Hydraulic truck cranes are a specific type of mobile crane. These cranes utilize hydraulics and could lift thousands of pounds. Hydraulics makes use of forces being transmitted through oil pushing on the pistons of the boom in opposite directions so as to lift thousands of pounds. Hydraulic truck cranes are very important in building major projects like airports, bridges, roads and buildings. A crane could accomplish in minutes jobs that will normally take hundreds of men and many hours to complete.
The vast machines are normally utilized in the building of cities, homes, entire nations and individual buildings throughout the ages. Even the Great Pyramids within Egypt were probably constructed with the help of basic cranes to enable the heaviest materials in one of the most amazing construction projects ever.
The very first representation of a crane was showcased during King Ramses' reign in Egypt during 3000 B.C. This was a portrayal of a lifting device which was used to collect water. The first official "cranes" appeared in Ancient Greece. These devices were used to build a whole country during the 5th century B.C.
These cranes were originally made out of wood. The designs of cranes began to change when dockyards started to need stronger and bigger machines. Hick & Rothwell developed the first cast iron cranes within Bolton, England, during 1834. This machinery can lift up to 2 tons. That 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 more durable and stronger. This addition enabled cranes to have a bigger capacity for lifting 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 build cast iron cranes 4 years later. The first cast iron crane built by Germany was built in Neuburg.