Over 20 Units Sold in Two Years – Why Is MAXTECH's 3t@12m Knuckle Boom Telescopic Crane So Popular?

MAXTECH has recently completed production and shipped another 3‑ton@12‑metre Knuckle Boom telescopic crane. This model is a true star product in MAXTECH's portfolio – over the past two years, cumulative shipments have exceeded 20 units, and enquiries have continued to rise since the start of this year, with market demand remaining strong.

So what makes this knuckle boom telescopic crane so popular with customers?

I. Foldable Design – Maximises Valuable Deck Space

For vessels where deck space is at a premium, the crane's greatest advantage is its extremely low stowed height – approximately only 2 metres. The boom can be fully folded without obstructing the helmsman's view, freeing up maximum deck space for other operations. This feature makes it particularly popular on container ships, 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. Flexible Operation – One Machine, Multiple Uses

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, with a maximum outreach of 12 metres when extended. From daily supply transfers, spare parts handling, and hatch cover operations, to container lifting – a single machine meets a wide variety of operational needs.

III. Proven Reliability

This model has passed rigorous certification testing by Bureau Veritas (BV) , covering the four core functions of hoisting, luffing, slewing, and telescoping. With multiple units already in service across various marine environments worldwide, its reliability has been thoroughly validated. Customer feedback is consistently positive: compact folding, flexible operation, and low failure rates. The crane is built with corrosion‑resistant materials and sealed components, enabling it to reliably withstand harsh marine conditions including high temperatures, high salt‑spray, high humidity, and strong winds – ensuring long‑term stable performance.

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 crane offers highly competitive pricing. This is made possible by cost advantages from in‑house factories and scalable production, tailored engineering that avoids over‑design, and modular design enabling fast delivery. With comparable specifications and certifications, MAXTECH offers outstanding cost‑performance – and the fact that a single machine covers multiple applications further reduces the total cost of ownership for shipowners.

Key Specifications

More Options – Tailored to Your Needs

Beyond the popular 3‑ton@12‑metre configuration, MAXTECH's knuckle boom telescopic crane series offers a wide range of specifications, with lifting capacities from 1 to 10 tons and working radii from 5 to 20 metres. Among these, the 2‑ton/16‑metre full‑folding knuckle boom telescopic deck crane has successfully passed BV certification testing and is scheduled for delivery soon. This series is widely used on chemical tankers, bulk carriers, offshore supply vessels, yachts, and many other vessel types. 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.

Currently, multiple units of this series are in parallel production at MAXTECH's Wuxi and Nantong factories, and will be delivered successively to customers in different countries.

If you are looking for a marine crane that combines compact stowage with powerful operational capability, please contact us for selection advice and customised solutions.