Mobile Cranes
Mobile cranes include any sort of crane that is mounted on a mobile vehicle on land, air or water. Their construction and abilities vary significantly, but most are used in the construction and engineering industries to lift, move and load heavy equipment and structural components. Some mobile cranes travel great distances and eliminate the need for transportation machinery, but cannot move faster than a couple miles an hour while lifting a load. Others are able to easily maneuver around a work site while moving large loads. They are most commonly seen as trucks, but helicopters, railroad vehicles and boats can also contain industrial cranes. Most land and water mobile cranes extend stabilizing components into the ground or water to prevent tipping accidents that heavy, uneven loads cause. These stabilizers are referred to as outriggers.
There are many mobile cranes that travel by land and are able to drive on highways or rough terrain. Highway mobile cranes are usually large trucks that can only move very slowly when holding a load to prevent tipping. Rough terrain mobile cranes are generally smaller, and perform like 4-wheel drive construction vehicles. These cranes can't lift as much as a highway crane, but are able to move faster with a load and exhibit better stability. Mobile water cranes are comprised of a truss or boom on a floating vessel. These are mostly used in waterway construction when building dams, ports and bridges. Mobile cranes that work on railroads have flanged wheels that can travel on rail tracks or are mounted on a railroad car. These are used in train maintenance and freight loading applications. Helicopters sometimes have cranes that lift loads in hard to reach places. These aerial cranes can lift great loads and are commonly used for rescue and disaster relief situations like wildfires or floods.