Common Misconceptions of Knuckle Boom Cranes: Are They More Complex to Operate Than Telescopic Cranes?

Throughout the years and many conversations with prospective customers, we've discovered yet another myth surrounding Knuckle Boom cranes. Many in the industry believe that knuckle boom cranes are more complex to operate, mainly due to their boom design or a lack of familiarty with the equipment. However, Hiab's engineering innovations have made knuckle boom cranes remarkably user-friendly and intuitive to operate!

So, what causes the "Operator Intimidation" factor? Multiple boom sections and articulation points of the boom sections can intimidate some operators. However, one of the many semi-autonomous features Hiab offers is the Semi-Automatic Folding (SAF) system, which allows for easy folding and unfolding with just one lever. It's so user-friendly that, while we don’t recommend it, you could technically operate it with your eyes closed!

Ease of Transition: Many operators who are accustomed to operating traditional cranes realize that with just a few hours of practice, they can smoothly operate a knuckle boom crane. The learning curve is minimal, and our designs focus on user-friendly, “smart” controls. For companies concerned about new hires or apprentices, there is a vast array of support like our virtual training, HiSkill, which can allow new hires to learn at home, so your asset can remain on the job.  

Standardization:  All Hiab cranes utilize the same type of remote and hydraulic systems across all product lines, ensuring a consistent and straightforward training process. This standardization makes scaling between different models much simpler than one might expect.