Crawler Crane
The crawler crane is a specific type of mobile crane that is offered with either a telescopic boom or a lattice boom which moves upon crawler tracks. Because this model is a self-propelled crane, it is capable of moving around a jobsite and accomplishing tasks without a lot of set-up. Because of their enormous weight and size, crawler cranes are are difficult to transport from one location to another and are rather pricey. The crawler's tracks provide stability to the equipment and enable the crane to function without the use of outriggers, although, there are several units which do utilize outriggers. Additionally, the tracks provide the movement of the equipment.
Early Mobile Cranes
Originally, the first mobile cranes were mounted to train cars and move along specially made short rail lines. When the 20th century arrived, the crawler tractor evolved and this brought the introduction of crawler tracks to the agricultural business as well as the construction business. Not long after, the crawler tracks were adopted by excavators and this further featured the versatility of the machinery. It was not long after when manufacturers of cranes decided that the crawler track market was a safe bet.
The First Crawler Crane
Northwest Engineering, a crane company within the USA, was the very first to mount its crane on crawler tracks during the 1920s. It described the new equipment as a "locomotive crane, independent of tracks and moveable under its own power." By the mid-1920s, crawler tracks had become the preferred means of traction for heavy crane uses.
The Speedcrane
Developed by Charles and Ray Moore of Chicago, Illinois; the Moore Speedcrane was amongst the first to attempt to replicate rail lines for cranes. Made within Fort Wayne, Indiana, the Speedcrane was 15 ton, steam-powered, wheel-mounted crane. In the year 1925, a company known as Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co, from Manitowoc, Wisconsin recognized the tracked crane's marketability and potential. They decided to team up with the Moore brothers so as to produce it and go into business.