Boom Lift Buying Guide

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Buying an aerial lift for your construction business or project is a valuable long-term investment. The right boom lift can save you and your team time on the work site and allow you to take on new work in the future. They are also safer and more versatile than alternative options, including ladders. Let&#;s take a look at the information you&#;ll need to know as you plan for your purchase.

The Right Boom Lift for Your Needs

Before you make your investment, you must choose the right lift for your needs. Some of the most common types of aerial lifts for construction jobs include:

• Telescopic: Telescopic boom lifts have a straight, extendable arm attached to a turntable. Telescopic lifts are fast, and you can sometimes drive them across the site while extended. These machines offer a smooth ride for the operator and worker.
• Articulating: Articulating lifts, also known as knuckle booms, have joined segments that unfold based on your site requirements. This makes them highly maneuverable and ideal for challenging work sites.
• Scissor: Scissor lifts do not have extendable arms like boom lifts. Instead, they have a wide platform that extends upward via accordion-like mechanisms. They are a safer alternative due to their stability and space, but they cannot reach as high as boom lifts.

How Much Does a Typical Used Boom Lift Cost?

The cost of a used boom lift depends on its age, type, model, size, the current market and who you&#;re purchasing it from. Popular models with many built-in features or larger, heavy-duty machines might be more expensive than a more basic, compact model. Ultimately, it all comes down to the type, age and condition of the machine.

What to Look for When Inspecting Used Boom Lifts for Sale

If you want to keep your purchase cost minimal or aren&#;t ready to invest in a new machine, the secondhand market has plenty of used boom lifts available in great condition. Practice caution when purchasing used machines and check that the aerial lift performs as it should, looks well maintained and is free of extensive damage. For best results, only shop with certified used equipment dealerships rather than private sellers.

As you shop, consider the following:

• Condition vs. listing: Bring a copy of the listing with you and compare how it matches up to the condition you&#;re seeing in person, including tire condition, external wear and tear and misalignment. If the listing left out important information, consider shopping elsewhere.
• Specs and measurements: Record the specs of each machine you&#;re interested in and compare them to see which one is best for your job site. Consider the equipment&#;s operational hours, how it was used in the past, what brand, type and model it is, its dimensions and its load capacity.
• Features and upgrades: You may want to look for used aerial lifts with special features or owner upgrades, like optimized hydraulic systems, reinforced materials or higher-rated platform capacities.

Review Vehicle Components

Use the following aerial lift inspection checklist to determine whether the used boom lift is a valuable investment:

• Condition: Inspect external wear &#; including the frame, bucket and segments &#; and note any corrosion, rust and chipped paint. Check for oil stains, leaks, debris or unusual smells in the oil reservoir. Assess wiring for frays.
• Performance: Turn the lift on and listen to the engine. Note any abnormal thumping or rattling sounds. Test the arm and lift mechanism for proper alignment and smooth, fluid movement. Avoid purchasing a lift that jerks while operating. Extend and retract the arm fully. If possible, test the lift with and without a load.
• Modifications: Note and inspect any modification areas, if applicable. Possible modifications might include cuts, welds or railings.
• Controls: A critical part of boom lift inspection is testing each operator and emergency control for full functionality, including the key switch, brakes, lights and backup alarm. You should repeat this process each time you use your boom lift.
• Tires: Different types of boom lifts have different tires, including bias or radial designs. Radial tires are better at absorbing any shaking or movement while in motion, while bias tires are often more durable. Tires are also filled with either air, foam or rubber. Check the type of tire the boom lift has, including signs of wear, punctures, patches, age, brand and number of operational hours they&#;ve been in use.

Is It Welder-Ready?

Welder-readiness refers to how ready the equipment is for welded-on attachments. Lifts are either not yet suitable for welding, welder-equipped or welder-ready. If the lift isn&#;t welder-ready or welder-equipped, you&#;ll have to source a power supply and welder or outsource the project to a professional if you plan to make modifications.

Does the Age of the Lift Matter?

It depends on what you&#;re going to use your boom lift for, the intensity of those projects and how long you want your investment to last. Boom lifts are strong and durable, but the newer a machine is, the longer you can expect it to last with proper care and maintenance. You should also keep in mind that if an older boom lift breaks, it may be more challenging to find the parts it needs.

Age is not as important to note as service history and performance. A 10-year-old boom lift that has been maintained and serviced regularly may be a better investment than a newer machine with extensive damage, dirt buildup or performance issues. Boom lift life expectancy varies depending on a few critical factors, including the quality of its construction, how well it&#;s been cared for and hours of strenuous operation.

Areas to Consider

Consider the following key areas while comparing aerial lifts:

• Work area needs and considerations: Consider the types of places you plan to operate the aerial lift. Are they primarily indoors, outdoors or both? Do you have an overhead clearance, ceiling or doorway height to consider when selecting a size? How tall do you need the arm to extend? How often do you plan to use your new boom lift? If you&#;re buying used, is the equipment new enough to last you a long time? Are there any specific terrain-related considerations you need to account for when selecting tires, like hills or sinking mud?
• Height, range and weight capacity: Use the information you&#;ve collected about your work area needs to choose the dimensions for your boom lift. Be mindful of the height and width if working indoors. Always measure equipment before purchasing.
• Service history: If you&#;re buying a used machine, consider its service history, including past failures or damage, whether it has any replacement parts, how often the former owner had it serviced by a professional, what kind of maintenance plan the current or former owner used, its total hours of operation and the type of work for which it was used.
• Financing and warranties: Choose a machine that comes with a warranty, service or parts replacement plan to protect your investment. Some sellers may also offer financing on select machines, pending eligibility.

Choose a Seller You Can Trust

Chicago Industrial Equipment is your go-to resource for buying or renting aerial lifts. We carefully inspect, repair and engage with each of our machines before offering them to you at a competitive price. Each of our lifts is designed to accommodate workers and materials up to various heights, depending on the make and model you choose. Shop our boom lift inventory and find a Chicago Industrial Equipment location near you to get started.

Articulated boom lifts are continuing to grow in popularity on jobsites due to their up-and-over efficiency, coupled with low noise and the ability to use accessories for niche applications. But these machines are evolving quickly, so we spoke with industry experts to find out what you should consider when choosing one for your fleet. Lindsey Anderson reports.

A natural rental item, today&#;s articulated boom lifts offer fleet owners a versatile machine that can fit into almost any situation. More and more electric and hybrid models are making these machines ideal for use indoors or in residential areas. Here&#;s what leading industry experts had to say. 

Domink Damm, global product director, booms, Genie

The first step is to know your customer and understand their applications and jobsite needs. Beyond that, rental houses can make sure their employees know and understand the benefits of an articulating boom lift, so they can help recommend applications where an articulating boom lift might be able to increase productivity and efficiency.

The second is to consider the total cost of ownership, rather than just the initial purchase price. That includes how much it will cost to maintain the machine over its lifespan, as well as the cost of repairs and lost

rental revenue if the machine breaks down. TCO also includes residual value, and how much you can expect to get for the lift on the secondary market when you&#;re ready to replace it.

The third pertains to electrified machines in particular: Making sure that the battery solution is a well-tested, quality product, especially with lithium-ion.

Lithium-ion refers to battery chemistry, but the batteries themselves can be vastly different, and quality can vary dramatically. A high-quality lithium-ion solution should be designed specifically for the equipment it is being used in, so you can be sure it can withstand the conditions it will face on jobsites. Likewise, whether the equipment was purpose-built as an electric machine or a converted diesel model can also impact battery performance. Finally, it&#;s important to understand what testing occurred to ensure longevity and reliability, and what certifications, if any, the battery has received.

Sinoboom North America

Take into account the total cost of ownership over the equipment&#;s lifespan, including maintenance, repair, and operating costs. Opting for a higher-quality, more reliable model might entail a higher upfront investment but could save you money in the long-term by reducing downtime and repair expenses.

For more Articulated Boom Lift For Saleinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

Understand your applications; evaluate the specific requirements of projects and understand the needs of different products which will increase the working efficiency.

Consider future scalability; anticipate potential growth or changes in your operations and choose a boom lift model that offers scalability.

Connor Stanmore, product manager, JCB

Invest in telematics and connectivity. Select lifts with integrated telematics for real-time monitoring and data analysis. This technology helps you track equipment usage, schedule maintenance proactively and optimize fleet management, ultimately reducing downtime and operational costs.

Second, prioritize advanced safety features. Look for machines equipped with enhanced safety features such as immobilizers, load-sensing technologies and live load management information. This technology reduces accident risks and ensures maximum protection for operators and nearby workers.

Nate Hoover, director of product management, JLG

When equipment owners are looking to purchase new articulating boom lifts, we suggest following these three tips before making their decision:

1) Look at more than just the purchase price of the machine. Fleet managers should consider everything from their budget to the specific tasks that must be completed with the machine. For example, having too much &#; or too little machine &#; can present challenges. It&#;s important to evaluate the available options based on machine specifications like stability and capacity, as well as the brand&#;s reputation for reliability and safety.

2) Calculate the machine&#;s total cost of ownership over its lifetime. Fleet managers should account for factors like financing the purchase, parts availability, maintenance intervals, service and warranty work, telematics and digital tools to manage the equipment, operator and technician training, and the brand&#;s resale value.

3) Ask what else the brand provides to support its products. Fleet managers should understand what accessories, options, tools, and technologies the manufacturer offers to enhance the users&#; experience with its equipment. They should also be able to access the information they need to know to successfully own and operate an OEM&#;s articulated boom lift.

Gary Crook, VP of engineering, MEC Aerial Work Platforms

Consider when the machine will be used on improved or rough-terrain surface applications. Is up-and-over clearance height more or less important than outreach? Would the premium for an electric/hybrid machine in application flexibility be the wiser choice over traditional diesel engine power?

Advancements in electrification of articulated booms

A key factor to consider when purchasing an articulated boom lift is its power source. Electric and hybrid models are becoming increasingly common choices due to the benefits they can offer in reducing carbon emissions as well a noise on jobsites. 

&#;The shift towards electric and hybrid boom lifts has been largely driven by the need for lower emissions, quieter operation, and compliance with environmental regulations,&#; says Connor Stanmore, product manager, JCB.

&#;As battery technologies develop, it makes it a much more viable solution on all sites because of the extended use time, which therefore reduces downtime and increases productivity. While there may be a higher initial investment into electric/hybrid articulated boom lifts, more customers are starting to recognize the long-term fuel cost savings, maintenance and operation efficiency that often result in a lower total cost of ownership.&#;

Nate Hooever, director of product management at JLG, notes that JLG currently offers several boom lift models with electric or optional electric power.

&#;Specific articulating boom lift models include the H340AJ, E300AJP, E400AJPN and E450AJ models. These machines are proven to produce reduced emissions and offer a quieter work area, providing our customers and users with environmentally friendly, energy-efficient products that reduce carbon footprints and noise pollution while keeping productivity on job sites high. JLG electric articulating boom lifts also require less scheduled service because they depend less on hydraulic oils.&#;

Electrified models are ideal for indoor environments and residential areas, notes Sinoboom North America, whose models feature fast charging capabilities, &#;reaching 100% in just 4-7 hours, minimizing downtime, while regular charging takes about 6-13 hours.&#;

MEC&#;s recently introduced DualReach 85-J Boom is available in a Hybrid power source.

&#;A single AC motor driving into a 4WD axle-based drive system produces the highest energy efficiency and the simplest motor control parts,&#; explains Gary Crook, VP of engineering, MEC Aerial Work Platforms. &#;A small and fuel-efficient generator extends the duty cycle range, allowing up to one month of electric machine operation from one tank.&#;

Genie has been at the forefront of electrification for some time now, says Dominik Damm, global product director, booms, Genie, noting the company&#;s FE hybrid lifts and its DC electric articulating boom lifts models.

&#;Genie&#;s investment in Acculon Energy will help us continue to be a leader as we move into the next generation of battery technology,&#; says Damm. &#;While we aren&#;t ready to talk about what&#;s coming next, I can tell you I&#;m excited about the projects in our development pipeline. The solutions will be purposefully developed and rigorously tested for reliability, durability, and will add value in terms of the total cost of ownership.&#;

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