Video of Knuckle boom crane lifting over 7 tons

Knuckleboom cranes are vehicles that are most typically used in a construction application to lift objects typically too heavy to lift by hand. There are quite a large variety of these types of cranes, from crawler cranes and track cranes, to barge cranes and truck mounted cranes. This article will focus on the truck mounted variety, as that is what is most commonly used by the masses. The other types of knuckle boom cranes are very niche oriented, and pertain to extremely specific jobs that don’t see very wide spread use.

Typically, the average knuckle boom crane will be mounted onto some type of platform that makes it more maneuverable, like a service truck. Service trucks make great platforms for the average knuckle boom crane because they are not only much more maneuverable than a tracked or treaded platform, but they provide much more versatility. Other items and essential components like tools can be kept right on board, stowed safely in the trucks locking storage cabinets. This makes travelling back and forth a minimum, and helps to increase productivity on the jobsite.

Most other types of heavy-duty cranes have to be mounted on some sort of tracked or treaded platform as well, and while this might be better in limited capacities for uneven or rough terrain, it means that these types of cranes are barred from driving on any sort of paved roadways because of the damage that they can cause. Typically, these cranes will have to be partially or completely disassembled and then placed on some sort of transport truck or trailer and hauled to and from the job site every day. This can be a huge slow to work flow, and can really throw a wrench in the gears when it comes to packing up at the end of every work day to head home. With a truck mounted knuckle boom crane that is no longer an issue because you can just pack up your tools and drive off at the end of the day.