City Cranes
"City Crane" is a term utilized to define small 2-axle mobile cranes which can operate in tight areas where the typical crane cannot access. These city cranes are popular alternatives for use inside buildings or through gated areas.
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 necessary for a crane to have the ability to maneuver through the nooks and crannies of Japanese roads.
Essentially, city cranes are small rough terrain cranes which 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 a lot less space than a comparable horizontal boom would. Combined with the independent steering and the short chassis, the city crane is capable of turning in tight spots that will be otherwise unaccessible by other crane models.
Conventional Truck Crane
A traditional truck crane is a mobile crane which has a lattice boom. The lattice boom is significantly lighter in weight than a hydraulic truck crane boom. The many sections on a lattice boom can be added so that the crane can reach up and over an obstacle. Traditional truck cranes do not raise and lower their loads with any hydraulic power and need separate power to be able to move up and down.
The first ever Speedcrane was built by Manitowoc. It was a successful device even though further adjustments needed to be added. Manitowoc hired Roy Moore as a crane designer to help streamline the design. He understood the industry was changing towards internal combustion engines from original steam powered means and designed his crane to change with the times. The Speedcrane was redesigned for a gasoline engine.