Used Boom Lift Colorado - In terms of popular aerial machinery, the boom lift is one of the most recognizable. Boom lifts go by numerous names including cherry pickers, elevating work platforms, aerial platforms, aerial devices and mobile elevating work platforms; created to conduct jobs at higher elevations. Warehouses, companies, contractors and retail operations and more rely on boom lifts on a daily basis. Staying safe while working at high altitude is essential for daily success.
There is a wide variety of boom lift models to choose from. Most boom lifts can be successfully run with a single operator. This machine is popular for harvesting fruit in locations such as orchards that historically relied on climbing dangerous ladders. Ladders need to be secured on solid, even ground in order to be safely accessible, making them hard to rely on in a natural orchard setting. Relying on a boom lift is an easier and safer way to reach tree tops.
Gaining Access Over Obstacles
Boom lifts make working over top of obstacle much easier as many models have been engineered to travel up and over items. Having the capacity to reach an object even when you are unable to maneuver the equipment directly underneath has a variety of applications including window cleaning, telephone pole and line installation and service, fixing overhead cables and numerous other industries. The articulated boom lift is an example that has numerous joints enabling it to bend over or under items. These sections can independently move to allow workers to gain access to a variety of places. Articulated booms feature a tight turning radius, making them ideal for hallways and narrow storage corridors. The dual-fuel boom lifts provide service in both exterior and interior locations. Diesel models are used outside while electric boom lifts are implemented in interior locations.
Articulating Boom Lifts
Articulated boom lifts are commonly found on construction sites and used in maintenance applications. These machines are often seen servicing overhead wires and power lines. Firefighters even rely on them and some models feature water cannons. Maximum reach can be attained with telescoping boom sections on certain models. Certain articulating boom lifts can extend an additional six feet in any direction thanks to the additional jib in their design. The nickname “spiders” has been given to these boom lifts due to their legs which can support the machine on rough or steep terrain. Smaller units called interior articulating boom lifts are capable of fitting through doorways, making them valuable in retail, warehousing and storage facilities. Interior models are typically electric boom lifts due to their lack of dangerous carbon monoxide exhaust and quieter features.
Telescopic Boom Lifts
Telescopic boom lifts do not bend the way articulating boom lifts do. Instead, they extend outwards and upwards with hydraulics that retract and extend. The operator who is situated in the platform has the controls to operate and extend the lift on their own. Certain larger and taller models feature a jib located close to the top similar to an articulating boom lift model. Some models of boom lifts can achieve a reach of more than 180 feet. These machines are built to be stable and reliable. Some are able to extend to their full height capacity in less than 60 seconds. There are diesel and dual-fuel options with adjustable speed and weight range options from five hundred to one thousand pounds. With 4WD options and their capacity to travel through small spaces, boom lifts are used in a variety of industries. Telescopic boom lifts are your best choice for combining reach and height.
Jib
Boom lifts that have an extension between the platform and the end of the primary boom are called the jib. This enables extra reach and another articulation point or hinge for the platform to move side-to-side or up-and-down. Jibs are available on telescoping boom lifts and articulating boom lifts. Articulating boom lifts have a joint found approximately halfway between the platform and the wheels to allow it to reach over obstacles. The operator can lower the machine again afterward if required.
Genie Articulating Boom Lifts
A popular type of articulating boom lift manufactured on the market is the Genie Z-boom Model. This unit offers exceptional versatility for accessing difficult to reach locations with the capacity to lift up, over and out with precision. In 1985, the first Genie Z-30/20 articulating Z-boom was introduced; their up-and-over capacity make them instantly popular and this design continues today.
Proper Safety Measures
Of course, safety is the highest priority when operating any type of boom lift. Safety hazards must be advertised to everyone who is working in the area for best practices. Safely operating the equipment is a top priority for the operator and everyone in the working environment. Before starting the boom lift, it is paramount that the proper safety gear and communication is in place. Ensure there are no flammable or combustible items, open flame or lit cigarettes near the machine, engine fuels or battery gases. It is important to have an accessible, securely mounted and visible fire extinguisher mounted within the operators’ reach. Maintaining a clear area around charging stations and work surfaces is important as tools or clutter could damage the boom lift or cause tire punctures etc.
Daily Maintenance
It is important to conduct a visual inspection prior to operating and to consult the maintenance manual to ensure everything is up to date. Lifting and supportive devices need to stabilize the weight on hand. Fasteners, straps and chains must be regularly checked to make sure they are safe working order. Single use components and fasteners cannot be reused due to their risk of failure. Environmental contamination can be prevented by properly discarding oils safely in an approved container. Safety can be increased with proper lighting and adequate ventilation along workbenches and within workshops and garages. Maintenance is broad and typically categorized into subsections including Quarterly Maintenance, Annual Maintenance, Commissioning and Programmed Maintenance Intervals.
Maintenance Inspection Report
Main aspects of the boom lift are categorized and divided to facilitate the inspection process. Popular categories include Engine, Drive Chassis, Platform, Booms, Turntable, Controls and Function. Improperly conducting maintenance can lead to unsafe working conditions, damaged components, reduced performance and ultimately downtime. A large part of keeping the boom lift secure and operational is the maintenance inspection report that ensures the operator is safe and monitors the machine’s performance and service. A list of single maintenance procedures that need to be conducted at 50-hour and 150-hour intervals is known as commissioning. Annual and Quarterly maintenance procedures need to be performed once or multiple times a year. Programmed maintenance procedures are completed based on machine operating hours or during “pre-delivery” preparation. Set yourself up for success by consulting your maintenance manual before operating the equipment to ensure battery life, oil changes and fluid levels are ready to go.
Boomlift / Manlift PDF
