In 1964, brothers Michael, Lawrence, and Jeff Liptak founded ALL Erection & Crane Rental Corp. with a single used crane bought second-hand. That foundational machine, designated as Unit #0020 and known across the company as “Ol’ Number 20,” is a 1965 American truck crane with a lifting capacity of 52.5 USt, carrying the company’s authentic orange-and-black fleet livery. Structurally, the machine reflects mid-century mechanical design. Instead of a solid metal boom, it features an open steel lattice boom that keeps deadweight low while retaining the structural strength required to handle heavy loads.
The hoisting mechanism relies on a classic setup of mechanical cables and drums rather than hydraulic cylinders. All operations were controlled through mechanical levers and foot pedals from the upper works cabin mounted on the superstructure, giving the operator an unobstructed line of sight to the rigging gear, load path, and cable drums. Road transport between job sites was handled from a separate lower cab positioned at the front of the carrier. The crane is built on a four-axle 8×4 truck frame, engineered for highway travel as well as rough terrain. On job sites, heavy mechanical outriggers extended outward and downward to lift the tires off the ground, creating a rigid base for lifts.
Ol’ Number 20 began its career at ALL’s flagship yard in Cleveland, Ohio, before moving to the ALL Crane Rental Corp. branch in Columbus, Ohio, where it served for years as a yard crane loading and unloading equipment. Over time, newer crane models took over daily operations, and Ol’ Number 20 was placed into long-term indoor storage. Recognizing the historical significance of the original rig that launched the fleet, ALL brought the machine out of retirement for a full cosmetic and structural restoration.
The restoration began with moving the crane from Columbus to TRY Auto in Brook Park, Ohio, where technicians repaired the bodywork and applied a fresh orange-and-black paint job. The unit then returned to ALL’s flagship facility in Cleveland, Ohio, to complete the restoration work. From there, the crane traveled westward toward Chicago to visit Central Contractors Service, travelling down Route 66. Ol’ Number 20 is now at the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150, where it will remain on permanent display as a historical monument and a static teaching aid illustrating early rigging design for union apprentices.