Whether you’re looking for light weight boom lifts in Reading PA or nearly any other kind of aerial equipment you can think of, turn to Royal Forklift first. We have a wide selection of machinery from which to choose, and you can rest easy knowing it will be able to handle whatever you can throw its way. In addition, we have a team of experts who can let you know exactly which kind of equipment will be the best for your specific application.
Do You Need a Boom Lift or a Scissor Lift?
You know you have to take care of a project that requires access to a difficult-to-reach area located high above the ground. You can’t simply use a ladder, because it won’t be high enough. In addition, you’ll probably something that can transport materials or equipment. Both boom lifts and scissor lifts can handle your needs, but they have significantly different capabilities. Here’s a quick comparison of the two.
Boom Lift
A boom lift is a type of lift machinery that elevates a worker who is either on a platform or in a compact bucket. The base of a boom lift contains a hydraulic or electric lift system as well as a strong, sturdy base. Boom lifts come in two main types – telescopic and articulating.
Telescopic booms have long arms mounted at an angle to the base. It’s usually best for reaching upward, even though it does have a limited ability to extend horizontally over lower obstacles. These booms have a vertical reach of up to 180 feet. Articulating booms, on the other hand, have joints that give the arms much more horizontal flexibility. The maximum vertical reach of an articulating boom is about 150 feet.
Scissor Lift
A scissor lift gets its name from the crisscrossed braces that support a flat work platform. When the braces squeeze together, they move the platform in one direction – vertically. It has to sit directly underneath the area where work needs to be performed, and will typically have to sit on flat ground. The maximum height of a scissor lift is about 40 feet.
How to Determine Which Type of Lift to Use
Here are a few of the main considerations to keep in mind when deciding whether or boom or scissor lift will be best for your exact needs.
- Direction of movement – If you need to move a worker up and over an obstacle, then you’ll have to use a boom lift. One of the most common examples is an electrical line worker, who will often times have to maneuver around tree branches. If the worker only needs to go up, a scissor lift will probably work fine – as long as the job isn’t more than 40 feet in the air.
- The number of workers – A boom lift will typically only be large enough for one worker. A scissor lift, on the other hand, can usually accommodate two workers as well as materials and/or equipment.
- Your budget – Scissor lifts cost much less than boom lifts. However, boom lifts are much more versatile.
Please don’t hesitate to speak with a Royal Forklift representative to learn more about light weight boom lifts in Reading PA. We’ll find out exactly how you plan on using the equipment, and then recommend the best option. Call (800) 318-6722 or contact us online.