The hydraulic truck crane is a specialized mobile crane that utilizes hydraulic power to lift and move thousands of pounds. Hydraulics utilizes forces being transmitted through oil pushing in opposite directions on the pistons of the boom so as to lift thousands of pounds. Hydraulic truck cranes are really vital in constructing major projects such as airports, bridges, streets and buildings. A crane could accomplish in minutes tasks which will normally take hundreds of men and many hours to accomplish.
The vast equipments are usually used in the construction of cities, houses, entire nations and individual buildings throughout the ages. Even Egypt's Great Pyramids were probably constructed utilizing basic cranes to enable the heaviest materials in one of the most remarkable construction projects ever.
The very first representation of a crane was featured during King Ramses' reign within Egypt during 3000 B.C. This was a portrayal of a lifting device that was utilized to collect water. The very first official "cranes" appeared in Ancient Greece. These devices were utilized to build a whole nation throughout the 5th century B.C.
These cranes were originally made out of wood. The designs of cranes started to change when dockyards began to need stronger and larger equipments. Hick & Rothwell developed the first cast iron cranes in Bolton, England, during the year 1834. This machine can lift as much as 2 tons. That very same year, the addition of wire rope was 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 bigger capacity to lift heavy weights.
The wire ropes were weaved together forming a more powerful rope with even more strength. The newly formed wire also added more flexibility. Germany started to make cast iron cranes 4 years later. The very first cast iron crane made by Germany was built within Neuburg.