City Cranes
The term "City Crane" means a small 2-axle mobile crane which is made to be utilized specially in tight places where standard cranes could not venture. These city cranes are great alternatives for use within buildings or through gated areas.
City cranes were initially developed during the 1990s as a response to the increasing urban density in 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 single cab, a short chassis and a slanted retractable boom. The slanted retractable boom design takes up less space than a comparable horizontal boom would. Combined with the short chassis and the independent steering, the city crane could turn in tight spots which will be otherwise unobtainable by other crane designs.
Conventional Truck Crane
A traditional truck crane is a mobile crane which has a lattice boom. The lattice boom is substantially lighter in weight compared to a hydraulic truck crane boom. The many sections on a lattice boom can be added so that the crane can reach over and up an obstacle. Conventional truck cranes do not lower and raise their loads using any hydraulic power and require separate power in order to move down and up.
The first ever Speedcrane was made by Manitowoc. It was a successful equipment even if further adjustments needed to be added. Manitowoc hired Roy Moore as a crane designer to help streamline the design. He understood 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.