In the crane industry, the all-terrain crane is a luxury type of a mobile hydraulic crane. The reputation of this 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 remarkable feature of this specific machinery is its multi-functional ability to be able to navigate through all kinds of off-road terrain. Amongst the main selling characteristics of this specific crane is that it travels equally well at top speeds down highways.
The 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 device for use on construction locations. The crane's tires have the industrial strength which is capable of handling all kinds of tricky terrain and can transport small loads in carry mode. In the 1970s, the 4 axle Super-RT 1650 model was launched by Grove. This unit 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 would become the company's most remarkable machine over the years.
The Crane's Disadvantages
Amongst the major disadvantages 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. Additionally, another problem happened when the lowered boom on the crane tended to block the left and right views of the driver, depending on how the cap was positioned. These issues with the design of the crane ended up being both dangerous and severe and result in many accidents with RT cranes, particularly when turning. Thus, low-loaders, lowboys, flatbeds were utilized as the primary way of moving rough terrain cranes.