City Cranes
"City Crane" is a term used to define small 2-axle mobile cranes which could operate in compact spaces where the standard crane could not access. These city cranes are great choices for use through gated areas or in buildings.
City cranes were initially developed in the 1990s as a response to the increasing urban density within Japan. There are continually new construction projects cramming their ways into the cities in Japan, making it vital for a crane to have the ability to steer through the nooks and crannies of Japanese streets.
Essentially, 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 single cab, a short chassis and a slanted retractable boom. The slanted retractable boom design takes up a lot less space than a comparable horizontal boom would. Combined with the independent steering and the short chassis, the city crane is capable of turning in compact spots that will be otherwise unobtainable by other crane designs.
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 could be added so that the crane could reach over and up an obstacle. Conventional truck cranes do not lower and raise their loads with any hydraulic power and require separate power in order to move up and down.
The very first ever Speedcrane was built by Manitowoc. It was a successful device even though further adjustments had to be added. 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.