Within the crane business, the all-terrain crane is a luxury model of a mobile hydraulic crane. The reputation of this particular crane is similar to driving a Hummer or a Range Rover on pavement. All-terrain cranes are considered to be a hybrid between a mobile truck crane and rough terrain crane. One more remarkable feature of this machinery is its multi-functional ability to be able to navigate through all types of off-road terrain. Amongst the main selling features of this 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 application of being a multi-purpose equipment for application on construction sites. The crane's tires have the industrial strength that can handle all kinds of tricky terrain and can move 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, in addition to a 135 ton lifting capacity. At the end of the day, the rough terrain crane would become the company's most remarkable machine through the years.
The Crane's Disadvantages
The rough terrain crane is not without its disadvantages as it is not able to be driven on public highways with any other traffic. Japan is the one nation that has made this rule an exception. In addition, one more problem occurred when the crane's lowered boom 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 both hazardous and severe and lead to lots of RT crane mishaps, particularly while turning. Thus, flatbeds, low-loaders, lowboys were used as the primary means of transporting rough terrain cranes.