Moreover, they seem to have failed to take into account the undisputed evidence that the term mobile crane is in common industrial usage to describe the vehicles in this case. On the face of it, the classification of machines made by those who manufacture and deal in them is a good starting point for an inquiry into their true and proper classification. I do not find it in the least surprising that those in the industry call these vehicles mobile cranes . They perform all the same functions as mobile cranes which are fitted with ropes and pulleys, as well as other functions besides. It is true that cranes fitted with ropes and pulleys can lift larger loads than these vehicles, but that cannot be a material difference.
Some traditional cranes can carry bigger loads than others.
No doubt, with technological advances, the appellants will develop more powerful machines, which are capable of lifting greater loads than they currently lift. The question for the Tribunal was the true meaning of the expression mobile cranes , where it appears in Schedule 1 to HODA . This was done at the request of the manufacturers and users of cranes. The definition of mobile cranes was almost the same as it is now. It is unclear when vehicles such as those which are the subject of this appeal were first used.