The truck mounted cranes are very efficient construction machines, because they can be used for lifting and moving different kinds of heavy loads and materials on the construction sites. They are especially efficient for transporting large loads from one location to another, something that is impossible for most crane types. The truck mounted cranes dispose with exceptional flexibility and versatility because the crane attachment is mounted on a truck. Truck mounted cranes are widely used and they come in two versions: straight boom and knuckle boom cranes.
The boom cranes are generally used in Europe, while the straight boom cranes are widely used across the world. However, in Australia, many operators prefer the knuckle boom cranes, because they provide more advantages than the straight boom cranes. A knuckle boom crane is a standard crane with one difference – the boom can articulate and can easily bend as a finger. This means that the knuckle boom crane is a extremely compact machine, easy to maneuver and requires little space for storage. The arms of the knuckle boom crane are lightweight, and are used for carrying heavy payloads on the back of the truck on which the crane is mounted.
Most boom cranes are designed with the crane part mounted at the rear end of the truck, behind the operator’s cabin, leaving the entire flatbed of the truck empty. The knuckle boom cranes feature typical crane controls and features, including seat control, radio remote control and control from the ground. Additionally, some knuckle boom cranes come with a computer readout system, which immediately alerts the operator when the knuckle boom crane is overloaded.
A typical knuckle boom crane consists of a two-part mother boom (with two knuckle sections), and a telescopic boom that can be extended from the second knuckle section onwards. The knuckle boom crane has a hook that can be raised and lowered from the first and the second knuckle section. Usually, the hook is located at the boom end and has two folding points. The knuckle boom crane has a slewing range of up to 420 degrees non-continuous. Also, the knuckle boom crane includes outriggers for greater stability.
