Designed specifically for pick-and-carry operations, the rough terrain crane is used for building bridges, operations in power and chemical plants and refineries and for large-scale construction projects.
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[edit] History
[edit] The First Rough Terrain Crane
In 1959 Grove introduced the first rough terrain crane to market. The crane was meant to be a multi-purpose machine for use on construction sites. The crane’s industrial strength tires could handle all kinds of difficult terrain and could transport small loads in carry mode. The rough terrain crane would become Grove’s most notable product in the years to come, especially in the 1970s when the company launched the four-axle Super-RT 1650 with 135-ton lifting capacity and 270-foot (82.5 m) height under hook was in production.[1]
[edit] Success in the '70s
In the mid-1970s the rough terrain crane experienced a rather substantial boom in the worldwide market. For the first time, the rough terrain crane was available in the U.S. and Japanese markets and was soon a visible mainstay on many construction sites. The machine’s all-wheel drive and steering made them highly maneuverable and stable carriers for lifting and carrying substantial loads.[2]
[edit] The Crane's Disadvantages
One obvious drawback of the rough terrain crane early on was the fact that it could not be driven on public highways with other traffic, though Japan would make an exception to this rule. Also, the lowered boom on the crane tended to block the driver’s left and right views depending on the cab’s positioning. These glitches with the crane’s design proved to be quite hazardous leading to many serious accidents with RT cranes, particularly while turning. As a result, flatbeds, low-loaders, and lowboys were adopted as the primary means of transporting rough terrain cranes.[3]
[edit] Tadano's Single-engine Crane
In 1971, Tadano was the first manufacturer to develop a rough terrain crane with a single engine, introducing the concept of single-engine cranes to the crane industry. Power was delivered to a superstructure by a rotary transmission lead through from the carrier on a chassis. The company also developed the TR150 rough terrain crane with a 71-foot (21.5-m) hook height and capacity to lift 15 tons. The crane’s 135 horsepower engine was mounted at the rear end of the chassis.[4]
[edit] Features/How it Works
This heavy-duty industrial crane is typically transported by a truck or lowboy and uses outriggers that extend horizontally and vertically from the undercarriage to stabilize the crane when it is being hoisted. A telescopic boom featuring mulltiple extensions give the rough terrain crane a wide range of lift capacity.
All rough terrain cranes are powered by a single-engine with hydraulically operated winches mounted in the undercarriage. Similar to a crawler crane, the engine powers both the undercarriage and the crane.
[edit] Common Manufacturers
[edit] Additional Photos
