What You Must Know When You Buy a Boom Lift
What You Must Know When You Buy a Boom Lift
The right tool can make all the difference, especially when purchasing a boom lift. These aerial lifts are highly versatile, offering both horizontal and vertical reach. Commonly used in construction and outdoor projects, boom lifts provide a greater reach than scissor lifts. When selecting the ideal model, it&#;s essential to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each type. Given the significant investment, thorough research is crucial before making a decision.
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Options to Consider When Buying a Boom Lift
When purchasing a boom lift, you&#;ll have several options to choose from. Some of the most popular types include:
Self-Driving Boom Lift
This is the largest type of boom lift, requiring an operator to drive the vehicle from the basket.
Towable Boom Lift
Lightweight and affordable, a towable boom lift doesn&#;t require a drive engine or chassis, making it one of the more cost-effective options.
Telescoping Boom Lift
Ideal for reaching extreme heights, telescoping boom lifts can extend up to 200 feet.
Articulating Boom Lift
With unfolding layers for enhanced basket maneuverability, an articulating boom lift is perfect for accessing tight or hard-to-reach areas.
When buying a boom lift, it&#;s important to evaluate the pros and cons of each type. Once you&#;ve determined the best fit for your needs, you can confidently move forward with your purchase.
Considerations for Your Boom Lift Purchase
Buying a boom lift is much like purchasing a car. While aerial lifts are used for industrial applications and cars for personal use, the goal is the same: finding the right fit for your needs. Here are some key factors to consider when selecting an aerial lift:
1. Terrain
Some aerial lifts are designed for rough terrain construction sites, while others are intended for mostly indoor use. Failing to consider the ground surface could lead to overpaying for a boom lift or compromising safety.
2. Load/Lifting Requirements
Consider whether your boom lift will lift just a worker with light equipment or if it needs to handle heavier loads. Pay attention to the lift requirements of any potential purchase. A helpful tip: review the manufacturer&#;s operating manual to ensure their specifications match your needs.
3. Height
Some aerial lifts can reach up to 180 feet! However, don&#;t base your decision solely on height. Assess your typical reach requirements before purchasing to avoid overpaying for a lift that exceeds your job site&#;s needs.
4. Longevity
With proper care and regular maintenance, a boom lift can last around 30 years. Thus, it is crucial to implement a boom lift care and maintenance program. This will allow you to identify and address boom lift issues before they cause long-lasting damage. It also ensures that you can avoid boom lift accidents caused by a malfunctioning lift.
5. Power Source
- Boom lifts are available with electric, diesel, or hybrid engines. Electric-powered lifts are quieter and more environmentally friendly, ideal for indoor or low-emission areas.
- Diesel-powered lifts offer more power and are better suited for outdoor or rugged environments.
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- Hybrid options combine both power sources, offering versatility.
6. Safety Features
- Ensure the lift has necessary safety features, including stability sensors, emergency lowering systems, fall arrest systems, and non-slip platforms.
- Features such as tilt sensors and overload alarms help prevent unsafe operations.
7. Cost of Ownership
- The upfront cost is just one part of the equation. Consider the cost of fuel or electricity, maintenance, insurance, and possible repairs over the lift&#;s lifespan.
- For long-term use, it may be more cost-effective to purchase a lift, while short-term projects may benefit from renting.
By keeping these factors in mind, you can make an informed decision when purchasing a boom lift that best suits your project requirements.
What to Know Before Buying a Boom Lift
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: 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: 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.
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