Another Star Product Shipped! Why Is MAXTECH's Knuckle Boom Telescopic Crane Continually So Popular?

24th, July, MAXTECH completed production and testing on another knuckle boom telescopic crane, which was officially packed and shipped to an overseas customer. This model is truly a "star product" in MAXTECH's portfolio – over the past two years, more than 20 units have been sold, and since the beginning of this year, inquiries have continued to rise, with steady interest from shipowners, shipyards, and equipment rental companies. The product has been successfully delivered to multiple regions including Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, and is widely used on chemical tankers, bulk carriers, offshore supply vessels, and various other ship types.

What exactly makes this Knuckle Boom telescopic crane so popular in the market?

I. A Master of Space Utilisation – Folds Away to Free Up Deck Space

For vessels where deck space is at a premium, the biggest advantage of the knuckle boom telescopic crane is its extremely low stowed height. The boom can be fully folded down to a minimal height, ensuring clear visibility from the wheelhouse during navigation while maximising available deck space for other operations.

This feature is particularly valuable on container ships, chemical tankers, offshore support vessels, and other vessel types with limited deck space. One customer reported that after installing the MAXTECH knuckle boom telescopic crane, the usable deck area increased noticeably, navigational sightlines were no longer obstructed, and daily operational efficiency improved significantly.

II. A Versatile Performer – Knuckle + Telescopic, One Machine, Multiple Functions

Traditional straight-Boom Cranes often struggle when faced with deck obstacles or when needing to reach into holds. MAXTECH's knuckle boom telescopic crane, however, features a combined articulated knuckle boom and telescopic section:

• The knuckle design allows the boom to bend like a joint, easily navigating around superstructures, pipes, containers, and other obstacles to place cargo precisely into tight spaces.

• The telescopic section provides an adjustable working radius, achieving up to 20 metres of outreach when extended, combining compact stowage with powerful working capability.

A single machine can handle everything from daily supply transfers, spare parts handling, and hatch cover operations, to container lifting and barge support. This "one machine, multiple uses" capability means shipowners do not need to equip multiple machines for different tasks, significantly reducing overall procurement costs and deck space occupation.

III. Proven Reliability – Multiple Units, Validated Worldwide

With many units already in service across various marine environments worldwide, the reliability of MAXTECH's knuckle boom telescopic crane has been thoroughly validated. Customer feedback is consistently positive: compact folding, flexible operation, and low failure rates.

Every unit undergoes rigorous factory testing. Taking the same-series 2‑ton 16‑metre model as an example, it successfully passed BV  on‑site certification tests – including no‑load functional tests, load lifting trials, dynamic performance checks, and safety device verification. After BV testing, MAXTECH's quality team conducted an additional 8‑hour continuous simulation test covering repeated folding, telescoping, and slewing combination movements – the crane showed no leakage, abnormal noise, or unusual temperature rise.

The MAXTECH knuckle boom telescopic crane series holds multiple international classification society certifications, including ABS, BV, CCS, DNV, KR, and RS, ensuring compliance with global safety and quality standards.

IV. Exceptional Value – European Quality at a Chinese Price

While delivering the same international certifications and product quality as European brands, MAXTECH's knuckle boom telescopic cranes offer highly competitive pricing. This is made possible by:

• In‑house factories and scalable production: MAXTECH operates its own manufacturing facilities in Wuxi and Nantong, integrating design, production, and testing. Modular design and standardised component procurement achieve economies of scale.

• Tailored engineering, not over‑design: MAXTECH calculates specifications precisely based on each customer's actual operating conditions (load cycles, maximum loads, vessel type, etc.), avoiding unnecessary over‑engineering for "general purpose" use – thereby controlling costs while meeting requirements.

• Rapid response mechanism: For this star product, we have established a fast‑track system with safety stock of key components and modular design drawings, significantly shortening delivery lead times while maintaining high quality.

With comparable specifications and certifications, MAXTECH's knuckle boom telescopic crane offers exceptional cost‑performance value. The fact that a single unit can cover multiple applications further reduces the total cost of ownership for shipowners.

V. Flexible Specifications, Tailor‑Made Solutions

The MAXTECH knuckle boom telescopic crane series is not a one‑size‑fits‑all product. The series offers lifting capacities from 1 ton to 10 tons, and working radii from 5 metres to 20 metres, with multiple configuration options to suit different vessel types and operational scenarios.

Whether it is a lightweight configuration for small yachts or workboats, or a larger capacity unit for bulk carriers and chemical tankers, MAXTECH can provide customised solutions. Customers can also opt for value‑added features such as explosion‑proof functionality, intelligent monitoring systems, and radio remote control to meet special operating requirements.