Crawler Crane
The mobile crawler crane is particular crane made with either a lattice boom or a telescopic boom. These move upon the crawlers tracks. Since this crane is self-propelled, it can move around certain work locations without the need for much set up. Because of their enormous weight and size, crawler cranes are rather pricey and even difficult to transport from one site to another. The crawler's tracks provide the machine stability and allow the crane to function without the use of outriggers, although, there are some units that do use outriggers. In addition, the tracks provide the movement of the machine.
Early Mobile Cranes
Originally, the first mobile cranes were mounted to train cars and move along specially made short rail lines. Once the 20th century arrived, the crawler tractor evolved and this brought the introduction of crawler tracks to the agricultural business as well as the construction industry. Not long after, excavators adopted the crawler tracks and this further showcased the equipment's versatility. It was not long after before crane manufacturers decided that the crawler track market was a safe bet.
The Very First Crawler Crane
Northwest Engineering, a crane manufacturer in the United States, was the very first to mount its crane on crawler tracks during the 1920s. It described the new machine as a "locomotive crane, independent of tracks and moveable under its own power." By the mid-1920s, crawler tracks had become the preferred means of traction for heavy crane uses.
The Speedcrane
Developed by Charles and Ray Moore of Chicago, Illinois; the Moore Speedcrane was amongst the first to attempt to replicate rail lines for cranes. Made within Fort Wayne, Indiana, the Speedcrane was a steam-powered, wheel-mounted, 15 ton crane. In the year 1925, a company known as Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co, from Manitowoc, Wisconsin recognized the marketability and the potential of the tracked crane. They decided to team up with the Moore brothers to be able to produce it and go into business.