Treadmill Crane is a technology in Age of Empires II that can be researched at the University. Once researched, the construction speed for all buildings is increased by +20%. Treadmill Crane helps players to establish forward bases more quickly or erect structures close to enemy territory, especially Castles or Town Centers which can otherwise take a while to complete.
Team bonuses
Changelog
The Age of Kings
The Conquerors
The Forgotten
The African Kingdoms
Trivia
History
It is worth noting that the Spanish, despite lacking Treadmill Crane, have the fastest builders in the game due to their civilization bonus that gives them +30% working speed. However, they do not benefit from their bonus in Wonder Race games because Wonders are built at a fixed time for all civilizations.
| Available | Unavailable |
|---|---|
Team bonuses 
Edit
A team containing Malians: Researching Treadmill Crane is 80% faster.
Changelog Edit
The Age of Kings Edit
- Treadmill Crane cost 200W/300S.
- Goths: Could research Treadmill Crane.
- Japanese: Could not research Treadmill Crane.
- Vikings: Could not research Treadmill Crane.
The Conquerors Edit
- From patch 1.0c onwards, Treadmill Crane costs 300F/200W.
- Huns: Can research Treadmill Crane.
The Forgotten Edit
- Goths:Treadmill Crane removed from the technology tree.
- Huns: Treadmill Crane removed from the technology tree.
- Vikings: Treadmill Crane added to the technology tree.
The African Kingdoms Edit
- Japanese: With patch 4.8, Treadmill Crane is added to the technology tree.
Trivia Edit
- The treadmill crane depicted in-game is also a counterweight crane. It uses the same counterweight model from the Trebuchet albeit smaller.
- The Western European, Central European, Mediterranean, and East Asian Lumber Camps have a Treadmill Crane. The Eastern European and Native American ones also have one but without the treadmill. However, a European style treadmill crane would have been unknown to the Mesoamericans and East Asians in reality.
History Edit
“The construction of castles, cathedrals, and other major building projects required the invention of new techniques, as well as the re-discovery of ancient technologies. A critical tool known to the ancients but lost to the Europeans of the Dark Ages was the crane. The simple crane was a long pole with block and tackle gear that was used to pull loads to a height. The treadmill crane was an improvement over the simple version. It used a large circular treadmill upon which men walked. Gears converted the horizontal circular motion into vertical turning, providing power to wind ropes around a drum and pull up heavy loads. A variation of the treadmill crane employed a capstan that men could push against, like those used on sailing ships to raise anchors.”
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