City Cranes
"City Crane" is a term utilized to define small 2-axle mobile cranes which can operate in compact spaces where the standard crane cannot access. These city cranes are great alternatives for use through gated areas or inside buildings.
City cranes were originally developed during the 1990s as a response to the increasing urban density within 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 built 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 a lot 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 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 significantly lighter in weight than a hydraulic truck crane boom. The many sections on a lattice boom are able to be added so that the crane can reach over and up an obstacle. Traditional truck cranes require separate power in order to move up and down and do not lower and raise their cargo using any hydraulic power.
Manitowoc built the first ever Speedcrane. It proved to be a successful device though lots of adjustments had to be added later on. Manitowoc hired Roy Moore as a crane designer to help streamline the design. He understood 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.