You have to keep in mind the rating will be on short boom close in .It won't handle 36,000 pounds long boom extended over the side .
Ya, if you think it's gonna pick the max tonnage up with no stipulations, you don't know squat about cranes. These ratings are formulated with multiple pulleys, high angles, etc. The winches are good for around 4 ton, so you have to use the boom only when dealing with anything larger. Your chart is your right hand man, but newer cranes have an LMI, so it tells you all you need. Never go close to capacity with tree work, this isn't static lifting and you don't really know what any piece will weigh.
My crane is 11 ton, 54' of stick, 65' hook height. Obviously the reach isn't what you really want, but it can still do a massive amount of work. The key with a small boom truck is that you need to get as close as possible to the tree.
I would much rather have a crane than a bucket, just for the simple fact that it saves my back from picking anything up. Plus clean up is centered around the chipper. I could go on and on about other pluses, but ideally you want a bucket, big chipper, etc.
However, cranes aren't for everyone. You need to have experience climbing for and/or running them to be safe, or you will have an epic screw up. Where you put your strap is the most important part, but there are so many other factors that must be accounted for. Just watch some of the goof ups on youtube. The OP has obviously worked with a crane company, so he should understand what it takes to do it safely. Some people just haven't had the opportunity to work with a crane and buying one with no experience isn't a good mix.
My ideal removal setup: 30 ton crane (still on a small enough chassis to get just about anywhere and not damage most driveways), 75'/80' elevator bucket truck, large Pete chip truck and a 20" morbark/bandit chipper.
Maybe one day.
