There are significant differences in structure, function, and application scenarios between articulated arm crane and straight arm crane. The following are the core differences between the two:

1. Structure and working principle

Folding arm mobile crane: It adopts a joint structure driven by multiple hydraulic cylinders, similar to a mechanical arm, and can be folded and contracted. Flexible movements, capable of lifting complex angles, suitable for narrow spaces.

Straight arm crane: It achieves vertical lifting and lowering through a single telescopic arm and a wire rope hoisting mechanism, with a simple structure and intuitive operation, suitable for long-distance lifting in open environments.

2. Applicable scenarios

Advantages of folding arm crane:

Narrow spaces: such as warehouses, workshops, city streets, etc., folding design saves space.

Multifunctionality: It can be equipped with auxiliary tools such as work platforms and fixtures to adapt to special operations (such as high-altitude maintenance and cargo grabbing).

Advantages of straight arm crane:

Large scale operation: Expand the depth by extending the steel wire hook, suitable for open areas such as construction sites and docks.

Vertical accuracy: Steel wire rope controls takeoff and landing more smoothly, suitable for lifting tasks that require precise positioning.

3. Performance comparison

Efficiency: The folding arm crane has faster hydraulic driving action and higher efficiency; The straight arm crane has a slower wire rope retraction speed.

Stability: The center of gravity of the straight arm crane is dispersed, and the chassis load is more uniform during lifting; The center of gravity of the articulated crane is concentrated, which may exert significant pressure on a single axle.

4. Operation and maintenance

Operation difficulty: The straight arm crane is easy to operate, similar to a car crane; The folding arm crane requires coordination of multiple hydraulic cylinders and has high technical requirements.

Maintenance cost: The structure of the folding arm crane is complex, and the difficulty of maintenance and the cost of accessories are high; The straight arm crane is easy to maintain and has low cost.

5. Price and Market

Cost: The folding arm crane is expensive due to its precision hydraulic system; The straight arm crane has a simple structure and is affordable.

Regional preference: The domestic market is dominated by straight arm cranes, while Europe and America prefer folding arm cranes (especially for narrow environment operations).

selection suggestion

Choose a folding arm crane: If frequent operations are required in narrow spaces, multifunctional auxiliary equipment or high-efficiency tasks (such as logistics, urban engineering) are needed.

Choose a straight arm crane: If the operating environment is open, the budget is limited, or simple vertical lifting is required (such as construction sites or dock foundation operations).

There is no absolute superiority or inferiority between the two, and a comprehensive selection should be made based on actual job requirements, budget, and environment.