This guide will explain the main uses, maintenance requirements, common parts, and signs of wear for articulating boom lifts. It will also cover rental selection, EQS rental rates, common problems, and repair and service considerations.
Articulating Boom Lift Uses
An articulating boom lift’s biggest benefit is in terms of positioning flexibility. When reaching areas that might be hard to access with a vertical lift or straight boom, the boom can extend upwards and then swing over or around the obstacle.
Building and Facility Maintenance
Facility teams use articulating boom lifts for work such as:
The boom can be used to extend the ability of the machine to go up and over obstacles to reach building facades, roof edges, equipment, and other elevated areas.
Articulating Boom Lift Maintenance
Reliability, operating performance, component life and jobsite safety are all maintained with regular articulating boom lift maintenance. Maintenance includes routine checks and maintenance as specified by the manufacturer. ANSI/SAIA A92.22 covers inspection, maintenance, repair, safe use and operation of mobile elevating work platforms.
Daily or Pre Use Inspection
Operators should inspect the machine before use according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
OSHA requires lift controls to be tested each day before use on covered articulating and extensible boom platforms.
Hydraulic System Maintenance
Hydraulics control many boom and platform movements. Maintenance should include checking hydraulic fluid, hoses, fittings, cylinders, seals, and visible leaks.
Common warning signs include:
Hydraulic problems can have different causes. Do not assume that replacing one hose or adding fluid will solve the underlying issue. A qualified technician should diagnose significant hydraulic faults.
Boom and Articulation Maintenance
The boom and articulation points carry major mechanical loads during operation.
Inspect boom sections, joints, pins, bushings, bearings, welds, and other structural components according to the manufacturer’s requirements.
Wear in pins and bushings can create unwanted movement or looseness. Structural damage can create a more serious safety concern. Any suspected structural defect should receive professional evaluation.
Engine and Power System Maintenance
For engine powered machines, routine service can include:
Electric machines require attention to batteries, charging systems, electrical connections, and applicable drive components.
Platform and Safety System Maintenance
Inspect the platform, guardrails, entry system, platform controls, emergency controls, alarms, limit switches, sensors, and safety interlocks. Safety related components should not be bypassed or improvised. If a safety device does not work correctly, remove the machine from service as appropriate and have the issue evaluated.
Lubrication and Preventive Maintenance
Lubrication reduces friction and helps protect moving components.
Depending on the model, lubrication may involve:
Lubrication points and service intervals vary. Follow the manufacturer’s service manual rather than applying a universal schedule.
There is no single service interval that applies to every articulating boom lift. Model, age, operating conditions, hours, and manufacturer requirements all affect the correct maintenance schedule.
Articulating Boom Lift Parts
Articulating Boom Lifts for Rent: What Should You Check?
The required outreach can be just as important as working height. JLG recommends considering both horizontal reach and up and over height when selecting boom equipment.
Articulating Boom Lift Rental Cost
Rental rates for articulating boom lifts scale with working height, since taller units need more hydraulic power, a heavier chassis, and more complex boom articulation to reach the same horizontal outreach safely. Below are EQS LLC’s published rental rates across the common working height range, from a 30 foot unit suited to compact jobsites up to a 135 foot unit built for large scale industrial or infrastructure work.
