A knuckleboom crane resembles a finger on your hand. Just as a finger has two “knuckles”, so does a knuckle boom crane. Knuckle boom cranes articulate and fold, so they take up less space when stowed.
Knuckle booms are very effective in small or tight job sites. Knuckle booms also provide mobility for delivering materials to multiple locations, as they can be installed on vehicles of many sizes, including those as small as pickup trucks or trailers. Knuckle boom cranes can also reach into spaces such as a second-story office. If the crane has negative angle capability, it can even deliver loads into a structure that is slightly lower than the truck it is mounted on. If a knuckle boom is equipped with a jib, it can reach onto the roof of a smaller building to deliver air conditioners or heating units for installation.