KNUCKLE BOOM LOADER CRANES Ӏ SECTOR REPORT
THE BOOM IN KNUCKLE BOOMS
As demand grows for smarter,safer lifting solutions the knuckle boom loader crane sector is undergoing rapid transformation. Manufacturers are pushing mechanical engineering and digital technology to new limits, while the market itself is shifting through acquisitions, partnerships, and global expansion strategies. Julian Champkin reports.
Swedish company Hiab is a name synonymous with knuckle boom loader cranes. It has been making them since 1944. One of its most recent products is the Hiab iQ.708 Hipro, which it launched around 12 months ago. Its V12- Power boom is claimed to offer outstanding power-to-weight ratio; the compact design leaves more space for payload and, another advantage, its size means it can be installed to a wider range of trucks. It has 39 metre vertical reach, 35m horizontal reach, 25m up-and-over capability (using the crane’s vertical extension and horizontal jib), and a lifting capacity in the 60-70Tm range. The iQ.708 is equipped with
Hiab’s SPACEevo control system. This, Hiab says, delivers intuitive controls, advanced sensor-based safety systems, and optimised energy use. It is an open modular platform which means that system is futureproof, enabling updates and upgrades. And it would seem to be a sign of things to come...
SMART COLLABORATION Smart technology is becoming as important to the knuckle boom as to other cranes (and, indeed, to almost every other area of life) and Hiab is well aware of this. For which reason it announced,
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in September, a new partnership with Forterra, a leader in autonomous vehicle technology. 'This collaboration allows us to
explore new frontiers in workflow automation and coordinated vehicle operations,' says Hiab, 'effectively bringing autonomy deeper into the entire logistics workflow.' In other words, it is about the automation of traditionally human-controlled systems like knuckle boom cranes and hooklifts. ‘The core proposals being
investigated and developed centre on combining Hiab's strengths in robotics and AI with Forterra's advanced AutoDrive platform to elevate autonomous capabilities for both the truck and the load handling equipment,’ Hiab explains. ‘This joint development leverages solutions to enhance safety, improve efficiency, and enable personnel to transition to higher-value tasks. This partnership marks a significant step in extending autonomy across the entire logistics ecosystem. ‘Features like remote control and semi-automatic functions are increasingly common,’ Hiab continues. And, as we have often seen, semi-automation is the precursor to going fully-automatic. ‘HiPro is the most advanced model
platform control system within the Hiab loader crane range of products and HiDuo is the best price-performance remote control system. The Semi-Automatic Folding [SAF] option available for the HiDuo and HiPro controlled cranes is operated via remote control. It helps open and close the crane to its desired position at a faster pace than having to do all the operation manually and also reduces the risk of damage or accidentally not doing it well.’ Knuckle booms come with
many extensions – as many as nine in some cases – or with fewer. Which ones generally are most in demand? ‘At Hiab, we see demand across the spectrum,’ the company states, 'but customer preference for multiple versus fewer extensions is highly dependent on the specific application and their operational environment.' Hiab is optimistic about the
current loader crane market: ‘We are operating in an attractive market with great long-term growth prospects and, despite recent global market uncertainty, we continue to invest in growth and prioritise our strategic focus areas in key segments, notably North America. As with other global players our business has felt the impact of market uncertainty
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