City Cranes
"City Crane" is a term utilized to define small 2-axle mobile cranes which can operate in compact spaces where the typical crane cannot access. These city cranes are great alternatives for use inside buildings or through gated areas.
City cranes were originally 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 necessary for a crane to have the ability to navigate 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 independent steering and the short chassis, the city crane is capable of turning in tight spots that would be otherwise unaccessible by other kinds 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. Conventional truck cranes need separate power to be able to move up and down and do not raise and lower their loads utilizing any hydraulic power.
The very first ever Speedcrane was made by Manitowoc. It was a successful device even if further adjustments had to be added. Manitowoc hired Roy Moore as a crane designer to help streamline the design. He knew the industry was changing 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.