In the crane industry, the all-terrain crane is a luxury kind of a mobile hydraulic crane. The reputation of this particular crane is like 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. Another great quality of this specific machinery is its multi-functional ability to be able to traverse through all types of off-road terrain. Among the main selling characteristics of this particular crane is that it travels equally well at high speeds down roads.
The Very First Rough Terrain Crane
Grove introduced the very first rough terrain crane to the market in the year 1959. The crane was designed for the intended use of being a multi-purpose machine for application on construction sites. The crane's tires have the industrial strength that 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 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 most notable equipment of the company through the years.
The Crane's Disadvantages
One of the major drawbacks 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 in the globe that would make an exception to this rule. Moreover, another problem happened when the crane's lowered boom tended to block the driver's right and left views, that depends upon how the cap was positioned. These problems with the design of the crane ended up being dangerous and serious and result in numerous accidents with RT cranes, particularly while turning. Thus, low-loaders, lowboys, flatbeds were adopted as the primary method of moving rough terrain cranes.