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Marine Knuckle Boom Crane
Model KMU 2TX8M

Knuckle boom cranes represent the most versatile and compact type of deck cranes. The folding boom design, equipped with telescopic sections, allows for maximum workspace coverage and enables lifting operations that are beyond the reach of other crane types.

This equipment is supplied in a wide range of configurations, differing in the number of telescopic sections, lifting capacity, and control options. This approach ensures the crane design is optimally tailored to meet specific customer requirements.

The KMU 2TX8M model features a three-section telescopic boom with an outreach ranging from 2 to 8 m. This design ensures stable and reliable operation when handling loads ranging from 2 to 3 t. Additional advantages of the model include continuous 360° slewing and a remote control pendant, significantly enhancing operational convenience and efficiency.

Configuration

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Marine Knuckle Boom Crane Model KMU 2TX8M 3D Model Base

Base

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The robust welded base provides secure mounting of the crane slewing system. The structure is bolted to a 1.5 m high ship foundation, ensuring operational stability and safety.

Slewing system

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The driven slewing system enables continuous 360° crane rotation. The system integrates a gearbox, brake, and hydraulic motor, ensuring precise positioning and reliable operation.

Marine Knuckle Boom Crane Model KMU 2TX8M 3D Model Slewing System
Marine Knuckle Boom Crane Model KMU 2TX8M 3D Model Column

Column

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The robust welded column is mounted on the slewing system and serves as the primary support for the luffing section and hydraulic cylinder, ensuring overall structural stability.

Luffing section hydraulic cylinder

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The luffing section hydraulic cylinder ensures precise adjustment of the boom outreach. Equipped with a counterbalance valve, it ensures reliable load holding under all operating conditions, including lateral loads. Manual operation of the counterbalance valve allows safe emergency lowering of the boom under its own weight in the event of power loss.

Marine Knuckle Boom Crane Model KMU 2TX8M 3D Model Luffing Section Hydraulic Cylinder
Marine Knuckle Boom Crane Model KMU 2TX8M 3D Model Luffing Section

Luffing section

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The luffing section enables folding of the crane into its stowed position, adjustment of the boom outreach, and ensures maximum lifting height. It is articulated to the column and serves as the mounting base for the hydraulic cylinder, telescopic section, and telescopic extension cylinder.

Telescopic section extension cylinder

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The telescopic section extension cylinder ensures boom outreach adjustment and deploys the crane into its operating position. Equipped with a counterbalance valve, it ensures reliable load holding under all operating conditions, including lateral loads. Manual operation of the counterbalance valve allows safe emergency lowering of the boom under its own weight in the event of power loss.

Marine Knuckle Boom Crane Model KMU 2TX8M 3D Model Telescopic Section Extenion Cylinder
Marine Knuckle Boom Crane Model KMU 2TX8M 3D Model Telescopic Sections

Telescopic sections

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The three-section telescopic design (one fixed section and two movable sections) provides adjustment of outreach and hook lifting height. Dedicated mounts for two hydraulic cylinders ensure precise and reliable extension of the sections.

Telescopic section cylinders

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The hydraulic cylinders provide sequential and reliable extension of the telescopic sections. The cylinder design with counterbalance valves ensures safe load holding in emergency and abnormal operating conditions.

Marine Knuckle Boom Crane Model KMU 2TX8M 3D Model Telescopic Section Cylinders
Marine Knuckle Boom Crane Model KMU 2TX8M 3D Model Winch

Winch

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The winch equipped with a geared motor and a normally closed brake provides safe hoisting operation. The design includes a pressure roller for proper wire rope spooling and a rope payout limit switch, ensuring reliable operation.

Hook block

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The hook block ensures secure load attachment via a wire rope thimble and a hook equipped with a safety latch and swivel. The robust structure ensures durability and operational safety.

Marine Knuckle Boom Crane Model KMU 2TX8M 3D Model Hook Block
Marine Knuckle Boom Crane Model KMU 2TX8M 3D Model Operator Platform

Operator platform

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The operator platform, featuring an integrated local control station, is rigidly mounted on the crane column. The platform includes guardrails and an access ladder, ensuring safe and convenient working conditions.

Control station

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The local control station mounted on the slewing column provides direct control of all crane operating movements via hydraulic control valve levers and pushbuttons. An integrated control cabinet with a PLC ensures precise and reliable operation.

Marine Knuckle Boom Crane Model KMU 2TX8M 3D Model Control Station

Standard configuration and options

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Standard configuration:

  • Column
  • Boom assembly
  • Platforms (set)
  • Winch with wire rope
  • Boom luffing hydraulic cylinder(s)
  • Hook block
  • Hydraulic power unit (HPU)
  • Electrical equipment
  • Hydraulic equipment
  • Local control station

Optional:

  • Cranes may be supplied without a column or with a column height customized to the customer’s requirements
  • Cranes may be supplied with an integrated HPU, a remote HPU, or without an HPU
  • Local (operator cabin or platform), remote (pendant or radio control), or combined control
  • Explosion-proof (tanker) design
  • Man-riding design
  • For explosive cargo handling
  • Auxiliary hoisting winches
  • Heave compensation
  • Floodlights
  • Custom paint color

Documentation:

The following documentation provided with the crane:

DocumentQuantity
Product Data Sheet1
Installation and Operation Manual1
Onboard Test Program and Methodology1
Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) Report1
Spare Parts and Tools List1

3D crane simulation

About

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Built with the Strength of a Giant: The Anatomy of a Knuckle Boom Marine Crane

A seaport or a vessel’s deck is a place where every centimeter and every kilogram counts. But how do you lift a three-ton container from a barge or load supplies into the hold when there’s no room on deck for a massive shore crane? The answer is simple and elegant: you need an «arm» that can fold. What we have here is an electro-hydraulic marine knuckle boom crane — a true transformer — capable of reaching 8 meters out to the water when deployed, and folding into a compact, stowed unit that stays out of the way when the vessel is battling heavy seas.

Why It’s More Complex Than It Seems

The main challenge for any marine equipment is the extreme environment. A land-based crane operates on a solid foundation, while its offshore counterpart must perform under constant vessel motion. Saltwater, wind, vibration, and continuous heel are its natural habitat. The engineers had to design a mechanism that operates reliably at temperatures down to –30 °C, withstands hurricane-force winds up to 57 m/s in the stowed position, and still ensures load retention at a vessel heel of 5 degrees. Add to that a variable outreach ranging from 2 to 8 meters and a safe working load (SWL) of up to 3 tonnes — and you have a true engineering challenge.

What it’s Made Of

Visually, the crane resembles the arm of a humanoid robot from a sci-fi movie. At its core is high-strength structural steel grade 09G2S, widely used in shipbuilding for its excellent weldability, low-temperature toughness, and ability to withstand extreme loads. Critical components such as pins and joints are manufactured from even stronger alloy steel 40X. The structure is not monolithic but modular by design. A heavy-duty base frame is bolted securely to the deck. Mounted on it is the slewing system — the crane’s «hip» — which allows continuous 360-degree rotation. Above it are the column, the main lifting boom, and finally the telescopic extension — the extendable «forearm».

How It Is Controlled

Power is provided by hydraulics. A standalone hydraulic reservoir contains AUP oil — the «lifeblood» of the system. Pressurized up to 28 MPa, the oil flows through rigid piping and high-pressure flexible hoses to the hydraulic cylinders that actuate the boom sections. Lifting operations are performed by a winch with a geared motor, while a dedicated braking system ensures the load is securely held even in the event of a power loss.

All of this is managed electronically. The operator can stand on a dedicated platform mounted on the crane or use a portable remote control to position themselves closer to the load for maximum visibility and precision. The safety system functions like a fighter jet’s autopilot: it continuously monitors lifting capacity to prevent overload. For example, if an attempt is made to lift a 3-ton load at an outreach exceeding 5.2 meters, the system will automatically inhibit the operation, protecting the crane structure from damage.

Two-in-one: Operating and Stowed Positions

The most interesting transformation happens when the job is done. The crane that has just been smoothly handling cargo must now be secured. All hydraulic cylinders retract, the telescopic boom is fully retracted, and the hook is drawn tight against the main structure by the winch. The long «arm» becomes a compact unit. In this stowed position, the crane occupies minimal deck space, is less exposed to corrosion, and is ready to withstand even the heaviest seas — ensuring that when conditions improve, it can return to operation immediately.

Dimensions

Marine Knuckle Boom Crane 2t8m Drawing

Technical specifications

ParameterValue
Safe Working Load (SWL),
min., kg
max.,kg

2000 kg; (at 8 m outreach)
3000 kg; (at 5.2 m outreach)
Boom outreach, m 2 m…8 m
Hoisting / lowering speed, m/min≥ 10 m/min
Lowering depth, mup to 25 m
Winch drive typeHydraulic
Slewing angle, °360° continuous
Slewing speed (no load), rpm≥ 1 rpm
Crane controlLocal control station (on the slewing column) + remote control pendant (wired)
Power supply3-phase, 380 V, 50 Hz
Crane weight, kg5200 kg
Operating conditions– Ambient temperature: –30 °C to +25 °C
– Heel: up to 5° (either side)
– Trim: up to 2° (bow or stern)
– Wind pressure ≤ 400 Pa
– Vessel-induced vibrations
Operating conditions (Stowed Position)– Ambient temperature: –40 °C to +45 °C
– Heel: up to 15° (either side)
– Trim: up to 5° (bow or stern)
– Wind pressure ≤ 2000 Pa
– Vessel-induced vibrations

General requirements and standards

  • The equipment complies with the «General Provisions for Technical Supervision» of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) and is supplied with a Type Approval Certificate.
  • The equipment complies with the requirements of the Technical Regulation on the Safety of Maritime Transport.
  • All electrical equipment is rated IP56.
  • All materials are suitable for operation within the temperature range of –30 °C to +25 °C.
  • Winter lay-up temperature: –40 °C.
  • The paint scheme and color shall be agreed with the Customer.
  • Preservation coatings provide an indoor storage life of 12–18 months.
  • Hydraulic system working fluid: AUP (in accordance with applicable national standards).
  • Working fluid cleanliness class in accordance with GOST 17216-71: not less than Class 12.
  • Power supply cables are provided with mating connectors.
  • The equipment is supplied with certificates issued by the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS), confirming operability at –30 °C without additional heating.
  • The equipment is supplied in packaging suitable for both crane and forklift handling, road transportation, and outdoor sheltered storage.
  • Design documentation, in the scope agreed with the Customer’s Designer, shall be provided upon execution of the supply contract:
    • General Arrangement (GA) drawings indicating connection point coordinates;
    • Dimensions of support surfaces, installation requirements, and foundation loads;
    • 3D model of the equipment (.stp format);
    • Spare Parts and Tools List indicating quantities, crate dimensions, and weights;
    • List of measuring and inspection equipment;
    • List of measuring instruments with specifying accuracy and calibration intervals;
    • Mooring and sea trials program and procedures;
    • Operation manual.

Regulatory compliance

The equipment complies with the following requirements:

  • General Regulations of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS);
  • Technical Regulation on the Safety of Maritime Transport (Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 620 dated August 12, 2010);
  • SP 2.5.3650-20 (Sanitary and Epidemiological Requirements for Transport);
  • Other applicable requirements of Russian legislation, including sanitary and veterinary regulations, occupational health and safety requirements, and industrial safety requirements;
  • The equipment also complies with all amendments and supplements in force as of the vessel’s keel-laying date (Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 719);
  • Supervision of installation and commissioning services;
  • Confirmation of industrial product manufacturing within the territory of the Russian Federation (Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 719 dated July 17, 2015).