City Cranes
"City Crane" is a term utilized to define small 2-axle mobile cranes that could operate in compact spaces where the standard crane could not access. These city cranes are popular alternatives to be used through gated areas or within buildings.
During the 1990s, city cranes were originally developed in response to the growing urban density within Japan. There are always new construction projects cramming their ways into the cities in Japan, making it necessary 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 short chassis, a slanted retractable boom and a single cab. The slanted retractable boom design takes up a lot less space than a comparable horizontal boom would. Combined with the short chassis and the independent steering, the city crane can turn in tight spots which will be otherwise unaccessible by other types of cranes.
Conventional Truck Crane
Conventional truck cranes are mobile cranes with lattice booms. This boom is much lighter boom than is found with a hydraulic truck crane boom. The many sections on a lattice boom can be added so that the crane could reach over and up an obstacle. Conventional truck cranes need separate power in order to move down and up and do not lower and raise their loads using any hydraulic power.
The first ever Speedcrane was built by Manitowoc. It was a successful device even if further adjustments had to be added. Manitowoc hired Roy Moore as a crane designer to help streamline the design. He knew 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.