Crawler Crane
The crawler crane is a specific kind of mobile crane which is available with either a lattice boom or a telescopic boom that moves upon crawler tracks. Since this unit is a self-propelled crane, it could move around a jobsite and accomplishing jobs without much set-up. Because of their huge weight and size, crawler cranes are are difficult to transport from one site to another and are rather pricey. The crawler's tracks offer the equipment stability and enable the crane to work without utilizing outriggers, however, there are some units that do use outriggers. In addition, the tracks provide the movement of the machine.
Early Mobile Cranes
The first mobile cranes were originally mounted to train cars. They moved along short rail lines which were particularly made for the project. When the 20th century arrived, the crawler tractor changed and this brought the introduction of crawler tracks to the agricultural industry and the construction industry. Not long after, excavators adopted the crawler tracks and this further featured the versatility of the equipment. It was not long after when crane companies decided that the crawler track market was a safe bet.
The First Crawler Crane
Northwest Engineering, a crane company in the United States, was the first to mount its crane on crawler tracks during the 1920s. 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 operations.
The Speedcrane
Developed by Charles and Ray Moore of Chicago, Illinois; the Moore Speedcrane was among the first to attempt to replicate rail lines for cranes. Made within Fort Wayne, Indiana, the Speedcrane was 15 ton, steam-powered, wheel-mounted crane. During 1925, a company referred to 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 in order to produce it and go into business.