Crawler Crane
The crawler crane is a particular kind of mobile crane which is available with either a telescopic boom or a lattice boom that moves upon crawler tracks. Since this unit is a self-propelled crane, it is capable of moving around a jobsite and accomplishing jobs without a lot of set-up. Due to their enormous weight and size, crawler cranes are are difficult to transport from one site to another and are fairly costly. The crawler's tracks offer stability to the machinery and enable the crane to function without utilizing outriggers, however, there are several units that do utilize outriggers. Moreover, the tracks provide the equipment's movement.
Early Mobile Cranes
Originally, the very first mobile cranes were mounted to train cars and move along specifically made short rail lines. When the 20th century arrived, the crawler tractor evolved and this brought the introduction of crawler tracks to the construction business as well as the agricultural industry. Not long after, excavators adopted the crawler tracks and this further showcased the machine's versatility. It was not long after before manufacturers of cranes decided that the crawler track market was a safe bet.
The First Crawler Crane
Around the 1920s, Northwest Engineering, a crane company within the United States, mounted its very 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 mid-1920s, crawler tracks had become the preferred means of traction for heavy crane uses.
The Speedcrane
The Moore Speedcrane, developed by Charles and Ray Moore of Chicago, Illinois was among the first attempts to copy the rails for cranes. Made in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the Speedcrane was 15 ton, steam-powered, wheel-mounted crane. In 1925, a company referred to as Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co, from Manitowoc, Wisconsin recognized the tracked crane's potential and marketability. They decided to team up with the Moore brothers to be able to manufacture it and go into business.