Truck Mounted Knuckle Boom Cranes Market Size - By Lifting Capacity, By Drive, By End Use, By Distribution Channel, Growth Forecast 2025 – 2034

Truck Mounted Knuckle Boom Cranes Market Size

The truck mounted knuckle boom cranes market was valued at USD 813.1 million in 2024 and is estimated to register a CAGR of 4% between 2025 and 2034, fueled by the increasing requirement for flexible and effecting lifting equipment in various industries including construction, logistics, utilities, and other industries. Knuckle boom cranes which mounted to truck are popular due to their compact size, advanced maneuverability and vital application in confined urban spaces.
 

The growth in infrastructure development work, in combination with the estimated global GDP growth of 3.3% in 2025 according to the OECD's projections, is likely to offer robust push to the market. This economic growth indicates heightened investment in private and public infrastructure projects, in which truck-mounted knuckle boom cranes play a crucial role in material transportation and handling.
 

Technological developments are further driving the market with the launch of new features that enhance performance as well as safety. Automation, remote-control systems, and advanced safety features combined enable operators to control operations more effectively and accurately. These advances not only decrease the physical burden on employees but also optimize operations, leading to cost and time savings. Companies and end-users are choosing more for multifunctional equipment to reduce labor needs and increase overall production, which indicates truck-mounted knuckle boom cranes are the vital solution for work sites.
 

Regulatory developments are also molding the market economy. For instance, from January 2025, the Ministry of Manpower Singapore (MOM), require all new registrations of lorry cranes to have an approved model of Safe Control System (SCS) either factory-installed or installed by an authorized agent. This move reflects the worldwide trend towards enhanced safety regulations and technological compatibility, further promoting innovation and upgrading in the industry. As industries increasingly focus on efficiency, safety, and sustainability, demand for high-tech truck-mounted knuckle boom cranes is likely to remain robust in the forecasted years.
 

Truck Mounted Knuckle Boom Cranes Market Trends

• The market of truck-mounted knuckle boom crane is experiencing major technological changes with a focus on improved performance, safety, and reduced environmental impact. Companies are prioritizing the use of control systems, remote and automated systems, to maximize operational efficiency and safety.
   
• Also, with the development in engines and fuels technologies enhanced the environmental efficiency and fuel consumption, which further resolving sustainability concerns. For instance, in March 2024, Hiab launched the HIAB WSPR, a fully electric hybrid crane powered by two energy sources, enabling it to run both the truck engine and an independent electric power take-off (ePTO). This example showcasing a beneficial prospect for low- or zero-emission zones and complying with environmental standards worldwide.
   
• Construction is one of the main drivers in the truck-mounted knuckle boom cranes market. These cranes are crucial in several construction activities including handling materials and lifting heavy. Their versatility and efficiency render them critical in urban construction sites where the availability of space is always a big challenge.
   
• There has been an upward trend in the construction industry in the United States. According to the Census Bureau, in September of 2022, the total construction expenditure was set at USD 1,811,136 million. This huge amount of expenditure highlights the current development of infrastructure, and consequently huge demand for lifting equipment.
   
• Similarly, in India, the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) envisages 2,476 projects being implemented with an investment of USD 1.9 trillion, shows demonstrating prospects for truck-mounted cranes in the future. These initiatives show how critical truck-mounted knuckle boom cranes are in supporting large-scale building and infrastructural works.
   

Trump Administration Tariffs

• Tariffs enacted by the Trump administration on steel, aluminum, hydraulic components, electronic modules, and heavy machinery parts might have been very disruptive for the global truck-mounted knuckle boom crane industry. These cranes are built on heavy-duty, high-grade steel structures and high-precision hydraulic systems, frequently built with proprietary electronic load monitoring devices and actuators manufactured overseas - none of which are innocuous tariffs on China, Germany, and Mexico.
   
• North American manufacturers will experience rising input costs due to a significant share of essential parts, such as hydraulic cylinders, rotation bearings, booms, and smart sensors were typically sourced from tariff-affected areas before these tariffs were imposed. This increases overall costs of production, might reduce margins for OEMs, and increases prices for cranes across end-user sectors like construction, logistics, and utilities.
   
• The tariffs negatively impacted the price for imported materials like cold rolled steel, precision hydraulic lines, and smart control systems, which might have shifted sourcing strategies and, in effect, delayed capital investments in R&D in new technologies such as autonomous lifting systems and remote diagnostics for all crane manufacturers, particularly smaller companies were more heavily impacted than larger companies and were impeded from competing on price and innovation.
   

Truck Mounted Knuckle Boom Cranes Market Analysis

Based on lifting capacity, the market is divided into Light duty (up to 15 tons), Medium duty (15-100 tons), and Heavy duty (above 50 tons). In 2024, light duty segment held 40% of the market share and is expected to reach over USD 400 million by 2034.
 

• The light-duty truck-mounted knuckle boom cranes market which lifting capacity 15 tons and below leads the market due to its demand in urban construction, utility maintenance, and municipal operations. These cranes provide a flexible and compact lifting solution suitable for operations in tight or space-restricted environments. Their easy installation and relatively low cost making them affordable option for small and medium-sized enterprises and their project.
   
• The crane usage in projects at city locations employs light-duty cranes because of their ability to handle short-range, repetitive lifting operations. In addition, small-scale logistics and vehicle recovery operations majorly depend on these cranes.
   
• In developing nations such as India and Brazil, the growth in rural electrification and expansion of telecom infrastructure helps to drive the higher adoption of light-duty cranes, particularly on smaller trucks. With continued expansion in utility service fleets and the telecom industry, this segment continues to dominate over the forecast period.
   

Based on drive, the truck mounted knuckle boom cranes market is categorized into hydraulic, electric, and diesel. The hydraulic segment held a market share of 48% in 2024.
 

• Hydraulic drive is the most commonly used technology in the truck-mounted knuckle boom cranes industry, due to its better load-handling ability, durability, and control of operations. Hydraulic systems offer smooth and accurate movement, which is essential in operations that need precise control, such as hoisting building materials during construction or placing utility poles.
   
• Hydraulic drive systems are flexible to use in conjunction with contemporary telematics and load-sensing technology, which makes them suitable in heavy-duty applications. Companies such as Palfinger and Hiab are focusing on improving their crane's hydraulic efficiency and the use of intelligent controls to achieve sustainability and user-friendliness.
   
• For example, the Palfinger's PK 21.501 SLD 1 - knuckle boom crane has the company's own patented P-profile, providing maximum lifting capacity at a lightweight design. This unique design's advanced hydraulic flow control system allows the operator to control several hydraulic functions at once, making operations more efficient and accurate.
   

Based on end use, the truck mounted knuckle boom cranes market is divided into Construction, logistics and transportation, utilities, mining, forestry, others. The construction segment crossed USD 282 million in 2024.
 

• Construction segment is one of the largest end-use industries, which dominating a huge share of the global market for truck-mounted knuckle boom cranes. These cranes are capable of handling various different materials, going into tough-to-access areas, and minimizing the work intensity is a highly valuable option for any sort of construction work, be it residential or commercial.
   
• According to the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Construction Industry Institute, real estate developments and infrastructure remain major drivers of demand for mobile lifting equipment. In the United States alone, federal spending on transportation and utility infrastructure, supported by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, is driving crane industry including truck-mounted knuckle boom cranes.
   
• Regions which are experiencing fast urbanization, for example Southeast Asia and Africa, where bridges, housing, and industrial parks are developing significantly. China Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development also back this fact with reported a 14% YoY growth in urban infrastructure project in 2023 in China, this fact supports the demand for knuckle boom cranes which can mounted to the truck for easier mobility.
   

Based on the distribution channel, the truck mounted knuckle boom cranes market is divided into direct sales and distributors. The direct sales segment dominated the market.
 

• Direct sales are the largest distribution channel, through which manufacturers can directly reach customers, deliver specialized crane configurations, and after-sales support, especially important in high-specification industrial applications. In new economies, where customers desire customized solutions for varied lifting tasks, direct sales also enable manufacturers to quickly meet differentiated market requirements.
   
• As the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) highlights direct sales providing consumer requirement alignment, these specifically for government organization's contracts, highly scalable infrastructure projects and fleet-based purchasing by electricity generation and distributing companies. Direct interactions with suppliers are allowed to provide training and provide installation and maintenance services.
   
• Hiab, SANY, and Palfinger are the top companies that create worldwide dealership networks that gives as extended supports to their direct sales model, this providing equipment demos, warranty supports, and technical consultations.
   

In 2024, the China dominate the Asia-Pacific truck mounted knuckle boom cranes market with revenue around USD 193.9 million.
 

• China has the largest market share of the world truck-mounted knuckle boom cranes market at 24%, driven by the nation's fast-paced industrialization and large-scale infrastructure development. China recorded an average daily investment of 10.7 billion yuan (approximately 1.47 billion U.S. dollars) in transport infrastructure in 2023, a record high, as per a report published by the Ministry of Transport, boosting the demand for mobile and flexible lifting equipment. Government subsidies for construction and intelligent logistics are also set to cement the nation's leadership in this equipment category.
   
• Chinese producers such as SANY and XCMG have quickly increased crane production, taking advantage of economies of scale and government incentives under programs like "Made in China 2025." Access to local raw materials and components also facilitates competitive pricing and mass production. With robust domestic demand and emphasis on export growth, China's dominance in the global market is likely to continue until 2030.
   
• Furthermore, China's smart city and urban renewal initiatives continue to create persistent demand for utility-oriented cranes that can function in limited urban spaces. Telecommunications, public works, and municipal waste management industries increasingly use knuckle boom cranes due to their flexibility and compact size.
   

Predictions suggest that from 2025 to 2034, the U.S. truck mounted knuckle boom cranes market will grow tremendously.
 

• The U.S. is a prominent contributor to the world market for truck-mounted knuckle boom cranes due to its large construction industry, developed industrial base, and increasing investments in infrastructure. For instance, the U.S. federal government invested more than USD 550 billion in infrastructure development until 2026, due to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), or the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
   
• The market is also driven by the requirement for efficient material handling in road construction, power distribution, and oil & gas industries. Domestic demand and supportive policy directions such as tax credits to buy capital equipment favor U.S.-based manufacturers such as Manitex International and different service providers.
   
• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) also indicates that the employment of construction equipment operators is expected to increase by 4 percent from 2023 to 2033, this supports increasing requirements for lifting technologies and vehicles. The country similarly boasts one of the highest rates of take-up of sophisticated crane control systems, especially for urban construction and work of utilities.
   

The UK truck mounted knuckle boom cranes market will experience prosperous growth during the prediction period from 2025 to 2034.
 

• The United Kingdom maintains a significant stake in the truck-mounted knuckle boom cranes market, with the support of investments in smart infrastructure, upgrades to utilities, and transport network improvements. The UK Department for Business and Trade announced that the nation spent more than £110 billion (USD 145 billion) on construction in 2023, most of which included modular and off-site construction needing effective lifting solutions.
   
• UK-based utility & telecom companies service providers are significant end-users for truck-mounted knuckle boom cranes for the installation of pole and equipment. The take-up of zero-tail pipe-emission cranes gaining vital traction, which is fueled by the government regulation and 2050 net-zero goal. UK-based companies including Palfinger UK and Hiab has introduced electric and hybrid cranes which gives consumers efficient solution according to their requirements.
   

Truck Mounted Knuckle Boom Cranes Market Share

• Top companies in the truck mounted knuckle boom cranes industry are SANY, Amco Veba, Palfinger, Action Construction Equipment, Hiab Corporation, Manitex International, and ATLAS Group. These companies are holding around 30% of the market share in 2024.
   
• SANY is one of China's major heavy machinery makers recognized for its strong lineup of construction equipment, such as truck-mounted knuckle boom cranes. SANY's global presence exceeds 150 countries. SANY's advantage comes from huge R&D investment and large-scale manufacturing bases, which provide competitive price and accelerated innovation.
   
• Based in Italy, Amco Veba specializes in hydraulic articulated cranes. They offer models to suit a variety of industries, including forestry, utility, and marine. They are known for its reliability and for being modular, attracting both OEMs and end users.
   
• An Austrian multinational, Palfinger is a global leader in the production of knuckle boom cranes. The company is well known for its innovation, such as electric cranes and intelligent control systems. Palfinger enjoys a large market share in Europe and a growing presence in North America and Asia.
   
• India-headquartered ACE is the market leader in the local market with a robust portfolio of construction and material handling cranes. The company specializes in affordable, long-life cranes ideal for local geographies and project environments.
   
• Hiab, a subsidiary of Cargotec Corporation, is a world-leading supplier of on-road load handling equipment. Hiab is particularly dominant in Europe and has established a presence in Asia and the Americas with its hybrid crane technologies and strong after-sales support.
   
• U.S.-based Manitex builds boom trucks, truck cranes, and material handling equipment. It serves mainly the energy, construction, and logistics industries in North America. Manitex has emphasized product differentiation by innovation and customization.
   

Truck Mounted Knuckle Boom Cranes Market Companies

Major players operating in the truck mounted knuckle boom cranes industry include:

• Action Construction Equipment
• Amco Veba
• ATLAS Group
• CPS Group
• Hiab
• HMF Group
• Manitex International
• Mikron Hidrolik
• Palfinger 
• SANY
   

Key participants in the truck mounted knuckle boom cranes market are actively pursuing partnership, joint, merger, acquisition or other types of strategic movements, in addition to investing development of products, to promote enhanced source use and product research and development (R&D). These strategic actions allow firms to incorporate advanced lifting technology, automation solutions, and mechanized hydraulic solutions tailored to the evolving needs of the construction, logistics, utilities, and mining industries. Strategic partnerships with significant industry players enable producers to expand their geographic presence, establish secure supply chains, and hasten the introduction of new cranes.
 

Major global players are utilising R&D resources to promote cost efficiencies in their product development, with a view to quickly meeting aspects of market specific requirements and quickly adapting to technological evolutions. Firms are increasingly rolling out an increasingly large product series of intelligent, efficient and affordable cranes with different load positioning systems suited to multiple applications. This variety not only provides support when engaging in new growing markets, but it ensures that each crane are able to operate in compliance with increasing safety, environmental and operational regulations throughout different tax environments.
 

Truck Mounted Knuckle Boom Cranes Industry News

• In January 2025, Tadano, a Japanese crane manufacturer has completed the acquisition of Manitex International (a U.S. company) as part of an effort to leverage the North America truck-mounted crane market. Through this acquisition, Manitex added its product line and dealer network to Tadano's existing global operations, which also allows more variety to meet customer lifting needs.
   
• In December 2024, 600SA - a subsidiary of CFAO Equipment - announced its exclusive dealership rights to distribute PESCI COPMA brand knuckle boom cranes in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. By leveraging its strategic position in dedicated applications such as mining, construction, logistics, and public infrastructure - 600SA would provide an entire range of COPMA cranes, as well as service and support the products.
   
• In August 2024, Manitex International announced it has another new dealer agreement with Bruckner's Truck & Equipment, to expand the sales of PM brand knuckle boom cranes throughout North America. This new strategic partnership improved Manitex's distribution access and after sales serviceability for its crane line.
   
• In March 2023, Manitex International introduced the TC850 Series, it is a 85-ton capacity truck-mounted crane featuring an outrigger design that removes the need for a front jack. The TC850 Series is lauch to meet the evolving needs of construction, oil and gas, and infrastructure sectors seeking robust yet user-friendly equipment.
   

The truck mounted knuckle boom cranes market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue ($Mn) and volume (Units) from 2021 to 2034, for the following segments:

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Market, By Lifting Capacity

• Light duty (up to 15 tons)
• Medium duty (15-100 tons)
• Heavy duty (above 50 tons)

Market, By Drive

• Hydraulic
• Electric
• Diesel

Market, By End Use

• Construction
• Logistics and Transportation
• Utilities
• Mining
• Forestry
• Others

Market, By Distribution Channel

• Direct Sales
• Distributors

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Southeast Asia 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
• MEA
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE