Within the crane business, the all-terrain crane is a luxury type of a mobile hydraulic crane. The reputation of this particular crane is similar to driving a Range Rover or a Hummer on pavement. All-terrain cranes are considered to be a hybrid between a rough terrain crane and mobile truck crane. Another remarkable quality of this particular machinery is its multi-functional ability to be able to navigate through all types of off-road terrain. One of the main selling features of this crane is that it travels equally well at top speeds down roads.
The First Rough Terrain Crane
Grove launched the first rough terrain crane to the market in 1959. The crane was designed for the intended use of being a multi-purpose machinery for use on construction locations. The crane's tires have the industrial strength that can handle all types of tricky terrain and is able to transport small loads in carry mode. During 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, in addition to a 135 ton lifting capacity. At the end of the day, the rough terrain crane would become the most remarkable machinery of the company over the years.
The Crane's Drawbacks
The rough terrain crane is not without its drawbacks because could not be driven on public roads with any other traffic. Japan is the one country that has made this rule an exception. In addition, another issue happened when the lowered boom on the crane tended to block the driver's left and right views, that depends upon how the cap was positioned. These problems with the design of the crane ended up being serious and hazardous and lead to numerous accidents with RT cranes, specially when turning. As a result, flatbeds, low-loaders, lowboys were adopted as the main way of moving rough terrain cranes.