Boom Lifts

From individual contractors to far-reaching construction groups, the utility of a boom lift is easy to see when one stretches to reach some far off place in the sky, lifting workers on-high to access and normally inaccessible. That’s pretty cool! They go by a lot of names, like cherry pickers and aerial work platforms, but they’re all based on a basic design of a crane’s boom with a lift to carry it up, down, and sometimes to the side.

At Synergy Equipment, we want our customers to have knowledge and access to the best equipment around. Boom lifts are great for reaching high areas and operate in a variety of specific conditions and tasks.

They’re usually easy to transport and use, making them quite useful for companies of all kinds. Read on for more background and information about boom lifts, and when you’re ready to take a look at some great new and used units for yourself, head into one of our locations in Florida, Georgia, or South Carolina.

Brief History

Boom lifts were created by Walter E. Thornton-Trump in 1951 to make working in high places easier. He called these lifts Giraffes for the obvious comparison, but it was the nickname of cherry picker that stuck, since people often used them to pick fruit from tall trees. Boom lifts became quite popular in the area of fruit picking on account of the vast improvement over the standard height-enhancer of the era: the ladder, which are more difficult to climb and less safe on uneven ground.

Boom lifts quickly became standard equipment for many different uses. New models had articulated joints to reach up and over obstacles, while others focused on simply providing as much vertical lift as possible. Boom lifts soon appears on fire engines, which were a huge improvement to telescoping ladders, as well as for telephone cable and utility workers. There were special trucks (boom trucks) that carried these lifts, including a fire truck Thornton-Trump invented as well.

Types of Boom Lift

There are a few varieties of boom lift that see wide use today. Construction and operation are similar, but particular uses may vary.

Articulated

First are articulating boom lifts, also called knuckle boom or up-and-over boom for their ability to bend at boom joints to reach up and around obstacles. Tight turning radius and articulated movements allow for reach into smaller spaces, making them perfect for trimming trees, picking the eponymous cherry, and servicing utility lines. This is also the type of boom that is most often seen on modern fire engines, with some models including specialized water cannons for flame suppression.

Articulated boom lifts are good at working indoors on account of their ability to fit in confined spaces and availability of electric power. That means they can operate without generating harmful fumes that would be dangerous in closed spaces. An articulating boom lift also has a joint or articulation point about halfway between the platform and the wheels. That way, it can reach over an obstacle and then down again if needed.

Telescopic

Telescoping boom lifts extend out and up instead of bending. While they need more room to operate, they’re extremely stable work platforms, with hydraulics to extend and retract the booms. Controls are usually on the lift platform, so you don’t necessarily need a second worker on the ground. Telescoping boom lifts are best for working on structures like bridges or other hard to reach places without much in the way of obstacles other than height.

Telescopic boom lifts tend to offer the best height clearance, so the higher the operation, the better one of these lifts will fit the bill. They’re great when you don’t have to maneuver around additional obstacles and just need to hit those heights. Window washing a tall building is made simple with an aerial lift, and much safer.

Scissor Lift

If all you need is vertical lift, then a scissor lift is what you want. While they can only move vertically, they often offer the largest and most stable aerial work platform. This is due to the folding supports that cross in an X pattern, which is where they get their names. The platform may also have an extending "bridge" to allow closer access to the work area, because of the inherent limits of vertical-only movement. When you need to go straight up, look no further!

Whatever you call them, boom lifts are an excellent addition to any stable of construction equipment. You’ll be able to reach and wheel your way to higher places than you ever thought possible. For your chance to check out some great new and used boom lifts for sale and rental, head into one of the Synergy Equipment locations throughout Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. Come in today and let our courteous experts answer all your questions and help you find what you’re looking for.