A knuckle boom crane looks similar to a typical crane. The main difference is that the boom could fold back similar to a finger since the boom articulates at the "knuckle" near the middle. This allows the machinery 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 enable more payloads to be carried on the back of the vehicle it is mounted on. Most knuckle boom cranes are mounted behind the cab. This leaves the entire bed of the truck empty.
Interestingly enough, smaller models of knuckle boom cranes could be used without a certified crane operator, as long as the maximum capacity is less than 15,000 lbs. or if the maximum boom length is less than 25 feet long.
Control systems for these cranes are often different. Some could control from the ground, radio remote control, seated and stand up control. The radio remote systems can run the crane as well as starting it. Moreover, numerous models come outfitted with a computer readout system that instantly provides system readouts 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 used indoor. The patented Girder Lock mast design by Snorkel delivers excellent reach and superb stability. This system, used in the UL Series, offers excellent lift capacity.
The Snorkel PAM Series and UL Series Personnel lifts have been designed and built so as to be easy for one person to utilize. These machines could be transported easily. They can easily pass through a regular sized doorway and be pushed into position smoothly. These lifts could be erected in minutes and could provide working heights of up to 46 feet, they really are an efficient alternative to scaffold towers.