What Are The Different Types of Boom Lifts?
Boom lifts play an important role in various industries. They are designed to lift extremely heavy weights and help the workers access areas that are otherwise unreachable. There are different types of boom lifts made to serve different purposes and you can easily find most types of boom lifts with crane rentals. From the outside, they might look the same but they differ in specifications. So, let’s take a look and try to determine which option you should go for.
Important Things To Know About Boom Lifts
Boom lifts tend to be the most common type as they are versatile and identified by their long extendable booms that help the workers reach challenging areas both horizontally and vertically. These articulated boom lifts come with varying specifications based on the customer’s needs and preferences and the job requirements.
Boom lifts also come with telescopic and articulated booms that make them the perfect option for a variety of tasks such as building, maintenance tree trimming, etc. However, there is a difference between articulated and telescopic boom lifts.
While the telescopic boom lifts are designed to reach massive heights in a straight line, the articulated boom lifts are relatively more flexible as they allow the boom to articulate allowing them to reach over obstacles. This ensures the workers are precise and accurate with their movements ensuring both safety and productivity.
Furthermore, the reason boom lifts are more popular than the other types is due to their stability at significant heights. Combined with all the features they have to offer, boom lifts are every project’s first preference.
Types Of Boom Lifts
There are various types of boom lifts that suit a variety of projects. Below is more about them so you can choose the right one more easily.
Articulating Boom Lifts
Articulating boom lifts which are also called knuckle lifts are characterized by their unique design with multiple hinged sections that allow them to maneuver through tight spaces and reach obstacles without any hesitation. This makes articulating boom lifts a very useful tool for various tasks, especially in crowded spaces.
However, articulating boom lifts are mainly used for indoor construction, maintenance, and other similar tasks. These boom lifts are not designed to lift extremely heavy weights at massive heights. The primary objective of these booms is precise positioning.
The fact that these booms can articulate or bend allows them to function in challenging conditions without having to use multiple machines. So, if you need a boom lift that helps you reach tight areas without compromising the safety and security of your workers and that too, with pinpoint precision, then, an articulated boom lift is your best option.
Telescopic Boom Lifts
Telescopic boom lifts are specifically designed to reach maximum vertical heights, making them an ideal option for tasks that demand extended heights. The biggest advantage of using telescopic boom lifts is that they can handle and manage full-weight capacity while allowing the workers to reach massive heights.
This makes these boom lifts an exceptional option for various everyday tasks such as installing utility poles, overhead construction, and other tasks related to high-rise buildings. One of the most noteworthy features of telescopic boom lifts is their ability to be stable and reach significant heights ensuring optimum safety of the workers.
These booms can extend and contract within a few minutes, allowing the workers to maintain a safe distance from a particular area or a position if an accident has occurred. Keep in mind that cranes are dangerous equipment so they need a skilled operator which is usually managed by the crane provider company.
Cherry Picker Boom Lifts
Cherry pickers also known as bucket trucks are very different from the other boom lifts as they are made for an entirely different purpose. These machines combine a hydraulic platform and a versatile boom that allows the operator and workers to attain precise positioning at heights.
These boom lifts are employed in a wide variety of applications including tree pruning, electrical maintenance, and signage installation where both stability and precision are paramount. You can rent from small crane rentals DC.
Scissor Lifts
Scissor lift booms are versatile in the sense that they can be used for both indoor and outdoor tasks where vertical elevation is required. These boom lifts come with a mechanism that resembles scissors and offers a robust and stable platform for vertical trajectories.
This means scissor lifts are most commonly used for tasks such as painting, ceiling repairs warehouse stocking, etc. Perhaps the biggest standout feature of scissor boom lifts is their ease of operation and simplicity. They are very simple to get used to and come with intuitive controls that make the operations extremely easy.
Rough Terrain Scissor Lifts
Rough terrain scissor lifts are a type that is quite similar to the electric scissor lifts but they come with tires that help them access exterior environments and rough terrains. If the task or the construction site is such that other types of boom lifts are not able to reach and multiple workers need to be there, you can rely on rough terrain scissor lifts to get the job done.
These types of scissor lifts are mostly suited for uneven terrains. Plus, if the terrain happens to be covered with mud, snow, or other external factors, the rough terrain scissor lift will easily help the workers reach without much complications.
How To Choose The Right Boom Lift?
When it comes to choosing the right boom lift, the first thing you will need to do is define your needs and preferences. As mentioned in detail, different types of boom lifts come with different specifications and functions. This means that if the tasks are indoor related, you are not going to go for a rough-terrain lift.
Furthermore, it is equally important that you ensure the lift is accessible. If the boom lift happens to be big and the construction site is difficult to reach, the boom lift will have trouble operating as well. This is why you need to be smart with your decisions and think things through.
Do Boom Lifts Need Maintenance?
Considering their purpose and usage frequency, boom lifts require maintenance just like any other construction tools or machinery. Since boom lifts tend to lift heavy weights, there is a chance of leaking, cracking, or damage. Boom lifts use oil to function and it can leak with time.
This means that you need to perform inspections both before and after the task. Make sure that you maintain a maintenance log as well to record the damage, repairs, and replacements. Some states have strict regulations regarding construction machinery maintenance.
If you spot any unusual signs or symptoms, you should immediately shut off the machine and inspect the issue. Sometimes, even the most minor leaks can prove fatal. Plus, the state can also impose a heavy fine if they find out you are dodging the regulations and standards.
Conclusion
Picking the right boom lift is surely a time-consuming process. However, if you were to follow the tips mentioned above, you will be able to make the process a lot easier. If it’s still confusing and you can’t pick the right one for your project, you should consult crane services VA. Hurrying the process will only waste your time and money.