City Cranes
"City Crane" is a term utilized to define small 2-axle mobile cranes that could operate in tight areas where the standard crane could not access. These city cranes are great choices to be utilized through gated areas or in buildings.
City cranes were initially developed during the 1990s as a response to the increasing urban density in 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 steer through the nooks and crannies of Japanese roads.
Basically, 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 short chassis, a slanted retractable boom and a single cab. 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 is capable of turning in compact spots that would be otherwise unaccessible by other kinds of cranes.
Conventional Truck Crane
A traditional truck crane is a mobile crane that has a lattice boom. The lattice boom is substantially lighter in weight compared to a hydraulic truck crane boom. The many sections on a lattice boom are able to be added so that the crane can reach over and up an obstacle. Conventional truck cranes need separate power in order to move down and up and do not raise and lower their loads with any hydraulic power.
Manitowoc made the very first ever Speedcrane. It proved to be a successful machine although many adjustments had to be added later on. Manitowoc hired Roy Moore as a crane designer to help streamline the design. He understood the industry was changing towards IC engines from original steam powered methods and designed his crane to change with the times. The Speedcrane was redesigned for a gasoline engine.