City Cranes
"City Crane" is a term utilized to define small 2-axle mobile cranes which can operate in compact spaces where the typical crane cannot access. These city cranes are great choices for use through gated places or within buildings.
City cranes were originally 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 maneuver through the nooks and crannies of Japanese roads.
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 independent steering and the short chassis, the city crane could turn in tight spots that would be otherwise unobtainable by other crane models.
Conventional Truck Crane
Traditional truck cranes are mobile cranes with lattice booms. This boom is much lighter boom than is found with a hydraulic truck crane boom. The multiple sections on a lattice boom could be added so that the crane can reach over and up an obstacle. Traditional truck cranes do not raise and lower their cargo with any hydraulic power and require separate power in order to move down and up.
The first ever Speedcrane was built by Manitowoc. It was a successful device even though further adjustments needed 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 methods and designed his crane to change with the times. The Speedcrane was redesigned for a gasoline engine.