Finding the right boom lift for your operations is half the battle. These mobile elevated work platforms are critical to designing an efficient and safe approach your operators can depend on while working at heights. Establishing a secure workflow requires having the right boom lift equipment at your disposal. Let's look at what you should know before purchasing a boom lift to ensure you find the best model for your needs.
Types of Boom Lifts
Boom lifts are powerful tools, available in two main variations that are popular for raising one or two people to heights between 30 and 100 feet. While both options offer similar capabilities, they differ in performance:
- Articulating boom lift:Â Also known as knuckle lifts, these tools use a jointed arm to enable movement around and over obstacles to access hard-to-reach areas conveniently.
- Telescopic boom lift:Â This type of lift uses an extendable straight boom to enhance aerial reach at various heights, most commonly in outdoor locations.
What to Look for in Your Boom Lift
Once you understand the type of boom lift you'll need for your operation, you can begin to narrow down your options based on the following considerations:
Consider Your Location
Where you work is a crucial factor in your equipment choice. You'll need a mobile elevated work platform that can pass through doorways or entrances, maneuver around obstacles and successfully traverse the terrain without damage. Articulating boom lifts are ideal for indoor applications as they provide more flexibility thanks to their bendable arms and smaller footprints, while telescopic lifts offer optimized stability in larger areas.
Understand Your Working Height
Boom lifts are known for their impressive vertical extension and horizontal reach, known as range. These factors determine how high and far your bucket can stretch to access your work area. Compact models offer working heights between 30 and 50 feet of vertical lift, while larger options can often stretch to more than 100 feet tall. Selecting a model with a height capability that aligns with your warehouse layout will facilitate effective operations and a stable work environment to keep your team safe.
Choose a Power Source
Lifts can be powered by diesel fuel or an electric battery. While diesel-powered models are often more powerful and efficient, they require work to be done outdoors to avoid a buildup of toxic fumes. Electric options don't emit pollutants but need downtime and access to outlets or other power sources to charge.
Know the Capacity You Need
Depending on your operations, your team must carry various tools, supplies and equipment up to working height. You should estimate your lift capacity based on these factors to determine what lift is right for your needs. Standard boom lifts can typically hold up to 500 pounds comfortably, with various options offering strengths of up to 1,000 pounds. Understanding how much weight you're likely to have on a job will ensure you avoid undersized or oversized equipment, leading to unfinished operations or wasted fuel.
Learn More About Boom Lifts From LiftOne
Enhance your workflow with high-quality boom lifts from LiftOne. We carry a variety of mobile elevated from the industry's foremost manufacturers, offering the performance and safety your operations deserve. Contact LiftOne for more information about our construction boom lifts today!
