Crawler Crane
The crawler crane is a specific kind of mobile crane which is offered with either a telescopic boom or a lattice boom that moves upon crawler tracks. Because this model is a self-propelled crane, it could move around a jobsite and accomplishing tasks without a lot of set-up. Because of their enormous size and weight, crawler cranes are are hard to transport from one location to another and are rather costly. The crawler's tracks provide the equipment stability and allow the crane to work without the use of outriggers, although, there are some units which do use outriggers. As well, the tracks provide the movement of the equipment.
Early Mobile Cranes
The very first mobile cranes were initially mounted to train cars. They moved along short rail lines which were specifically built for the project. Once the 20th century arrived, the crawler tractor evolved and this brought the introduction of crawler tracks to the construction industry and the agricultural business. Not long after, the crawler tracks were adopted by excavators and this further showcased the versatility of the machinery. It was not long after before crane manufacturers decided that the crawler track market was a safe bet.
The First Crawler Crane
In the 1920s, Northwest Engineering, a crane manufacturer in the United States, mounted its first crane on crawler tracks. It described the new equipment as a "locomotive crane, independent of tracks and moveable under its own power." By the middle part of the 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 amongst the first to attempt to replicate rail lines for cranes. Made in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the Speedcrane was 15 ton, wheel-mounted, steam-powered crane. During 1925, a company known as Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co, from Manitowoc, Wisconsin recognized the potential and the marketability of the tracked crane. They decided to team up with the Moore brothers so as to manufacture it and go into business.