The all-terrain crane is considered within the crane business as being a luxury type of a mobile hydraulic crane. It has the status of being similar to driving a Range Rover or a Hummer on pavement. All-terrain cranes are considered to be a hybrid between a mobile truck crane and rough terrain crane. One more remarkable quality of this specific machine is its multi-functional ability to be able to navigate through all kinds of off-road terrain. One of the main selling features of this crane is that it travels equally well at top speeds down highways.
The Very First Rough Terrain Crane
The first rough terrain crane was put on the market by Grove during the year 1959. The crane was intended for use and designed to handle many tasks on construction sites. The industrial strength of the crane's tires could handle all types of tricky terrain and could transport small loads in carry mode. During the 1970s, Grove introduced the 4 axle Super-RT 1650 model. This model has an 82.8 meter or 270 foot height under hook in production, together with a 135 ton lifting capacity. At the end of the day, the rough terrain crane will become the most remarkable machine of the company over the years.
The Crane's Drawbacks
Among the main disadvantages 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 world which will make an exception to this rule. Moreover, another problem occurred when the lowered boom on the crane tended to block the right and left views of the driver, which depends upon how the cap was positioned. These problems with the design of the crane ended up being severe and hazardous and result in many accidents with RT cranes, specially when turning. Therefore, lowboys, flatbeds, low-loaders were adopted as the main way of transporting rough terrain cranes.