City Cranes
"City Crane" is a term utilized to define small 2-axle mobile cranes which can operate in compact areas where the standard crane cannot access. These city cranes are great alternatives for use in buildings or through gated places.
City cranes were initially developed during the 1990s as a response to the increasing urban density within Japan. There are continually new construction projects cramming their ways into the cities in Japan, making it vital for a crane to have the ability to steer through the nooks and crannies of Japanese streets.
Essentially, city cranes are small rough terrain cranes that are made to be road legal. These cranes are characterized by having a 2-axle design with independent steering on each axle, a single cab, a short chassis and a slanted retractable boom. The slanted retractable boom design takes up less space than a comparable horizontal boom would. Combined with the short chassis and the independent steering, the city crane can turn in compact spots that will be otherwise unobtainable by other types of cranes.
Conventional Truck Crane
Conventional truck cranes are mobile cranes with lattice booms. This boom is a lot lighter boom than is found with a hydraulic truck crane boom. The multiple sections on a lattice boom are able to be added so that the crane can reach over and up an obstacle. Traditional truck cranes need separate power in order to move up and down and do not raise and lower their cargo with any hydraulic power.
Manitowoc built the very first ever Speedcrane. It proved to be a successful device though many adjustments needed to be added later on. Manitowoc hired Roy Moore as a crane designer to help streamline the design. He knew the industry was moving towards IC engines from original steam powered means and designed his crane to change with the times. The Speedcrane was redesigned for a gasoline engine.