What is a Telescopic Boom Lift and What is it Used For?

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A telescopic boom lift is a very versatile piece of equipment that allows an operator and a passenger to access work at sometimes incredible heights. This machine is favored by tradespeople for its ability to not only provide safe access to work at heights but also for its ability to maneuver across all kinds of terrain - within some parameters, which will be discussed below. 

Another great benefit that comes with utilizing one of these highly adaptable aerial working platforms is its ability to circumnavigate obstacles, thanks to its unique ability to reach up, over, and around obstructions. In this article, we are going to dive into the main features and uses of this machine and explore a couple of different variations as well as the tasks that they are suited for. 

What is a Boom Lift?

Boom lifts are extremely useful and as such, a popular aerial working platform solution. You’ve almost definitely seen them in action, but for the purposes of this article, let’s assume you’ve never laid eyes on one of these machines before. A telescopic boom lift is generally characterized by large all-terrain tires which are mounted to a chassis. On this chassis, you will find a counterweight and a set of auxiliary controls, before your eyes are inevitably drawn to the large boom and man basket. This is where it gets its name, and what makes it unique as well as useful. The boom sets this machine apart from other access solutions like a scissor lift because a scissor lift must be maneuvered to nearly directly underneath the work that is to be done. This can present a problem when the work needing to be done has an obstruction underneath. This is not a problem for a boom lift, however. Even the most rudimentary of models will have the ability to swing its boom and lift the personnel up and over the obstacle to access the job. Booms, however, do more than simply lift and swing. The ability to telescope or scope in and out allows the operator to maintain a great level of maneuverability and stability and position their machine while scoped in. Once in position, they can scope the boom out, greatly extending the reach of the machine and granting the operator many options and abilities in terms of access. This is great, but for some machines, that’s not all that the boom can help you with. Consider this scenario. A worker must access work at heights on the side of a building. Between them and the work to be done stands a fence that is higher than the work on the other side of it. We’ll assume it is inaccessible by other means - perhaps a shark-infested moat runs between the fence and the job. Why not? It’s a heck of a job we’ve taken on! Anyways, this is an obstacle that even a straight-arm boom lift would not be able to navigate. It could raise personnel up and over the fence but would become ‘boom-bound’ when it tried to lower them to the work on the other side. This a job for a man lift with an articulating boom. An articulating boom lift is a fancy way of saying the boom has an elbow in it. It bends. In a telescopic boom lift with an articulating boom, the configuration is usually a short boom that comes out from the chassis and away from the operator, and then elbows back into the long boom. The short arm, when down, is usually tucked into the counterweight. This allows the operator to come up on the short arm, elevating the pivot point up above the obstacle - in this case, a fence and moat. They can then use the main arm of the boom to descend to the other side and complete the job. As you can see, this machine is extremely useful for working at heights. As such it finds a home in many spheres of work. So, what are some of these?

Telescopic Boom Lift Uses

Generally speaking, the industry that uses these machines the most is construction. They are built for accessing hands-on work at heights. They are heavily favored by ironworkers for their maneuverability and reach. This allows connectors to access the beams without climbing columns or in some cases, walking the steel at all. Any trade that works on the exterior of a building will find a great use for these. Cladders, siding installers, roofers, cleaners, glaziers, and more will all find these machines to be exceptionally useful.

Telescopic Boom Lifts at MAK Industries

A locally owned and operated business like MAK Industries is the ideal place to rent, buy or service your boom lift. They are superbly knowledgeable in all aspects of machinery and construction equipment like the boom lift. MAK Industries is a supplier that prides itself on a reputation of expertise and service that they have built from the ground up. Contact one of their helpful and exceptionally knowledgeable sales team members today to learn more.

Boom lifts are extremely useful and as such, a popular aerial working platform solution. You’ve almost definitely seen them in action, but for the purposes of this article, let’s assume you’ve never laid eyes on one of these machines before. A telescopic boom lift is generally characterized by large all-terrain tires which are mounted to a chassis. On this chassis, you will find a counterweight and a set of auxiliary controls, before your eyes are inevitably drawn to the large boom and man basket. This is where it gets its name, and what makes it unique as well as useful. The boom sets this machine apart from other access solutions like a scissor lift because a scissor lift must be maneuvered to nearly directly underneath the work that is to be done. This can present a problem when the work needing to be done has an obstruction underneath. This is not a problem for a boom lift, however. Even the most rudimentary of models will have the ability to swing its boom and lift the personnel up and over the obstacle to access the job. Booms, however, do more than simply lift and swing. The ability to telescope or scope in and out allows the operator to maintain a great level of maneuverability and stability and position their machine while scoped in. Once in position, they can scope the boom out, greatly extending the reach of the machine and granting the operator many options and abilities in terms of access. This is great, but for some machines, that’s not all that the boom can help you with. Consider this scenario. A worker must access work at heights on the side of a building. Between them and the work to be done stands a fence that is higher than the work on the other side of it. We’ll assume it is inaccessible by other means - perhaps a shark-infested moat runs between the fence and the job. Why not? It’s a heck of a job we’ve taken on! Anyways, this is an obstacle that even a straight-arm boom lift would not be able to navigate. It could raise personnel up and over the fence but would become ‘boom-bound’ when it tried to lower them to the work on the other side. This a job for a man lift with an articulating boom. An articulating boom lift is a fancy way of saying the boom has an elbow in it. It bends. In a telescopic boom lift with an articulating boom, the configuration is usually a short boom that comes out from the chassis and away from the operator, and then elbows back into the long boom. The short arm, when down, is usually tucked into the counterweight. This allows the operator to come up on the short arm, elevating the pivot point up above the obstacle - in this case, a fence and moat. They can then use the main arm of the boom to descend to the other side and complete the job. As you can see, this machine is extremely useful for working at heights. As such it finds a home in many spheres of work. So, what are some of these?Generally speaking, the industry that uses these machines the most is construction. They are built for accessing hands-on work at heights. They are heavily favored by ironworkers for their maneuverability and reach. This allows connectors to access the beams without climbing columns or in some cases, walking the steel at all. Any trade that works on the exterior of a building will find a great use for these. Cladders, siding installers, roofers, cleaners, glaziers, and more will all find these machines to be exceptionally useful.A locally owned and operated business like MAK Industries is the ideal place to rent, buy or service your boom lift. They are superbly knowledgeable in all aspects of machinery and construction equipment like the boom lift. MAK Industries is a supplier that prides itself on a reputation of expertise and service that they have built from the ground up. Contact one of their helpful and exceptionally knowledgeable sales team members today to learn more.