The all-terrain crane is considered within the crane industry as being a luxury model of a mobile hydraulic crane. It has the status of being similar to driving a Hummer or a Range Rover 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 machinery is its multi-functional ability to be able to traverse through all kinds of off-road terrain. Amongst the main selling features of this crane is that it travels equally well at top speeds down roads.
The First Rough Terrain Crane
Grove introduced the first rough terrain crane to the market in 1959. The crane was designed for the intended application of being a multi-purpose machine for use on construction sites. The industrial strength of the crane's tires is capable of handling all types of difficult terrain and is able to transport small loads in carry mode. In the 1970s, the 4 axle Super-RT 1650 model was launched by Grove. This particular model has a 270 foot or 82.8 meter height under hook in production, together with 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
Among the main drawbacks of the rough terrain crane was the issue that it was not capable of being driven on public highways with any other traffic. Japan was the only nation in the globe which would make an exception to this rule. Moreover, one more issue happened when the lowered boom on the crane tended to block the driver's right and left views, which depends upon how the cap was placed. These problems with the design of the crane ended up being serious and dangerous and lead to lots of RT crane accidents, specially while turning. Thus, low-loaders, lowboys, flatbeds were utilized as the primary method of transporting rough terrain cranes.