Boom lifts are the ideal Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP) for handling tasks in hard-to-reach sites dozens of feet in the air, such as tree trimming, utilities work, overpass inspections, and even disaster relief and rescue.
Unlike other aerial lifts that can only raise a work platform vertically, such as scissor lifts or mast lifts, boom lifts can elevate workers and their equipment vertically and horizontally. This flexibility allows your teams to navigate out, over or around obstacles to safely reach the work area.
Now understanding the capabilities a boom lift can bring to you or your team, you may be wondering, “With multiple boom lift rentals near me, which one is right for my project? How do I know what boom lift sizes to consider?”
Well, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, you’ll learn how to select the right size and type of boom lift rental for your project.
Importance of Choosing the Right Boom Lift Size and Type
Boom lifts — sometimes called “cherry pickers”—are a type of aerial lift where the work platform (or bucket) is attached to a moveable arm called the boom.
Boom lifts allow teams to work safely and productively at elevated project sites which would otherwise be difficult or impractical to reach with other types of aerial lifts or scaffolding. From telecommunications to construction and infrastructure engineering, boom lifts offer many industries the versatility and precision they need to work efficiently at height.
However, there are many boom lift sizes and types to choose from, and it’s important to select the right one. If you rent a boom lift that is too small, crews won’t be able to reach their work area or will need to make more trips up and down, wasting valuable time. If you rent a boom lift that is too large or more powerful than your project requires, you risk damaging the terrain or nearby property.
Articulating vs. Telescopic Boom Lifts: What’s the Difference?
There are two main types of boom lifts, and each can be found in multiple boom lift sizes.
- Articulating Boom Lifts: Also known as a knuckle boom, the boom of an articulating boom lift has two or three joints (or “knuckles”), giving it the dexterity to move the platform up and over or around obstacles. Articulating boom lifts require less clearance and space than telescopic boom lifts, making them the better choice for narrow spaces and precise positioning.
- Telescopic Boom Lifts: The boom of a telescopic boom lift is not jointed like an articulating boom lift. Instead, it extends or collapses within itself like a telescope. These lifts usually have wider bases and more reach than articulating boom lifts, making them ideal for work at extreme heights, on rough terrain or when lifting heavier materials.
How to Select the Right Boom Lift Rentals for Your Project
To choose the right boom lift rental for your project, consider the characteristics of the project site and your project’s workflow. By taking the following steps, you will be better prepared to select the best boom lift rental for your project.
1. Determine the Required Boom Lift Height and Reach
When shopping for a boom lift rental, you’ll notice that all boom lifts are listed by their maximum lift height, such as “125 ft. Articulated Boom Lift.”
Therefore, the first step to selecting the right boom lift size is to determine the maximum lift height you need and how the work platform will reach the highest and farthest point of the work area.
For example, if you’re installing windows on the ninth floor of a building, the maximum vertical height is likely to be at least 100 feet. But what about reach? Is there room to park the boom lift right next to the building? Are there obstacles in the way, such as trees, utilities or signage?
In addition to vertical height, you need to consider how far horizontally and diagonally the boom will need to reach and if there is anything the boom needs to navigate around. It may be necessary to explore a boom lift with a jib, the attachment that provides additional lateral movement and precision when trying to reach difficult positions.
Make sure to select a boom lift size that’s bigger than your largest use measurement. Doing so will help keep workers safe by minimizing the chance they’ll try to reach beyond the platform.
2. Assess the Size and Weight Capacity of the Platform
Next, calculate the approximate size and weight of all workers and materials or equipment that will be lifted, and select a boom lift platform size and capacity slightly larger than what you need. Ensuring crews have a large enough platform to move around and work easily will help keep work moving and minimize safety hazards, such as tip overs or falls.
For example, if crews will be lifting large materials for bridge repairs, a telescopic boom lift is more likely to have a wider platform than an articulating boom lift. However, if your project requires just one worker and small tools to be on the platform, then an articulating boom lift may be the better option.
3. Consider the Work Area and Accessibility
By now, you know what boom lift sizes are going to offer the height, reach and platform capacity your team needs. But don’t finalize your choice until you’ve asked, “How wide is a boom lift? Does the project site have space for it? How will it access the work area?”
Telescopic boom lifts are designed for providing exceptional stability while reaching the highest work areas. As such, these boom lift dimensions are typically larger and heavier than an articulating boom lift’s dimensions. Likewise, you might find that a compact, towable articulating boom lift is the best option for a tight space.
Once you’ve evaluated the ground conditions, obstacles and access points, select a boom lift with a machine width and length that will fit easily on your site and a total machine weight appropriate for the terrain.
4. Account for Safety Training
Once you’ve narrowed your choices of which boom lift to rent, don’t forget to factor in safety training to your project’s workflow. Think safety first and always. Not only is safety training a must, boom lift safety training is worth the time and investment because it helps teams maximize efficiency while reducing the risk of falls, tip overs, injuries or property damage.
Everyone who will be working on or near a boom lift will need training on its use and how to maintain a safe work site.
Training ensures that crews understand how to safely:
- Drive or tow a boom lift, including understanding safe travel speeds.
- Know when to operate a boom lift and when not to operate the lift (e.g., windy conditions or when there is not enough ground clearance).
- Ensure the boom’s circumference and base are clear in case of a tip over.
- Minimize the risk of a tip over by remaining under the weight capacity.
- Work on the platform while wearing a harness.
- Adhere to boom lift regulations.
3 Questions to Ask When Looking for a Boom Lift Rental
Renting a boom lift has many advantages over expensive equipment ownership. You won’t have to deal with the hassle and costs associated with the large down payments and regular maintenance requirements. Renting also gives you access to the latest make and models and the newest technology, right when you need it. You can also find the exact right equipment for your project rather than using the same piece of equipment that doesn’t exactly match your needs.
Finding the right equipment rental partner can make all the difference. Here are three questions to ask when searching for boom lift rentals near you:
- Do they have the boom lift sizes and types I need? A reputable equipment rental partner will provide a boom lift size chart or consultation with an expert to help you determine exactly what size boom lift you’ll need.
- Do they offer equipment delivery or towable boom lift options? Having a partner who takes care of coordinating equipment delivery and pick up, or utilizing a partner to train your team on how to safely tow equipment themselves, can help make your job easier.
- Can they help with safety training or certification? Some equipment rental providers can provide safety training or access to certified boom lift operators or other training programs.
Find the Boom Lift Sizes You Need at Herc Rentals
When your project needs the access and reach only a boom lift can offer, turn to the equipment experts at Herc Rentals. We offer articulating and telescopic boom lift rentals in a variety of sizes and capacities from leading manufacturers. Want to support sustainability efforts or prefer hybrid options? Herc Rentals offers that, too.
Our wide variety of Genie lift sizes and JLG boom lift sizes ensures your project gets the superior quality and reliable performance you deserve. All equipment receives comprehensive maintenance so it’s in peak condition and ready to work at your site.
Plus, with Herc Rentals, you can have access to operator safety training and train-the-trainer training. Not only that, our team of experts help you find the right boom lift for your project, and deliver it to your worksite or help you determine how to tow a boom lift safely.
