The hydraulic truck crane is a specific mobile crane that utilizes hydraulic power to raise and move thousands of pounds. Hydraulics uses forces being transmitted through oil pushing on the pistons of the boom in opposite directions in order to lift thousands of pounds. Hydraulic truck cranes are vital in constructing major projects like for instance bridges, airports, roadways and buildings. A crane could accomplish in minutes tasks which will normally take many hours and hundreds of men to accomplish.
These impressive equipments have played a vital part in building houses, cities, individual buildings and entire nations throughout the ages. Even the Great Pyramids in Egypt were likely built with the help of basic cranes to enable the heaviest materials in one of the most amazing construction projects ever.
The first representation of a crane was showcased during the reign of King Ramses in Egypt during 3000 B.C. This was a portrayal of a lifting mechanism which was used to collect water. The first official "cranes" appeared during Ancient Greece. These mechanism were used to build an entire country during the 5th century B.C.
Initially, cranes were first made out of wood. It wasn't until the designers building dockyards decided they required something stronger and bigger did these machinery develop. Hick & Rothwell developed the first cast iron cranes in 1834, within Bolton, England. This equipment was capable of lifting up to 2 tons. That same year, wire ropes were added to the crane by an Official of the German Superior Board, Herr Albert Sr. The wire rope made the crane stronger and more durable. This addition allowed cranes to have a larger capacity to lift heavy weights.
Ultimately, the wire ropes were weaved together to be able to form an even more powerful strength. This wire formation also brought the added benefit of flexibility. Germany began to build cast iron cranes 4 years later. The first cast iron crane made by Germany was built within Neuburg.