City Cranes
The term "City Crane" means a small 2-axle mobile crane which is made to be used specifically in tight areas where regular cranes are unable to venture. These city cranes are popular alternatives to be used inside buildings or through gated areas.
During the 1990s, city cranes were initially 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 navigate 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 short chassis, a slanted retractable boom and a single cab. 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 is capable of turning in compact spots which would 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 multiple sections on a lattice boom are able to be added so that the crane can reach up and over an obstacle. Conventional truck cranes do not lower and raise their loads with 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 machine even though further adjustments needed 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.