The all-terrain crane is considered within the crane industry as being a luxury kind of a mobile hydraulic crane. It has the reputation of being similar to 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 quality of this particular equipment is its multi-functional ability to be able to navigate through all types of off-road terrain. Amongst the main selling characteristics of this crane is that it travels equally well at high speeds down highways.
The First Rough Terrain Crane
Grove launched the first rough terrain crane to the market during the year 1959. The crane was designed for the intended use of being a multi-purpose machinery for application on construction sites. The crane's tires have the industrial strength which is capable of handling all types of tricky terrain and can transport small loads in carry mode. During the 1970s, Grove launched the 4 axle Super-RT 1650 model. This model has an 82.8 meter or 270 foot height under hook in production, in addition to a 135 ton lifting capacity. At the end of the day, the rough terrain crane would become the most notable machine of the company over the years.
The Crane's Drawbacks
Among the major drawbacks of the rough terrain crane was the issue that it was not capable of being driven on public highways with any other traffic. Japan was the only nation in the world that would make an exception to this rule. Furthermore, one more issue happened when the crane's lowered boom tended to block the right and left views of the driver, depending upon how the cap was placed. These problems with the crane's design ended up being dangerous and severe and lead to many RT crane accidents, specially when turning. As a result, flatbeds, low-loaders, lowboys were adopted as the primary means of moving rough terrain cranes.