City Cranes
"City Crane" is a term utilized to define small 2-axle mobile cranes which can operate in tight spaces where the standard crane could not access. These city cranes are great choices for use within buildings or through gated places.
City cranes were initially developed during 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 necessary for a crane to have the ability to maneuver through 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 short chassis, a slanted retractable boom and a single cab. The slanted retractable boom design takes up much 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 that will be otherwise unaccessible by other crane models.
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 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 raise and lower their cargo utilizing 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 knew 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.