By Seth Skydel

“ The knuckleboom market is poised for steady growth in 2026, driven by infrastructure, utilities, marine and energy projects,” said Tony Hampton, director of sales, PM at Tadano Manitex.“ Demand will be strongest in metropolitan areas like Northern Virginia, Atlanta and Dallas – Fort Worth, where data center and power infrastructure work is booming.”

At Iowa Mold Tooling Co.( IMT), John Field, sr. sales manager, anticipates a flatter first half of 2026 for knuckleboom sales followed by a stronger second half, especially if interest rates ease.

“ Market conditions for 2026 appear favorable in several segments, particularly utility, which looks strong, and rental fleets, which are expected to remain robust,” Field said.“ Building supply and housing demand should also lift replacement cycles for aging crane fleets.”

As the complexity of construction and infrastructure projects expands, so does the need for versatile and adaptable equipment, noted Greg Sneek, product manager – articulating cranes at PALFINGER North America.“ Operators looking for solutions to complex lifting tasks are often turning to knuckleboom cranes,” he said.“ Industries such as tree care, railway and utilities are leading adopters of knuckleboom cranes.”

Fueling Demand

The need for equipment that can operate in confined spaces and handle diverse lifting challenges is fueling demand for knuckleboom cranes in several industries.

“ Knuckleboom cranes are also increasingly closing the gap with traditional

PALFINGER knuckleboom crane innovations include smart controls, such as stabilizer force limitation systems, and intelligent boundary systems that allow operators to define safe working ranges.

22 l July-August 2026