City Cranes
The term "City Crane" refers to a small 2-axle mobile crane that is designed to be utilized specifically in compact places where standard cranes could not venture. These city cranes are popular alternatives for use through gated areas or within buildings.
City cranes were initially developed in the 1990s as a response to the increasing urban density in Japan. There are continually new construction projects cramming their ways into Japanese cities, making it necessary for a crane to have the ability to steer through the nooks and crannies of Japanese streets.
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 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 independent steering and the short chassis, the city crane could turn in tight spots which would be otherwise unobtainable by other kinds of cranes.
Conventional Truck Crane
A conventional 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 multiple sections on a lattice boom can be added so that the crane can reach up and over an obstacle. Traditional truck cranes do not raise and lower their loads using any hydraulic power and need separate power in order to move down and up.
Manitowoc built the first ever Speedcrane. It proved to be a successful machine though many adjustments needed to be added later on. Manitowoc hired Roy Moore as a crane designer to help streamline the design. He knew 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.