City Cranes
"City Crane" is a term utilized to define small 2-axle mobile cranes which could operate in tight areas where the standard crane could not access. These city cranes are popular alternatives to be utilized through gated areas or in buildings.
In the 1990s, city cranes were initially developed in response to the growing urban density within Japan. There are continually new construction projects cramming their ways into Japanese cities, making it vital 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 which 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 a lot less space than a comparable horizontal boom would. Combined with the short chassis and the independent steering, the city crane could turn in compact spots that will be otherwise unobtainable by other crane designs.
Conventional Truck Crane
A conventional truck crane is a mobile crane which has a lattice boom. The lattice boom is significantly lighter in weight compared to a hydraulic truck crane boom. The multiple sections on a lattice boom could be added so that the crane can reach up and over an obstacle. Conventional truck cranes do not raise and lower their loads with any hydraulic power and require separate power in order to move up and down.
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 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.