Choosing the right tool for the job is always important. It will ensure that you keep costs down, finish work efficiently, and avoid workplace accidents.
Boom lifts are useful tools for construction, industrial workplaces, and landscaping. But how do you choose the right boom lift for your needs?
Luckily, we’ve put together this handy guide on boom lift heights so that you can be assured you’re making the correct decision. Read on for more information!
Types of Boom Lifts
There are two main types of boom lifts on the market, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
The first boom lift type is articulating booms. These are also known as knuckle booms. This boom lift is useful for getting into hard-to-reach spots, thanks to its articulating jib that can move in multiple directions.
Articulating booms are generally used on construction sites to transport workers and materials to places where a scissor lift or regular forklift could not reach.
They generally have a lower weight limitation and total height, due to their jig design.
The second boom lift is the telescoping boom. These boom lifts tend to have the greatest vertical reach and larger weight capacities.
Forklift booms generally fall into the telescoping boom category but have less vertical reach due to the weights that they are able to carry.
Boom Lift Heights
As you can see, the total vertical height a boom lift can achieve depends on the type of boom lift you decide to use.
If you are looking for pure vertical height, go with a telescoping boom lift. These machines can reach over 185 vertical feet!
Surprisingly, articulating boom lifts are not too far behind, with the most advanced models reaching over 140 vertical feet. And articulating booms have the advantage of being highly maneuverable, as well.
For a dedicated forklift boom lift, you’re looking at a maximum height that tops out around 75 feet. However, the forklift boom has a massive advantage in weight capacity.
Boom Lift Weight Capacities
Perhaps the most important part of choosing the right boom lift for a job is its weight limit.
If you are going to be lifting lots of heavy materials, consider a forklift boom. These beastly machines may not have as much vertical reach as a telescoping or articulating boom, but they can lift up to 10,000 pounds.
Telescoping and articulating booms are not meant for carrying heavy materials, and as such top out around 750 pounds for the largest models. This is to accommodate for two or three workers using the lift at a time.
Choosing The Right Boom Lift
If you need help in choosing the right boom lifts for your job site, it always helps to consult with a professional.
Superior Industrial Products offers a full range of services for industrial machinery, including sales and rentals, maintenance, and even training. Contact us today for more information!