City Cranes
"City Crane" is a term used to define small 2-axle mobile cranes that can operate in compact spaces where the standard crane could not access. These city cranes are great choices to be used through gated areas or inside buildings.
During the 1990s, city cranes were initially developed in response to the growing urban density within Japan. There are always 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 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 slanted retractable boom, a single cab and a short chassis. 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 can turn in tight spots which 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 substantially lighter in weight compared to a hydraulic truck crane boom. The multiple sections on a lattice boom are able to be added so that the crane could reach up and over an obstacle. Traditional truck cranes do not raise and lower their cargo using any hydraulic power and need separate power in order to move up and down.
The first ever Speedcrane was made by Manitowoc. It was a successful machine even if further adjustments had to be added. Manitowoc hired Roy Moore as a crane designer to help streamline the design. He understood the industry was moving towards internal combustion engines from original steam powered methods and designed his crane to change with the times. The Speedcrane was redesigned for a gasoline engine.