A type of aerial lift, boom lifts allow for both horizontal and vertical reach. They are a helpful piece of equipment for outdoor jobs, industrial tasks, and construction projects. Boom lifts allow for a higher reach than scissor lifts but typically have a smaller work platform.
Boom lifts make reaching difficult places and heights easier than ever. Providing a more secure workspace at high heights than with a standard ladder or man lift, it provides a safe way to get work done at any elevation.
The basic components of a boom lift are a platform or bucket with a long arm that is attached to a grounded base. The arm is controlled by a hydraulic lift system that allows it to extend out and up to carry people or materials to new heights.
Boom lifts are also known as man lifts and cherry pickers. There are two main types of boom lifts: articulating boom lifts and telescopic boom lifts. Articulating boom lifts have arms that bend while telescopic boom lifts have straight arms. Telescopic boom lifts have higher weight capacities while the bending ability of an articulating boom lift makes it easier to move the bucket around objects.
A scissor lift is a large flat aerial work platform supported by a series of longitudinal braces. These brackets are squeezed together to propel the platform upwards. Scissor lifts move vertically. They must sit directly below the area the worker is trying to reach, which may limit their functionality somewhat. The base of the scissor lift needs to be placed directly next to the workspace on a flat, stable surface so that the personnel on the lift can access the project. Scissor lifts can typically reach heights of approximately 40 feet.
A boom refers to the arm-like piece that connects from the platform to the grounded base. It is an extensible crane-like arm that uses hydraulics to extend and contract to achieve the desired height. There are two distinct types of boom that a boom lift can have: A telescopic boom or articulating boom.
Also called a straight or stick boom lift, a telescopic boom lift features a single hinged extendable arm that can stretch out across the distance. A telescopic boom lift is best used for work in open spaces or on rectangular structures.
Also called a knuckle boom lift, an articulating boom lift features a variety of “arms” which can move the platform into tight spaces or around obstacles. An articulating boom lift is best used for complex structures or in tight and crowded spaces.
Another type of lift is the scissor lift. The difference between the two is that a scissor lift moves strictly up and down while a boom allows for a forward reach, and – depending on the arm type – can provide more flexible movement at a height.
Whenever a project calls for work at elevated heights, contractors choose a boom lift. Increased stability, easy mobility, and higher capability offer increased safety for workers working at heights and can help make a project both safer and more efficient.
Boom lifts can be a helpful tool when doing projects in the air. These projects include but are not limited to:
Erecting scaffolding
Fruit picking on farms
Painting walls and ceilings
Lighting work
Hanging signs
Boom lifts are best used when something higher than a forklift is needed. They can be fitted with tires, treads, or track and have two-wheel or four-wheel drive. They can also be used outside or inside and fueled by either diesel, gas, electricity, or a mix of hybrid power.
Boom lifts also come in a variety of sizes, platform heights, and boom capabilities. There are straight and articulating boom lifts in a wide range of platform heights. Many lifts have self-leveling capabilities so that operators can set them up and start using them in a short amount of time.
- Reach Comparison: Boom lifts provide greater overall reach than scissor lifts.
- Telescopic Boom Lifts: These offer the maximum vertical reach, often two to three times higher than scissor lifts.
- Height Consideration: The required work height is crucial in deciding between a boom or scissor lift. Boom lifts are ideal for extremely high work areas on tall structures or within trees, while scissor lifts can be used for heights below 20 meters.
- For work areas that aren’t completely clear of obstacles, an articulating boom lift is the best choice.
- Articulating Boom Lifts: With multiple hydraulic boom arms, these lifts allow the operator platform or bucket to maneuver over, under, or around obstacles such as scaffolding or building frameworks.
Each boom and scissor lift comes with a manufacturer-rated safe weight limit (SWL) and a specified maximum number of occupants for the platform or bucket.
It is crucial to never exceed the SWL to ensure operator safety.
Weights contributing to the SWL include the combined weight of the workers and any tools or materials used for the task.
For projects requiring numerous heavy tools and supplies, a larger lift with a higher SWL is necessary. Scissor lifts, with their larger platforms, are better suited for lifting multiple personnel along with tools and materials, while boom lifts typically accommodate only one worker.
The location of the work is a crucial factor in determining the appropriate type of lift.
Boom lifts are primarily used for outdoor applications, such as construction sites, while most scissor lifts are designed for indoor use in factories and warehouses.
However, specially engineered rough terrain scissor lifts can be utilized outdoors on construction sites and other locations, making them an exception to the indoor usage rule.
Consider the height of the project. A scissor lift will only lift your workers about 40 feet. This is sufficient for most residential projects and for interior tasks. However, if you are trimming towering trees or working on a high-rise building, 40 feet may not be enough. Articulated and telescopic boom lifts can reach more than three times that. If you need something high enough, these are the best option.
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