Knuckle Cranes

Cranes are used to solve lifting heavy items problems.

Knuckle cranes are used to solve problems that traditional stick cranes cannot handle.

Using a knuckle crane to reach in a window with a large china unit — Using a knuckle crane to reach in an apartment building window to get a large china unit up that would not fit in the elevator.

What’s the difference?

The biggest difference between knuckle cranes and traditional stick cranes, are their ability to change directions. A traditional crane is just has a long straight boom arm and a winch line that drops down from the end. Since it is a straight boom, you lose a lot of distance that it can reach. It is usually has the boom (crane arm) going 45 degrees or more up into the air which can cut your reach distance in half or more. Knuckle cranes have multiple pivot points along the boom that allow it to change direction called knuckles. They allow the crane to get closer to where you need it to go.

Lifting items with a knuckle crane safely onto a boat.

Since the knuckle boom arm bends to where you need it, you do not necessarily need a winch line to lift items. This reduces sway and gives you a much more controlled over your move. It also reduces accidents, where your load goes swinging into something like a clock pendulum.

Using a smaller knuckle crane to reach further onto a roof of a commerical building. — Using a smaller knuckle crane to reach further onto a roof of a commercial building.

Costs matter!

Renting smaller cranes, can generally save you a lot of money. In the crane world, crane rental prices go up exponentially with the larger crane you need. In some cases, the cost can be 5x more for the next size up. That does not even factor in that larger cranes also require larger areas to setup and deploy. Most knuckle cranes can work in a smaller foot print.

Knuckle crane lifting an HVAC up onto a commercial building from a very tight laneway.

Parked in a very small driveway lifting a swim spa over some power lines and into a back yard.

This gives them the ability to do crane jobs that may not even be possible with a traditional stick crane. Trees and hydro lines are another big problem for cranes. Knuckle cranes can give you lifting options that you would never dream of.

Crane under a power line to avoid some trees lift furniture to a second floor of a house. — Under a power line to avoid some trees lift furniture to a second floor of a house.

Reaching under a tree with a knuckle crane to get a large heavy steel beam into a home.

Are you looking for a more precision lift? Talk to one of our crane specialists to see which crane might be the best fit for your move.

Call (416)900-0969