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 mobile truck crane and rough terrain crane. One more great quality of this machinery is its multi-functional ability to be able to navigate through all kinds of off-road terrain. Amongst the main selling characteristics of this crane is that it travels equally well at high speeds down roads.
The First Rough Terrain Crane
The very first rough terrain crane was put on the market by Grove in 1959. The crane was intended for use and designed to handle various tasks on construction sites. The crane's tires have the industrial strength which is capable of handling all types of difficult terrain and can 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, together with a 135 ton lifting capacity. At the end of the day, the rough terrain crane will become the company's most notable equipment over the years.
The Crane's Disadvantages
Among the main disadvantages of the rough terrain crane was the problem that it was not capable of being driven on public highways with any other traffic. Japan was the only country within the globe that will make an exception to this rule. Furthermore, another issue happened when the lowered boom on the crane tended to block the right and left views of the driver, that depends upon how the cap was positioned. All these issues with the design of the crane ended up being severe and hazardous and lead to numerous accidents with RT cranes, particularly when turning. As a result, flatbeds, low-loaders, lowboys were adopted as the primary method of moving rough terrain cranes.