City Cranes
The term "City Crane" refers to a small 2-axle mobile crane that is made to be utilized specifically in tight places where regular cranes are unable to venture. These city cranes are popular choices for use through gated places or within buildings.
City cranes were initially developed in the 1990s as a response to the increasing urban density within Japan. There are always 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 streets.
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 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 is capable of turning in tight spots which would be otherwise unobtainable by other crane designs.
Conventional Truck Crane
A conventional truck crane is a mobile crane that 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 can be added so that the crane could reach up and over an obstacle. Traditional truck cranes need separate power in order to move up and down and do not lower and raise their loads with any hydraulic power.
Manitowoc made the first ever Speedcrane. It proved to be a successful device although many 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 methods and designed his crane to change with the times. The Speedcrane was redesigned for a gasoline engine.