A knuckle boom crane looks similar to a regular crane. The main difference is that the boom is capable of folding back similar to a finger as the boom articulates at the "knuckle" near the middle. This allows the equipment to be able to transform into a compact size for maneuvering and storage.
Knuckle boom crane arms are somewhat a little lighter than boom truck cranes. These crane arms are made to allow more payloads to be lifted on the back of the vehicle it is mounted on. Nearly all knuckle boom cranes are mounted behind the cab. This leaves the entire bed of the truck empty.
Smaller types of knuckle boom cranes can be used without a certified crane operator, if the load capacity of the machine is less than 15,000 pounds or if the boom's maximum length is less than 25 feet long.
Control systems for these cranes are often different. Some could control from the ground, radio remote control, stand up and seated control. The radio remote systems are capable of running the crane as well as starting it. Furthermore, many models come equipped with a computer readout system that provides system readouts immediately reporting if the crane is overloaded or not.
Personnel Lifts
Snorkel Personnel Lifts are designed for facilities maintenance professionals and contractors. These lifts are portable, inexpensive, lightweight work platforms made to be utilized indoor. The patented Girder Lock mast design by Snorkel provides superb flexibility and excellent reach. This system, utilized in the UL Series, provides great lift capacity.
The Snorkel UL Series Personnel and PAM Series lifts have been designed and built so as to be easy for one person to utilize. These equipment are easy to transport. They could easily pass through a standard sized doorway and be pushed smoothly into position. These lifts could be erected in minutes and can provide working heights of up to 46 feet, they really are an effective option to scaffold towers.