The all-terrain crane is considered within the crane industry as being a luxury type of a mobile hydraulic crane. It has the reputation 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. One more great feature of this machinery is its multi-functional ability to be able to traverse through all types of off-road terrain. Amongst the main selling characteristics of this specific crane is that it travels equally well at top speeds down roads.
The First Rough Terrain Crane
Grove introduced the very first rough terrain crane to the market during the year 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 which could handle all kinds of difficult terrain and could move small loads in carry mode. In the 1970s, the 4 axle Super-RT 1650 model was launched by Grove. This particular unit 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 notable equipment over the years.
The Crane's Disadvantages
Among the main disadvantages of the rough terrain crane was the problem that it was not capable of being driven on public highways with any other traffic. Japan was the only country within the world that will make an exception to this rule. Furthermore, one more problem occurred when the crane's lowered boom tended to block the left and right views of the driver, which depends upon how the cap was placed. All these issues with the design of the crane ended up being both serious and hazardous and lead to numerous accidents with RT cranes, particularly while turning. Therefore, lowboys, flatbeds, low-loaders were adopted as the primary means of transporting rough terrain cranes.