Equipment Focus: Knuckle Boom
Knuckle boom lifts are a wonderfully versatile piece of access equipment. They are mostly used as an aerial work platform (AWP), a means to access awkward places or simply to load/unload materials – especially in restricted spaces.
You might also hear knuckle booms being referred to as a loader/picker crane or an articulating boom lift.
The standout factor that differentiates a knuckle boom from other lifts is that it has a jointed arm. This allows it to move in both the vertical and horizontal planes. It also has a rotating turntable at the base, allowing the operator to swivel the boom around 360 degrees.
One of the most common uses of a knuckle boom is to provide a safe, stable platform for a worker to stand when accessing difficult to reach areas. Knuckle boom technology forms a core piece of equipment in many industries, such as:
Construction.
Forestry.
Oil & gas.
Local infrastructure.
Cleaning and maintenance.
The key advantage of a knuckle boom is the long, articulating arm. This makes it easy to manoeuvre over obstacles, bending, lowering and lifting as needed with incredible precision.
A platform, rather than a bucket, is at the end of the articulating arm. This provides a safe place for a worker to be secured. It can also be used to load up and move inventory, which is why they’re commonly seen at loading/unloading docks.
Examples of Knuckle Boom Use
Some prime examples of knuckle boom use are characterised by the ability to perform strategic, precise movements in restricted areas. This could be in an interior work location, but also works well from crowded or difficult to reach locations in the great outdoors.
The following are example scenarios of where knuckle boom technology is used:
Confined spaces with obstacles and hard-to-access locations
The slim design and high mobility allow the equipment to be positioned as close as possible to the work site. The articulating arm can reach up, over any obstacles and then safely gravitate the worker to the desired spot.
Any working area that can only be reached by elevating over and across another structure
For example, working on or around telephone cables and poles.
In closed or indoor spaces
Electric knuckle booms don’t emit toxic substances, making it safe for humans to be in the same vicinity. Such knuckle booms also come with non-marking tyres.
On a work area with rugged terrain
Rough terrain knuckle booms are specifically designed for such tasks. These are powered by diesel so are suitable for exterior use only.
While a knuckle boom lift is typically used to put a worker in the right position, they are also powerful tools for moving equipment.
Knuckle booms come in different models. The height they can reach, the reach and the maximum payload are important factors for choosing the right one for the intended tasks.
For example, a lift needed to work inside a tight factory area (between shelves, for instance) will be very different from the knuckle boom used by a tree surgeon who needs to access the top of some tall trees. The former would require an electric model with non-marking tyres – the latter, a rough terrain knuckle boom, perhaps with a boom extension, known as a jib.
Whatever and wherever a knuckle boom is deployed, everyone involved in using it must be aware of the maximum load, reach and working height. When hiring such a piece of equipment, it’s important that anyone using the equipment has undergone the training needed to safely operate it. All employers must legally ensure that their workers have completed this.
At McMahon Hire Solutions, we offer a wide range of knuckle boom options and are happy to advise on the correct type for your task. As an industry-leading construction equipment hire company, our decades of experience means that we know what a good hire blueprint looks like. From unsurpassed customer service to our, “If we don’t have it, we’ll procure it for you” ethos, plus two well-placed Victoria bases (Derrimut and Torquay) we’re the go-to equipment hire specialist for small, medium and large projects.
Get in contact today to discuss your knuckle boom requirements, earth moving solutions, site setup options and other general tools and equipment needs.