In the crane business, the all-terrain crane is a luxury kind of a mobile hydraulic crane. The reputation of this particular crane is like 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 traverse through all kinds of off-road terrain. Among the main selling features of this particular crane is that it travels equally well at high speeds down highways.
The Very First Rough Terrain Crane
Grove launched the first rough terrain crane to the market in 1959. The crane was designed for the intended use of being a multi-purpose equipment for use on construction locations. The crane's tires have the industrial strength that could handle all kinds of difficult terrain and could transport small loads in carry mode. During the 1970s, Grove launched the 4 axle Super-RT 1650 model. This model has a 270 foot or 82.8 meter height under hook in production, in addition to a 135 ton lifting capacity. At the end of the day, the rough terrain crane will become the most remarkable equipment of the company over the years.
The Crane's Drawbacks
Among the major drawbacks of the rough terrain crane was the problem that it was not capable of being driven on public roads with any other traffic. Japan was the only country in the world that will make an exception to this rule. Furthermore, one more problem happened when the lowered boom on the crane tended to block the left and right views of the driver, that depends upon how the cap was placed. All the issues with the design of the crane ended up being hazardous and severe and lead to numerous RT crane mishaps, specially when turning. Thus, lowboys, flatbeds, low-loaders were used as the main method of transporting rough terrain cranes.