City Cranes
"City Crane" is a term used to define small 2-axle mobile cranes which could operate in tight spaces where the typical crane cannot access. These city cranes are great choices for use through gated places or within buildings.
In the 1990s, city cranes were initially developed in response to the growing urban density in Japan. There are always new construction projects cramming their ways into Japanese cities, making it vital for a crane to have the ability to navigate the nooks and crannies of Japanese roads.
Basically, city cranes are small rough terrain cranes which 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 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 unobtainable by other crane models.
Conventional Truck Crane
A traditional truck crane is a mobile crane that 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 over and up an obstacle. Traditional truck cranes require separate power in order to move down and up and do not lower and raise their loads utilizing any hydraulic power.
Manitowoc built the very first ever Speedcrane. It proved to be a successful device although a lot of adjustments needed 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.