City Cranes
"City Crane" is a term utilized to define small 2-axle mobile cranes that could operate in tight areas where the typical crane could not access. These city cranes are popular choices to be used through gated places or in buildings.
During the 1990s, city cranes were initially developed in response to the growing urban density in Japan. There are continually new construction projects cramming their ways into Japanese cities, making it necessary for a crane to have the ability to maneuver through the nooks and crannies of Japanese streets.
Essentially, city cranes are small rough terrain cranes which are made to be road legal. These cranes are characterized by having a 2-axle design with independent steering on each axle, a short chassis, a slanted retractable boom and a single cab. 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 could turn in compact spots which will be otherwise unaccessible by other crane models.
Conventional Truck Crane
A traditional truck crane is a mobile crane which has a lattice boom. The lattice boom is significantly lighter in weight compared to a hydraulic truck crane boom. The many sections on a lattice boom could be added so that the crane could 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 with any hydraulic power.
Manitowoc made the very first ever Speedcrane. It proved to be a successful machine although many 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 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.