Stepping into the tasks concerning elevated heights, are you looking for reliable equipment that ensures high efficiency and safety? A boom lift might be the answer you are looking for. Commonly used as boom construction equipment, it is a versatile device that serves every industry. If you are new to the field, find here all the details of the equipment and associated factors to choose the best one that suits your needs. 

Get ready to learn: 

What is a Boom Lift? 

Let us begin by understanding what is boom lift? It is a lift with an aerial platform that is commonly used in construction, farms, utility lines, painting and other industries. The prime usage of a boom lift is to reach the heightened inaccessible areas. Allowing both horizontal and vertical movements, the boom equipment comprises a bucket or platform attached to the hydraulic arm, which is, in turn, attached to the portable base body. Generally, the boom lift construction equipment’s height ranges from 30 to 210 feet. 

Types of Boom Lifts 

The boom lifts can be divided into three types. They are: 

Telescopic Boom Lifts

These are the stick or straight boom lifts that are characterized by a single and non-joint extendable arm that can be stretched and retracted as needed. The telescopic lift is more suitable for open spaces and is used in works like inspecting the building, trimming the trees, painting the building, and electrical work. 

Articulating Boom Lifts 

These lifts are a popular option as they offer more flexibility compared to their previous counterparts, owing to the presence of joints or knuckles. These consume less space and can be lifted in a variety of ways and angles while also offering the option to shift the base. The features make them worthy of usage in both indoor and outdoor locations and even near the corners. 

Bucket Truck 

The bucket truck comprises a railed platform at the peak end and finds usage in the utility line. Here, the ground part includes heavy-duty wheeled vehicles. 

Boom Lift Uses

The applications of boom lifts are wide. They include: 

Construction: They are used for window installation, roofing, installation and repair of HVAC systems, inspections, and other tasks. 

Firefighting: Boom lifts play a key role in offering rescue services. They allow managing the fire, rescuing trapped people or completing the tasks. 

Film industry: Boom lifts are also used to capture aerial shots and provide lightning or sound effects in the shooting industry. Allowing to capture the unique angle, they offer safe operations. The carrying capacity further allows the transport of equipment to the site of need. 

Warehouses: With product retrieval, maintenance work, stocking, and inventory management tasks, the boom lifts offer a helping hand in warehouses too. 

Utility line: Maintaining electric lines, street lights, hanging signs and other such works mark the usage of boom lift in utility lines. 

Boom Lift Advantages 

You are aware of what is a boom equipment and the types and uses of boom lifts. Let’s head towards the advantage it serves. 

  • The prime purpose of the boom lift is to reach the heightened areas that are challenging to reach without any equipment. It also includes horizontal distances that aren’t connected with the paths. 
  • The size adjustment allows flexibility in usage as per the need, serving the purpose in confined locations 
  • The boom lift also comes with the option of single and double-operator buckets and platforms, allowing further ease of usage 
  • Their versatility makes them perfect for usage in different types of industry
  • The flexibility also allows moving around the obstacles with over, above and under movement options 
  • The presence of a covered platform offers the safety of workers. Further, there are both narrow and wide platforms to choose from
  • It comes in both electric and diesel-based fuel options, making it suitable for usage in remote and inaccessible areas 

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Boom Lift

Several factors must be taken into account when going forward with a specific type of boom lift. Here is the checklist for you: 

Height: The articulating and telescopic boom lifts cover the height from 30 to 150 feet, while bucket trucks are limited to 160 feet. 

Number of workers: The articulating boom lift is suitable for one person, while the other two options accommodate one or two people. 

Location: Articulated and telescopic boom lifts are suitable for both indoor and outdoor usage, but the bucket truck is better suited for outdoor usage. 

Direction: Telescopic boom lifts come along with a rotating base, and articulating boom lifts allow vertical, horizontal and bending moments. The bucket truck moves in two planes only, i.e., horizontal and vertical. 

Safety Measures on Using Boom Lifts 

A lifting boom offers ease in completing numerous tasks. However, safe handling is equally important to prevent accidents. Here are the measures to take while using the boom machine.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Working on the book lift requires wearing the right type of PPE. It includes:

  • Safety glasses for eye protection
  • Hard hat for skull protection from falling objects or self-fall 
  • High-visibility clothing to easily locate the workers 
  • Steel-toed boots to prevent injuries during the operation
  • A full-body harness is to be attached with a lanyard for proper safety in case of falling. 

Proper Inspection 

It is a must to ensure safe usage. The inspection must be conducted before shift-based usage of the lift, along with regular deep checkups of the equipment. Regular checkups must ensure enough fluid levels and perfectly working batteries, controls, wheels, brakes, and steerings. The worn parts, whenever found, must be immediately replaced before use. 

Safe Usage 

The usage of the boom lift must be as per the guidelines, like loading as per the limit and based on weather conditions. The right type of choice must be made based on the specifications of the lift and the task to be performed. The boom equipment must only be operated by a trained operator. 

Rent or Buy Lift Equipment with Large Lift Trucks 

Meeting your needs for safe operations at elevated heights is certainly possible, with numerous options available in the market. However, the issue comes when you need a reliable service provider. To end your dilemma with one solution for all your vehicle needs, meet Large Lift Trucks. Offering excellence for 40 years of our existence as a company, we know the ins and outs of the industry deeply. From suggesting the perfect option for you, we ensure all of our clients’ needs are met on time and with quality. Try us now with a single click or call us at (713) 670-8700.

Common Questions About Boom Lift

Q1. How is a boom lift different from a scissor lift? 

Boom lifts offer both horizontal and vertical movement, while scissor lifts are limited to vertical movement only. 

Q2. Is boom lift a substitute for cranes? 

The load capacity of the two pieces of equipment differs, making it an unsuited substitute for each other. 

Q3. Which are the top brands offering boom lifts? 

The top construction boom lift brands are Genie, Nifty and JLG. 

Q4. Where should the aerial device’s platform be positioned from the window during victim rescue operations? 

The platform must be close to the window. It must not go above the window level during the endeavor. 

Q5. Is it permissible to use a boom lift as an anchor point? 

No, the boom lift isn’t designed for usage as an anchor point. 

Q6. What are the safety features available in boom lifts?

While the features vary depending on the brand and type of equipment chosen, some of the safety features expected from the boom lifts are: 

  • Automatic leveling systems 
  • Safety harness points 
  • Emergency descent systems 
  • Advanced control systems 

Q7. Is there a financing option available at Large Lift Trucks? 

Yes, Large Lift Trucks provides financing options. With a safe, secure and confidential process, we will meet all your needs at your convenience. 

Q8. What equipment is available at Large Lift Trucks? 

We offer the following equipment for rent and sale: