City Cranes
The term "City Crane" refers to a small 2-axle mobile crane that is made to be utilized specially in compact places where standard cranes can not venture. These city cranes are popular alternatives for use through gated areas or within buildings.
City cranes were initially developed in 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 vital for a crane to have the ability to steer through the nooks and crannies of Japanese streets.
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 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 is capable of turning in tight spots that would be otherwise unaccessible by other types of cranes.
Conventional Truck Crane
Traditional 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 to be able to move down and up and do not lower and raise their loads using any hydraulic power.
The very first ever Speedcrane was made by Manitowoc. It was a successful device even if further adjustments needed to be added. 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.