Crawler Crane
The mobile crawler crane is particular crane designed with either a telescopic boom or a lattice boom. These move upon the crawlers tracks. Since this crane is self-propelled, it could move around particular work sites without the need for much set up. Due to their huge size and weight, crawler cranes are are hard to transport from one place to another and are fairly expensive. The crawler's tracks provide the equipment stability and enable the crane to work without using outriggers, however, there are several models that do use outriggers. In addition, the tracks provide the movement of the equipment.
Early Mobile Cranes
Initially, the very first mobile cranes were mounted to train cars and move along specially designed short rail lines. When the 20th century arrived, the crawler tractor evolved and this brought the introduction of crawler tracks to the construction industry and the agricultural industry. Not long after, the crawler tracks were adopted by excavators and this further showcased the machine's versatility. It was not long after when crane manufacturers decided that the crawler track market was a safe bet.
The Very First Crawler Crane
In the 1920s, Northwest Engineering, a crane company within the United States, mounted its very first crane on crawler tracks. 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 chosen means of traction for heavy crane uses.
The Speedcrane
Developed by Ray and Charles Moore of Chicago, Illinois; the Moore Speedcrane was among the first to attempt to replicate rail lines for cranes. Manufactured in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the Speedcrane was 15 ton, wheel-mounted, steam-powered crane. During the year 1925, a company known as Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co, from Manitowoc, Wisconsin recognized the tracked crane's potential and marketability. They decided to team up with the Moore brothers in order to manufacture it and go into business.