If you’ve been looking to invest in a vertical lift for your operation, you may have noticed that there are several different types to choose from and you may be feeling overwhelmed by the number of boom lifts for sale.
Boom lifts are praised for their vertical height access and durability, and come in three main types, including: articulated boom lifts, telescopic boom lifts, and trailer-mounted boom lifts. As access hire experts in South Africa, Sterling Access is here to tell you a bit more about each lift.
Articulated Boom Lifts
Articulated boom lifts, also sometimes referred to as knuckle booms, are possibly the most popular type of boom lift and they are often seen on construction sites around the world. This type of boom lift is characterised by its articulating mast, which is made up of several different segments that are connected by joints. This articulation is what gives this boom lift its versatility, and allows for lifting workers and materials “up and over” certain obstacles.
Telescopic Boom Lifts
Telescopic boom lifts, also known as straight boom lifts, do not have an articulated mast. Instead, the mast is long and straight and can be retracted and extended to meet your exact height requirements. These boom lifts are perfect for wide open spaces and can help you reach high and wide points on your site. Some potential uses include:
- Painting
- Electrical work
- Tree trimming
- Maintenance work
Trailer-Mounted Boom Lifts
Trailer-mounted boom lifts are often praised for their ease of use and overall convenience as they can be towed behind a bakkie or any 4X4 vehicle. You can move them around your site, and to different locations, with very little effort. Trailer-mounted booms provide access to heights of up to 13 metres and are perfect for projects in which you don’t need height access for very long.
The Right Boom Lift for Your Conditions
When considering which boom lift will serve your project best, it helps to think carefully about the conditions in which the lift will operate.
For example, a compact trailer-mounted boom lift might be ideal for quick residential work or smaller-scale maintenance, but it can feel limited in reach when compared to the larger articulated and telescopic machines.
On the other hand, a telescopic boom can cover large distances horizontally, which can prove to be highly valuable on big worksites such as warehouses, construction sites, airports, or stadiums.
The articulated model remains the go-to choice when a job site is cluttered with obstacles that demand a machine with flexible joints and precise manoeuvrability.
Operator Comfort and Safety
A factor worth thinking about when choosing the right boom lift is operator comfort and safety. Most modern boom lifts come equipped with features designed to reduce fatigue and increase productivity, such as smoother controls, more ergonomic and stable platforms, safety alarms and enhanced load-sensing systems that prevent overextension or unsafe operation.
These details might not seem critical at first, but over the duration of a long project, they can make a significant difference. Ensuring your team works with equipment that supports their safety and helps them be more efficient is always well worth the investment.
Transport and Storage
Transport and storage considerations also come into play when choosing the right boom lift for your project.
Larger telescopic lifts can require specialised transport, whereas trailer-mounted units are far easier to move between sites using a standard towing vehicle. If you have multiple smaller projects, you might benefit most from the flexibility of the trailer-mounted option.
For permanent or high-reach work, it makes more sense to lean toward the heavier machines.
After-Sales Support and Maintenance
Sterling Access also provides support beyond the sale or hire itself, which is absolutely critical, as downtime is expensive.
Having a reliable partner who can supply parts, service the machine, attend to repairs, and give you technical advice means your boom lift will never be left standing idle when it should be earning value on the job.
A machine that is properly maintained will deliver consistent performance, and the backing of a supplier who knows the equipment well will give you peace of mind as you navigate your demanding projects.
Making the Final Decision
Choosing a boom lift should never be rushed. If you get it wrong, it could hamper your productivity and end up costing you more.
Taking time to match the equipment to your budget, your exact working conditions, the surfaces you’ll be operating on, your transportation needs, and the types of tasks you expect to complete will help you ensure that you get a better return on your investment.
With our wide range of options available, Sterling Access can help you make a decision that will give your team the right balance of safety and performance.
Are you looking for boom lifts for sale in South Africa? Here at Sterling Access, we have a wide range of boom lifts for sale and for hire in Gauteng. With years of industry experience behind us, we are your trusted experts when it comes to your access hire needs. Don’t hesitate to contact us today for further information.
Get in touch with us today to discuss your access hire and sales needs!