What to Consider When Purchasing a New Knuckle Boom Propane Truck

Unlike trucks with a straight boom, trucks with a knuckle or articulating boom can bend and move more flexibly when lifting loads. This unique advantage makes them highly effective at loading and unloading heavy objects of different sizes, such as propane tanks.

Obtaining the right knuckle boom propane truck helps enhance your business’s efficiency and safety. If you’re buying a knuckle boom propane truck, it’s important to know various factors such as the boom height, hauling and lifting capacity, safety regulations and more. Before making your purchase, be sure to review the following key points.

1. Know the Knuckle Boom Height

While a knuckle boom truck is maneuverable, it might limit operations if you don’t get the proper boom height. Choose a truck with sufficient boom length for deliveries in the city or rural areas. This involves understanding the environment you’ll be working in and the size of your propane tanks.

For example, if you’re working at a facility with many obstacles, such as barriers or containers, you’d need a knuckle boom long enough to move over them easily. In another scenario, if you’re handling a large and elongated propane tank, the truck’s articulated boom should be able to extend adequately to lift and move the tank horizontally. 

Select a knuckle boom truck that can lift the load safely without bumping surrounding objects on your jobsites.

2. Check the Load Hauling and Lifting Capacity

Before you buy a knuckle boom crane truck, evaluate your hauling and lifting requirements. Determine the maximum load you will carry in the truck and the heaviest propane tank you expect to lift during operations. This will help you narrow your search for a propane truck with the proper manufacturer load limits.

Insufficient hauling capacity will prevent you from carrying heavier loads. Hauling a heavier load than the vehicle is rated can compromise stability, making the truck harder to steer and potentially leading to accidents. Excessive load pressure can also cause serious damage to key truck components, such as the transmission, suspension, and tires. 

Similarly, if you buy a knuckle boom truck with inadequate lifting capacity, the risk of overloading the crane increases, potentially leading to equipment failure and safety issues. While you can retrofit the truck to increase the lifting capacity, this incurs an additional cost.

3. Compliance with Operational Safety Regulations

Uphold proper safety training for your operators and all employees involved. Before buying a knuckle boom propane truck, be ready to support your team with training and certifications if they lack experience and safety knowledge. 

For example, operators should use stabilizing supports, outriggers, and blocking methods required by the manufacturer to prevent instability and tipping accidents. If weather conditions are unfavorable, such as storms and strong winds, operations should be postponed to prevent unnecessary risks. More importantly, operators should receive training in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, covering the following topics:

• Safe operation procedures: These methods include ways to prevent common hazards such as tip-overs and struck-by accidents.
• Load handling techniques: Workers should follow careful techniques to ensure that loads are distributed properly and to avoid overloading.
• Emergency response protocols: Operators must know what to do in case of equipment failure or other emergencies.
• Inspection and maintenance: Adequate upkeep needs to be performed regularly to keep equipment in safe working condition. 

4. Explore Knuckle Boom Propane Accessories

Consider any specialized accessories you need for your propane service and installations. Here’s a list of knuckle boom propane truck accessories you might need: 

• Flat hook ratchet straps: This strap safely secures a propane tank to your truck or cargo bed. Fisk Tank Carrier offers a heavy-duty flat hook ratchet strap to accommodate tanks up to 15,000 pounds.
• Gas cylinder slings: To safely lift a propane gas cylinder vertically, consider the 420 Cylinder Upright Sling. Its colored straps also help you identify the top and bottom of the sling.
• Adjust-a-links: This adjustable chain works well with cranes, allowing you to lift and move propane tanks with ease. The 14-foot adjust-a-link from Fisk Tank Carrier can lift a 500-gallon propane tank.
• Placards: According to Federal Hazardous Materials Regulations, vehicles must display the proper hazmat placard when transporting propane tanks. A 1075 hazmat placard indicates that the truck is carrying flammable gas.  
• Outrigger pads: Composite outrigger pads provide equipment with a larger surface area, evenly distributing their weight. Fisk Tank Carrier’s 18-inch composite outrigger pad relieves equipment pressure from the ground. 
• Tank jack: If you need to lift your tank for general propane tank maintenance, block positioning and painting, get a reliable propane tank jack. The Fisk Tank Jak can lift tanks up to 1,000 gallons. 

5. Consider Maintenance and Service Options

Before buying a knuckle boom propane truck, be prepared to handle maintenance demands. Regular maintenance is essential when operating a knuckle boom propane truck to ensure safe and reliable performance. Knuckle boom cranes have more moving parts and greater power demands than traditional straight boom cranes, so they require more frequent maintenance checks. 

It’s also important to follow the manufacturer’s recommended service intervals and seek out certified service providers who specialize in articulated boom cranes. This proactive maintenance approach helps avoid costly repairs and downtime, ensuring your propane truck works efficiently. Consider incorporating the following maintenance steps:

1. Frequent inspections: Perform a thorough inspection before every use to identify potential issues before they escalate. Check for hydraulic leaks and signs of wear and tear. 
2. Lubrication and fluid checks: Keep the boom’s moving parts well-lubricated to reduce friction and ensure smooth operation. Regularly check filters and replace them as needed.
3. Hydraulic system maintenance: Routinely check hydraulic fluids to ensure the proper levels. Thoroughly inspect hoses and pumps for leaks and damage for timely replacement.
4. Record keeping: Maintain a detailed log of all maintenance activities to track the condition, performance and manufacturer recommendations for your propane truck. 

Trust Fisk Tank Carrier for Top-Quality Propane Knuckle Boom Trucks

Choose a reliable and well-designed knuckle boom truck to boost your propane business. At Fisk Tank Carrier, we provide new knuckle boom trucks built specifically for the propane tank service and installation industry. 

Give your business a competitive advantage with our durable, high-performance options. Our engineers have decades of experience crafting innovative and versatile designs. We can help you get high-quality propane parts and accessories for your unique needs. We also have a selection of quality used knuckle boom trucks available now. 

Contact us online to learn more about our propane tank service and installation trucks. Our friendly and committed staff look forward to working with you. Request a quote today!