Explaining an Articulating Boom Lift

Whether you’re working indoors or outdoors, your jobsite likely has obstacles. Pre-existing structures or large stacks of building materials can prevent your team from reaching the area your work needs to be done in. If you need a manlift with the flexibility to place your workers exactly where they need to be, it’s time to look into an articulating boom lift rental.

Discount Lift Rentals can source and manage the best equipment rentals at the best price, no matter the size of articulating boom lift you need. Consider us your personal rental equipment concierge!

What Is an Articulating Boom Lift? 

When you think of a construction lift, a telehandler or a forklift might come to mind. While those machines excel at lifting materials, an articulating boom lift lifts people.

An articulating boom lift is a specialized manlift which can be used both indoors and outdoors (gas/diesel powered versus electric powered). Equipped with a basket on the end and an elbow in the middle of the arm, these construction lifts provide great maneuverability. In fact, there’s no better machine to get your workers up, over, and around obstacles than an articulating boom lift.

Some people also call boom lifts “cherry pickers;” however, people also call engine hoists this same nickname. Be careful not to get this confused with an engine hoist as we do not supply that kind of rental. An articulating boom lift is a very popular lift rental because it lets your workers get into hard to reach areas. Because they come in different sizes and weight capacities, there are a few things to consider in choosing the articulating boom lift that’s best for your project.

Choosing an Articulating Boom Lift

There are a few criteria that determine which articulating boom lift rental is right for your project:

• Work environment. Articulating boom lifts are available in electric and propane for indoor use, diesel and gas for outdoor work, and “dual fuel” for both inside and outside. With the “dual fuel” option, you can change from diesel to propane with the flip of a switch!
• Work surface. Gas/diesel lifts must be used for rough terrain, while electric boom lifts with smaller tires and a lower ground clearance are the best option for work on smooth surfaces and indoors.
• Workspace. If you only have a small area in which to work, a small electric lift might be best because it can easily maneuver through tight spaces. Additionally, since you’ll need to store the machine during your project, make sure you have enough room to store the lift when it’s not in use.
• Timeline. When you rent one of these lifts for a week or even a month, you are getting a discounted rate. There are large discounts off the daily price for weekly and four week rentals.
• Transportation. To avoid any issues with transportation, we do not allow customers to transport any lifts. We will deliver the lift right to your jobsite and pick it up from the same place so you don’t have to worry about coordinating this or having a vehicle that would be able to tow this massive equipment. Once the lift is onsite, you will be able to drive the lift around from place to place.

Discount Lift Rentals takes the guesswork out of finding the perfect boom lift rental for your unique project. Just provide us with the details of your project and we’ll set you up with the best equipment rental available for the best price.

Which articulating boom lifts are best suited for each type of project?

You need the right tools for the right job—including a boom lift. If you are working indoors with tight spaces, use an electric or propane articulating boom lift. These are especially helpful inside warehouses or factories that already have operational machines and other structures installed.

Conversely, many diesel-powered articulating boom lifts can handle rough terrain like an unpaved lot. Since these tend to be larger machines, more workers and equipment can fit in the basket. When necessary, some helpful features can be included on the lift itself. An example of this would include power to the platform. This means that there is an electrical outlet that will allow the technician to plug in electric equipment such as power drills and other similar tools.

What attachments are available for articulating boom lifts? 

Special jobs require special attachments. When you choose an articulating boom lift, you’ll need to consider any attachments you might need—and the weight that those attachments add.

Some specialty construction lifts come with fittings like a glazer kit for windows or a welder for metalwork. These can be pricey and hard to come by, particularly because some yards do not carry them at all. If you need something like these, make sure to call with plenty of lead time so we can source the right lift for your job. Remember that Discount Lift Rentals is your equipment rental concierge. Just let us know if you need attachments for your boom lift rental!

Using an Articulating Boom Lift Safely

Safety is paramount during a construction project. Fortunately, articulating boom lifts are extremely safe. First, the worker inside the basket should be wearing a harness that keeps them secure (which are not included in the rental of the lift). Leaning out of the basket to reach something or going over a bump could be hazardous without the harness.

Second, each articulating boom lift comes equipped with a two system switch control. The operator must simultaneously press a foot switch and engage the controls. This removes the threat of moving any part of the lift accidentally. Third, most construction boom lift manufacturers and construction companies require anyone working in one of these lifts to wear a hardhat at all times. Osha standards should be strictly adhered to in any facility where the lifts are being used.

Additionally, it’s important to be careful when driving the boom lift throughout your work area. Many boom lifts can drive over small hills but are equipped with a tilt sensor to ensure the angle isn’t too steep. The best practice is to stay on a flat, level surface as much as possible.

Available Articulating Boom Lifts

Articulating boom lifts are available in a range of sizes and weight capacities for the basket the worker will be lifted up in. Most can lift at least 500 pounds and accommodate up to two workers. However, there are also larger boom lift rental options if you need to support closer to 1,000 pounds.

Here’s a quick look at some of the most popular articulating boom lift rental options:

• 45’ articulating boom lift: 45’ platform height, 500-pound platform capacity, 25’ horizontal reach, 24’ up-and-over height
• 60’ articulating boom lift: 60’ platform height, 500-pound platform capacity, up to 43’1” horizontal reach, 26’6” up-and-over height
• 80’ articulating boom lift: 80’ platform height, 500-pound platform capacity, up to 59’5” horizontal reach, 32’1” up-and-over height
• 125’ articulating boom lift: up to 1,000-pound platform capacity, 63’2” horizontal reach, 60’6” up-and-over height

Each boom lift has a safety envelope that dictates how much weight the machine can support. The weight capacity of the basket decreases the higher and longer the weight is extended. Discount Lift Rentals is happy to find the right lift for your project—just be sure to provide us with the most accurate information so we can find the safest lift for you.

Discount Lift Rentals Has the Right Manlift for Your Project

You don’t have time to waste searching for the best articulating boom lift for the best price. Fortunately, that’s our specialty! Discount Lift Rentals is a concierge service dedicated to not only providing customers with great equipment within their budget—but also managing the equipment rental throughout your project.

As a proud family-owned business, we provide upfront pricing with no hidden fees. Contact us today to learn more about how we can set up your next project for success with the perfect boom lift rental!