In the crane industry, the all-terrain crane is a luxury type of a mobile hydraulic crane. The reputation of this particular crane is like driving a Hummer or a Range Rover on pavement. All-terrain cranes are considered to be a hybrid between a rough terrain crane and mobile truck crane. Another remarkable feature of this machine is its multi-functional ability to be able to traverse through all types of off-road terrain. Amongst the main selling features of this specific crane is that it travels equally well at high speeds down highways.
The First Rough Terrain Crane
Grove launched the very first rough terrain crane to the market during the year 1959. The crane was designed for the intended application of being a multi-purpose device for application on construction sites. The industrial strength of the crane's tires could handle all types of tricky terrain and is able to move small loads in carry mode. During the 1970s, the 4 axle Super-RT 1650 model was launched by Grove. This model has an 82.8 meter or 270 foot height under hook in production, in addition to a 135 ton lifting capacity. At the end of the day, the rough terrain crane would become the company's most notable equipment through the years.
The Crane's Disadvantages
The rough terrain crane is not without its drawbacks as could not be driven on public roads with any other traffic. Japan is the one nation that has made this rule an exception. Furthermore, another problem happened when the lowered boom on the crane tended to block the left and right views of the driver, which depends upon how the cap was placed. These issues with the design of the crane ended up being both serious and dangerous and lead to lots of RT crane accidents, particularly when turning. As a result, lowboys, flatbeds, low-loaders were used as the primary way of moving rough terrain cranes.