In the crane industry, the all-terrain crane is a luxury kind of a mobile hydraulic crane. The reputation of this particular crane is like driving a Range Rover or a Hummer on pavement. All-terrain cranes are considered to be a hybrid between a rough terrain crane and mobile truck crane. Another great feature of this particular machinery is its multi-functional ability to be able to navigate through all kinds of off-road terrain. Amongst the main selling features of this specific crane is that it travels equally well at top speeds down highways.
The Very First Rough Terrain Crane
Grove introduced the first rough terrain crane to the market during 1959. The crane was designed for the intended use of being a multi-purpose machinery for use on construction sites. The industrial strength of the crane's tires can handle all types of tricky terrain and can move small loads in carry mode. In the 1970s, Grove introduced the 4 axle Super-RT 1650 model. This particular unit has a 270 foot or 82.8 meter height under hook in production, along with a 135 ton lifting capacity. At the end of the day, the rough terrain crane would become the company's most remarkable machinery through the years.
The Crane's Drawbacks
The rough terrain crane is not without its drawbacks since it is not able to be driven on public highways with any other traffic. Japan is the one nation that has made this rule an exception. Furthermore, another issue happened when the crane's lowered boom tended to block the driver's left and right views, that depends upon how the cap was placed. These problems with the crane's design ended up being both hazardous and severe and result in numerous RT crane accidents, specially while turning. As a result, flatbeds, low-loaders, lowboys were adopted as the primary means of transporting rough terrain cranes.