City Cranes
"City Crane" is a term utilized to define small 2-axle mobile cranes which could operate in tight areas where the standard crane could not access. These city cranes are popular alternatives to be utilized in buildings or through gated places.
City cranes were initially developed in 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 vital for a crane to have the ability to navigate the nooks and crannies of Japanese roads.
Basically, city cranes are small rough terrain cranes that are made 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 independent steering and the short chassis, the city crane could turn in tight spots which would be otherwise unaccessible by other types of cranes.
Conventional Truck Crane
A conventional truck crane is a mobile crane which has a lattice boom. The lattice boom is significantly lighter in weight compared to a hydraulic truck crane boom. The multiple sections on a lattice boom could be added so that the crane can reach up and over an obstacle. Traditional truck cranes require separate power to be able to move up and down and do not raise and lower their cargo with any hydraulic power.
Manitowoc made the very first ever Speedcrane. It proved to be a successful machine though many adjustments had to be added later on. 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.