HVAC & Air Conditioning Crane Lifts in Sydney

Getting an air conditioning unit onto a roof isn't always simple. When there's no lift, no safe stair access or the plant deck is several storeys up, a crane is often the safest and simplest way to get it there.


We handle HVAC crane lifts across Sydney, from single-storey homes and shops to apartment blocks and high-rise buildings. A licensed operator comes with every hire, and we'll work out the lift path with you before lift day.


Send us the unit details and a few photos of the site, and we'll recommend the right crane and send through a free quote.

Client Feedback

What clients say about BigLift Cranes

Nathan

Absolutely incredible workmanship!!! The crane operator and dogman work in unison the best I have ever seen.

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sabah soso

The team was professional, punctual and experienced, and they helped organise the right mobile crane for the job.

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Sydney Ozzy

They were on time, accurate, very caring and provided a great customer experience with a wealth of knowledge.

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Ben Moroney

They also dropped in a 6t spa into a tight slab penetration, working around difficult obstacles, all in one day’s work.

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K K

Very professional and easy to deal with! … I would absolutely recommend BigLift to anyone who needs complicated task to be done.

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1–2 of 5

HVAC and Air Conditioning Lifts We Handle

Our air conditioning crane service covers everything from a single outdoor unit to large commercial plant. We match the crane to the unit, the height and the site.

Homes and Small Businesses

We lift air conditioning units onto roofs and into hard-to-reach spots on single-storey homes and business premises.

Apartments and Multi-Storey Buildings

When a building has no practical way to get a unit up, we lift it straight to the rooftop or plant area.

Commercial Rooftop Units

We lift packaged rooftop units and condensers for offices, warehouses and other commercial buildings.

Chillers and Large Mechanical Plant

For chillers, generators and other large mechanical systems, we bring in a larger crane when the weight and reach call for it.

Old Unit Out, New Unit In

We can lift the old unit down and the new one up in the same booking, so your installer only has to organise one crane.

High-Rise Rooftops

Our larger all-terrain cranes give more height and reach, depending on the site and where the crane can set up.

What to Plan Before an HVAC Crane Lift

A crane can lift less the further the load is from it, so the unit's weight is only part of the picture. Before lift day, we look at four things together.

What we check:

01

Unit weight and lifting points
Send the unit's weight, dimensions and the manufacturer's lifting instructions. We use these details to choose the crane and rigging.

02

Height and distance
How high the unit needs to go, and how far it is from the crane, often matter as much as the weight.

03

Crane setup
We assess where the crane can set up, including outrigger space. A setup on the street may need council approval and traffic management.

04

Lift path and set-down
We plan around rooflines, parapets and powerlines. If the crane can't reach the unit's final position, your team will need a plan to move it from the set-down point. Make sure the roof or platform is ready to take it, too.

Want to understand the numbers? Our guides on how to read a crane load chart and how to calculate the right crane size explain how capacity changes with reach.

The Right Crane for HVAC Work

Our fleet ranges from 16 to 130 tonnes rated capacity. The right HVAC crane depends on the unit, the height and how much room there is to set up.

Crane options for HVAC work:

Not sure which one you need? We'll recommend a crane once we have the unit details, or view our full fleet.

20 Tonne Franna

Pick-and-carry lifts where access, ground conditions and the load chart allow.

Franna crane hire

City Crane

Built-up suburbs and narrow streets where setup space is limited.

City crane hire

Larger All-Terrain Cranes

Taller buildings, heavier plant and longer reaches, up to our 130 tonne crane.

Heavy lift crane hire

HVAC Crane Lifts Planned Around Your Install

Whether you install HVAC systems every week or you're organising a one-off lift for your building, here's what to expect.

HVAC Contractors

HVAC Contractors & Installers

On site when your unit arrives

Your unit, crew and install day are locked in. You need a crane that turns up on time and lands the unit where you've planned.

  • Lift timed to your unit delivery and install
  • Send the spec sheet, and we'll sort the crane
  • Weekend and after-hours lifts where scheduling allows
Book a Lift
Building Managers & Property Owners

Building Managers & Property Owners

First time hiring a crane?

If your installer has asked you to organise the crane, don't worry. We'll talk you through it and sort out the details with your installer.

  • Help working out which crane you need
  • Cost explained before you commit
  • Lift planned around your building and neighbours
Get a Free Quote

Either way, call 1300 024 454 or send your details for a free quote.

What We Need for a Quote

The more we know upfront, the faster we can provide an accurate quote.

  • Unit make and model, weight and dimensions (from the spec sheet)
  • Approved lifting points or the manufacturer's lifting instructions
  • Site address and where the crane could set up
  • Roof or plant deck height, and its distance from the setup area
  • Anything in the way, such as powerlines, trees, parapets or neighbouring buildings
  • Whether an old unit also needs to come down
  • Your delivery date and any building access windows
  • Photos of the street, building and set-down area
Get a Free Quote
BigLift Cranes mobile crane set up for lifting work in Sydney

How an HVAC Crane Lift Works

Here's how it works, from your first call to lift day.

1

Send the details

Call or send the unit details and a few site photos.

2

Get your quote

We recommend the right crane and give you a free quote.

3

Book the lift

We line it up with your unit delivery and install schedule.

4

Lift day

The operator sets up, lifts the unit and lands it at the agreed set-down point for your installer.

How Much Does an Air Conditioning Crane Lift Cost?

The biggest factor is the crane itself, which depends on the unit weight, height and reach. Setup, time on site, rigging, traffic management and any approvals also affect the price. Every HVAC lift is quoted individually, free of charge.

Read our crane hire cost guide →

Areas We Service

Air Conditioning Crane Hire Across Sydney

Based in Old Guildford, we provide air conditioning crane hire across Sydney, from homes in the suburbs to commercial buildings in the CBD.

Eastern Suburbs

  • Bondi
  • Paddington
  • Maroubra
  • Bronte
  • Watsons Bay
  • Bondi Beach
  • Coogee
  • Randwick
  • Vaucluse
  • Double Bay

Inner West

  • Leichhardt
  • Newtown
  • Strathfield
  • Burwood
  • Haberfield
  • Summer Hill
  • Drummoyne
  • Marrickville
  • Ashfield
  • Balmain
  • Petersham
  • Dulwich Hill
  • Annandale

Northern Suburbs

  • Ryde
  • Gladesville
  • Macquarie Park
  • Lane Cove
  • Hornsby
  • North Turramurra
  • Killara
  • Mosman
  • Cremorne
  • Lindfield
  • Epping
  • Eastwood
  • North Sydney
  • Willoughby
  • Brooklyn
  • St Leonards
  • Hunters Hill
  • Greenwich
  • Neutral Bay

Northern Beaches

  • Manly
  • Brookvale
  • Narrabeen
  • Avalon Beach
  • Curl Curl
  • Balgowlah
  • Beacon Hill
  • Frenchs Forest
  • Dee Why
  • Mona Vale
  • Freshwater
  • Palm Beach
  • Seaforth
  • Allambie Heights
  • Belrose, Cromer
  • Warriewood

Hills District

  • Castle Hill
  • Kellyville
  • Dural
  • Norwest
  • Cherrybrook
  • Kenthurst
  • Beaumont Hills
  • The Gables
  • North Kellyville
  • Baulkham Hills
  • Rouse Hill
  • Bella Vista
  • West Pennant Hills
  • Glenhaven
  • Annangrove
  • Box Hill
  • Glenorie

North Shore

  • Chatswood
  • Lane Cove
  • Hornsby
  • Neutral Bay
  • Wollstonecraft
  • Kirribilli, St Leonards
  • Northbridge
  • Lindfield
  • Gordon
  • Mosman
  • Wahroonga
  • St Ives
  • Crows Nest
  • Lavender Bay
  • Artarmon
  • Roseville
  • Killara

South West

  • Liverpool
  • Bankstown
  • Edmondson Park
  • Oran Park
  • Ingleburn
  • Glenfield
  • Gregory Hills
  • Fairfield
  • Rosemeadow
  • Campbelltown
  • Moorebank
  • Leppington
  • Austral
  • Minto
  • Mount Annan
  • Camden
  • Hoxton Park

Sutherland Shire

  • Cronulla
  • Caringbah
  • Engadine
  • Sutherland
  • Sylvania
  • Kurnell
  • Como
  • Woronora
  • Miranda
  • Menai
  • Gymea
  • Kirrawee
  • Taren Point
  • Bundeena
  • Illawong
  • Heathcote

Sydney City

  • CBD
  • Ultimo
  • Redfern
  • Barangaroo
  • Camperdown
  • Darlinghurst
  • Dawes Point
  • Erskineville
  • Forest Lodge
  • Haymarket
  • Pyrmont
  • Surry Hills
  • Alexandria
  • Beaconsfield
  • Chippendale
  • Darlington
  • Elizabeth Bay
  • Eveleigh
  • Glebe
  • Millers Point

Lower Blue Mountains

  • Glenbrook
  • Blaxland
  • Mount Riverview
  • Warrimoo
  • Sun Valley
  • Winmalee
  • Faulconbridge
  • Woodford
  • Springwood
  • Lapstone
  • East Blaxland
  • Valley Heights
  • Hawkesbury Heights
  • Yellow Rock
  • Linden
  • Hazelbrook

Macarthur Region

  • Camden
  • Oran Park
  • Campbelltown
  • Macquarie Fields
  • Minto
  • Rosemeadow
  • Gregory Hills
  • Leppington
  • Tahmoor
  • Narellan
  • Mount Annan
  • Leumeah
  • Ingleburn
  • Raby
  • St Helens Park
  • Harrington Park
  • Picton

Canterbury-Bankstown

  • Earlwood
  • Revesby
  • Bankstown
  • Canterbury
  • Belmore
  • Padstow
  • Yagoona
  • Bass Hill
  • East Hills
  • Punchbowl
  • Greenacre
  • Campsie
  • Lakemba
  • Roselands
  • Panania
  • Wiley Park
  • Georges Hall

St George Area

  • Hurstville
  • Rockdale
  • Allawah
  • Banksia
  • Beverley Park
  • Mortdale
  • Peakhurst
  • Ramsgate
  • Kogarah
  • Blakehurst
  • Arncliffe
  • Bexley
  • Brighton-Le-Sands
  • Oatley
  • Penshurst
  • Sans Souci

Frequently Asked Questions

1

Can a crane lift an air conditioning unit onto my roof?

Often, yes. We assess the unit weight, reach, roofline, powerlines and setup area before confirming the lift.

2

What size crane do I need for an HVAC unit?

It depends on the unit weight, the height of the roof and how far it is from where the crane can set up. Send the spec sheet and photos, and we'll recommend a crane.

3

Can you remove the old unit and lift in the new one?

Yes, we can plan both lifts in the same booking. Mention the old unit when you enquire so we choose a crane that suits both.

4

Can you lift HVAC units onto high-rise buildings?

It depends on the building's height and how far the roof is from where the crane can set up. Our larger all-terrain cranes give the most height and reach, so send us the details and we'll confirm what's possible.

5

Do you do weekend or after-hours lifts?

Yes, where scheduling allows. Out-of-hours lifts can suit occupied buildings or busy streets.

6

Do I need council approval?

You might, if the crane needs to set up on the street or lift over a road or footpath. Traffic management may be needed too. Let us know about the site early so we can work out what needs arranging.

7

Do you install the unit?

We handle the lift only. Your HVAC installer connects and commissions the unit.

8

Is an operator included?

Yes. Every crane hire includes a licensed, experienced operator.

9

How much does an HVAC crane lift cost?

It depends on the crane size, reach, time on site and setup. Send the details for a free quote, or read our crane hire cost guide.

PLAN YOUR LIFT

Let's plan your HVAC lift

Tell us about the unit and where it needs to go. We'll recommend the right crane and organise a free quote.

Air conditioning units, rooftop plant and chillers
Homes, apartments and commercial buildings
HVAC contractors, building managers and property owners welcome

Need to talk through the lift?

Call 1300 024 454

info@biglift.com.au

Free quotes Sydney-wide 24/7 phone support

Request a Quote

Get your free lift quote

Share a few details and our team will get back to you.