A machine for lifting and handling loads with an orientable articulated placing jib, comprising a mast with a rotating pivot, an articulated jib (16) comprising a jib foot (19), articulated at its first end on the top of the mast by a horizontal rotation axis (27), a jib head member (18) articulated for rotation by a horizontal articulation axis (32) at the second end of the jib foot, a jib holding assembly comprising at least one stanchion (7), a jib holding line (11) and a moving counterweight (100) connected to the jib by the said holding line. The counterweight is made to follow a guiding track (1) with a variable slope (.alpha.), integral with the rotating pivot, supporting the said counterweight, arranged opposite to the jib, and where the variations in slope (.alpha.) are chosen so that the counterweight exerts a set of variable forces on the said jib and on the structure of the said machine, helping to balance the machine during movements of deployment/retraction of the jib in articulated working mode.