Skid-Lift Legs adjust outward to increase the size of the footprint when needed and up and down to allow you to compensate for uneven terrain and ensure the lift has solid footing to sit on no matter what kind of terrain you throw at it.
The Skid-Lift can be put on a trailer while attached to the Skidsteer for quick on and off loading to get working quickly. It can also be loaded using the forklift pockets using a standard forklift. Made to be moved on the same trailer as a standard Skidsteer trailer, it makes getting to and from job sites a breeze.
You will likely see a boom lift on any construction site. They are used for interior and outdoor tasks, including painting, window washing, roofing, and more. In this article, we will discuss what a boom lift is, what it does, and how it differentiates from other aerial lifts.
A boom lift, also known as a cherry picker, is a type of aerial lift. Boom lifts work by connecting a hydraulic arm to a platform or bucket. The arm is attached to a massive four-wheeled base. Boom lifts are well-known for their capacity to travel in practically every direction, making them more versatile than other aerial lifts. They are classified into three types:
Boom lifts provide a secure workspace for work at heights up to 180 feet, making them sought after for various industries such as construction, maintenance, and agriculture. Contractors prefer them for jobs at elevated heights requiring stability and different reach types. They have better mobility and greater reach capacity than other aerial lifts, making boom lifts a popular and efficient choice. Typical jobs that boom lifts are used for include:
Before operating a boom lift, the operator should conduct a series of maintenance checks to ensure the machine is in working order. Before starting the machine, the operator should secure the necessary tools and materials and analyze the project details.
Look for hazards such as unstable surfaces, holes, drop-offs, overhead obstructions (such as a sloping ceiling or power lines), and ground obstructions such as debris in the work zone. Check the weather. Boom lifts should not be used in icy or windy conditions. Here are some general principles for operating a boom truck:
Lifts vary in model and brand, but these functions serve as a general guideline for their operation. It is best to reference the manufacturer's operating manual for precise instructions on operating a boom lift.
To become boom lift certified, complete a training course, pass a written test, and practice in a practical setting. This ensures high-altitude jobs' safe and effective operation with proper training and arrangement. OSHA requires operator certification for boom lift operators to maintain their jobs safely.
Employers must provide boom lift operators with OSHA-approved training and certification to ensure compliance with aerial work platform (AWP) safety standards. This training ensures employees pass practical exams and stay updated on regulations.
One of the easiest ways to ensure thorough and compliant boom lift certification is to purchase online boom lift training from an OSHA-authorized online training provider like us. We'll cover all the classroom topics and ensure workers understand the material with quizzes and tests. We provide Articulated Boom Truck Operator Safety Course Training in various ways here at OSHA.com.
Aerial lifts or Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWP) are large vehicles that use booms or other means to lift personnel to a desired work area. Many different kinds are used to reach heights differently, such as side by side or right under. Sound familiar?
OSHA regulations state that "only trained persons shall operate an aerial lift," but does not go any further on safety training. As a result, it is the obligation of the employer to develop and provide safety training for their employees who work on, with, or around any sort of aerial lift, including a boom lift.
Telescopic boom lifts can typically handle a larger load than articulated lifts. Both straight lifts and articulated lifts can have the upper end of boom lifts' weight capacity, but there are more straight lifts with 1000-pound capacity than articulated lifts.
Height and range (the horizontal reach) are also important. Most commercial models of straight boom lifts are between 40 feet and 135 feet tall. Articulated boom lifts are a little shorter, between 30 feet and 80 feet tall. Generally speaking, horizontal reach increases with height, but the ratios vary by model.
The tallest boom lift in the world is made by Bronto for servicing and repairing wind turbines, introduced in 2017. The Bronto Skylift S295 HLA has a vertical lift of 295 feet and an up and over capability of 190 vertical feet and 105 horizontal feet. Previous record-breakers from other manufacturers range from 185 feet to 210 feet.
First of all, you need formal training or certification on how to operate a boom lift safely. If you're using a boom machine for work, a boom lift license is legally required, but even if you're renting a cherry picker for personal use, you want to take boom lift safety training.
Before operating a boom lift, you should inspect all vehicle components, lift components, and your work area for safety. Check fluid levels, safety systems, and other key mechanisms to ensure everything is in working order.
When you operate the boom lift, you should engage all safety systems and set up work zone warnings. Engage proper fall protection and use outriggers or wheel chocks for stability. Stay within weight limits and horizontal/vertical reach limits. Pay attention to overhead hazards and stay at least 10 feet away from any power lines and communication cables.
Operators need to complete boom lift certification before they operate a boom lift on the job, and OSHA says employers should retrain operators when a different type of aerial lift is introduced, if they observe improper operation of the lift, after new workplace hazards involving the lift are discovered, and after a boom lift-related accident.
One of the easiest ways to ensure thorough and compliant boom lift certification is to purchase online boom lift training from an OSHA-authorized online training provider like us. We'll cover all the classroom topics and ensure that workers understand the material with quizzes and tests.
Enhancing the operator experience, the LED display in the platform and ground controls on JLG HC3 boom lifts improves visibility by sensing ambient light conditions and adjusting brightness to optimize operator comfort and readability.
Whether you're looking to rent or purchase an aerial lift, the first thing that must be accomplished is choosing the right lift for the job at hand. There are many different types of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms or MEWPs (formerly referred to as AWPs) available from multiple manufacturers.
If you're an expert certified aerial operator, you will have no problem deciding which type of aerial lift is right for the job, but if you're new to the world of MEWPs, here are some of the criteria for choosing the right lift:
Take a look at our Aerial Lift Types diagram that depicts types and sub-types of aerial lifts as well as power source. Visit our Lift Specification Library for detailed model specific information on all types of aerial lifts from major manufacturers such as Genie, Skyjack, JLG, Snorkel and more.
Scissor lifts have a base that is the same size as the work platform and are designed to lift personnel and their equipment vertically. Most modern scissor lifts come equipped with an extension deck that will allow a minimum of horizontal reach. Scissor lifts are typically available in platform heights that range from 15 to over 50 feet high.
This type of scissor lift has a low ground clearance and is best suited for inside jobs on a concrete floor where very low emissions are required. Most electric scissor lifts are equipped with non-marking tires. Narrow widths are available that can easily go through a 36" framed door opening.
This type of scissor lift can be used to travel over rough terrain to where the work is needed. Available in diesel, dual fuel (gas & LP), hybrid (comes equipped with an onboard gas powered generator that can charge the batteries when needed even when no electric service is available) and 4 wheel drive as options. Some models are equipped with outriggers for elevating on sloped surfaces. Rough terrain scissor lifts generally allow higher occupancy and weight limits.
Boom lifts are an excellent solution for hard-to-reach jobs and/or jobs that require considerable heights, delivering a stable and secure work platform. Boom lifts are typically available in platform heights that range from 30 to 135 feet high.
This type of MEWP has a maneuverable boom that extends in a straight line from a base. Telescopic boom lifts offer the greatest horizontal reach of all aerial lifts. They are available in diesel or dual fuel (gas & LP) power options as well as 4 wheel drive and can travel safely over rough terrain outdoors.
These mobile elevating work platforms are equipped with a movable boom arm with multiple sections that hinge or articulate, allowing the operator to gain access to work areas over obstacles and barriers. Also referred to as knuckle booms or up-and-over booms, these versatile MEWPs are perfect for tight access and hard-to-reach areas.
Engine powered articulating boom lifts (available in dual fuel and diesel power options) are an excellent choice when a combination of vertical lift, horizontal reach and rough terrain maneuverability is needed.
Trailer mounted or towable boom lifts let you tackle many of the same jobs as other electric or engine powered booms, but with an extremely portable transportation option. They can be hooked up to the bumper hitch of most pickup trucks and towed by the operator to the job site without the need of heavy equipment transport. Available in gas or electric power, towable boom lifts are great for construction, exterior painting, decorating or maintenance tasks.
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