History of the Tournacrane

    May 14, 2025
    Robert G. LeTourneau developed single-axle cranes.
    Maier-Dailey Papers, HCEA Archives
    This model TC3 illustrates perhaps the best-known LeTourneau crane, the Tournacrane, powered and propelled by a Tournapull prime mover. Its descendants were produced into the late 1960s.
    This model TC3 illustrates perhaps the best-known LeTourneau crane, the Tournacrane, powered and propelled by a Tournapull prime mover. Its descendants were produced into the late 1960s.

    Among his dozens and dozens of innovative machine concepts, Robert G. LeTourneau developed a line of single-axle cranes that were operated by cable from a tractor’s cable control unit (another device LeTourneau perfected).

    Other LeTourneau innovations

    The line encompassed numerous designs and models; the most well-known series, the Tournacranes that were used behind his single-axled Tournapull prime movers, was continued by successors LeTourneau-Westinghouse and Wabco until being phased out the late 1960s. Here is a small sampling of early examples of LeTourneau’s amazing mobile cranes.

    Maier-Dailey Papers, HCEA Archives
    Most towed LeTourneau cranes were designed to be pulled and powered by a tractor and operated from it. This variant of the M20 series, built for the U.S. Army during World War II, is pulled by a 6x6 truck and has its own engine and operator’s station.
    Most towed LeTourneau cranes were designed to be pulled and powered by a tractor and operated from it. This variant of the M20 series, built for the U.S. Army during World War II, is pulled by a 6x6 truck and has its own engine and operator’s station.
    The basic towed crane design, illustrated by an M20 built for the US Army. The boom pivots down and back at the axle for transport.
    The basic towed crane design, illustrated by an M20 built for the US Army. The boom pivots down and back at the axle for transport.
    The Front End Caster Crane reversed the usual design in that the tractor pushed the crane. The rubber tires were on free-revolving bogies, and the cable control unit remained on the back of the tractor.
    The Front End Caster Crane reversed the usual design in that the tractor pushed the crane. The rubber tires were on free-revolving bogies, and the cable control unit remained on the back of the tractor.
    Maier-Dailey Papers, HCEA Archives
    Early towed cranes were identified simply by the boom length. This is a 20 Foot, operated by a short-nosed version of a C Tournapull.
    Early towed cranes were identified simply by the boom length. This is a 20 Foot, operated by a short-nosed version of a C Tournapull.
    Maier-Dailey Papers, HCEA Archives
    The great majority of towed cranes rode on rubber tires, but some early models had steel wheels. This 40 Foot, named for the height of the boom, is powered by a John Deere wheel tractor with the operator’s station reversed; this, or a similar tractor, also served as the prototype for LeTourneau’s Tournadozer wheel dozers.
    The great majority of towed cranes rode on rubber tires, but some early models had steel wheels. This 40 Foot, named for the height of the boom, is powered by a John Deere wheel tractor with the operator’s station reversed; this, or a similar tractor, also served as the prototype for LeTourneau’s Tournadozer wheel dozers.

    About the HCEA

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    The Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA) is a 501(c )3 non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of the construction, dredging and surface mining equipment industries. With over 3,500 members in a dozen countries, our activities include operation of National Construction Equipment Museum and archives in Bowling Green, Ohio; publication of a quarterly magazine, Equipment Echoes, in which this material will be used in a future article, and hosting an annual working exhibition of restored construction equipment. Individual annual memberships are $45.00 within the USA and Canada, and $65.00 US elsewhere. Our next International Convention and Old Equipment Exposition will be September 18-20, 2025, at our Museum. We seek to develop relationships in the equipment manufacturing industry, and we offer a college scholarship for engineering students. Information is available at www.hcea.net, or by calling 419-352-5616 or e-mailing [email protected].

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    About the Author

    Tom Berry

    Tom Berry is archivist for the Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA). Information is available at www.hcea. net, or by calling 419.352.5616 or e-mailing [email protected].