The Ultimate Articulating Boom Lift Dimensions and Sizes Guide

Updated, June 19, 2024

A type of boom lift commonly used in construction, articulating boom lifts can also be called knuckle lifts. The primary differentiator between straight boom lifts versus articulating boom lifts is that the latter can reach up and over obstacles. This is because they have multiple joints, allowing them to maneuver more easily around the obstacles.

Available with electric or diesel-powered models, articulating boom lifts can be effective across different terrain types. When comparing boom lifts to scissor lifts, boom lifts allow for a higher reach but typically have a smaller working platform and lift capacity. Boom lifts can only fit up to two people and have platform capacities of around 660 pounds.

As a popular type of construction lift, there are several boom lift manufacturers in North America including Genie, JLG, Haulotte, Skyjack, and more. In this spec guide, we've highlighted all of the current articulating boom lift models for the major brands. You can navigate to each brand or boom lift size by clicking the links in the table of contents below.

Table of Contents

• Articulating Boom Lift Dimensions and Specs by Brand

  • Genie

  • Haulotte

  • Hy-Brid Lifts

  • JLG

  • Manitou

  • MEC

  • Nifty-Lift

  • Skyjack

  • Snorkel

  • XCMG

• Articulating Boom Lift Dimensions and Specs by Size

  • 30' articulating boom lifts

  • 45' articulating boom lifts

  • 60' articulating boom lifts

  • 80' articulating boom lifts

  • 100' articulating boom lifts

• The Important Articulating Boom Lift Specs and Why

  • Platform and Working Height

  • Horizontal Reach

  • Machine Width and Length

  • Platform Capacity

  • Engine Type

• Renting an Articulating Boom Lift

Articulating Boom Lift Specs By Brand

Genie

One of the most popular aerial lift brands in the industry is Genie. Their electric models can run an entire day on one charge and their gas-powered models have excellent fuel efficiency. Their largest articulating boom lift, the ZX-135/70, is the second-tallest articulating boom lift in the world. Providing a working range of 141 feet in the air, to go along with a horizontal reach of almost 70 feet, this machine is built to handle your biggest jobs.

With several machines available for rent or purchase, there are few brands in the industry able to match the range of machines that Genie provides.

Genie Articulating Boom Lift Dimensions and Sizes

Haulotte

While Haulotte may not be as well known as its competitors, they are still one of the best articulating boom lift manufacturers on the market. Their electric models, are economical and environmentally friendly, allowing you to decrease your footprint while increasing your productivity. The HA32 models are designed for indoor use, while all their other lifts can be used on outdoor terrains.

Find Your Next Equipment Rental on DOZR

45 ft, Dual Fuel, Articulating Boom Lift Rentals

30 ft - 150 ft

Electric, Dual Fuel

60 ft, Dual Fuel, Articulating Boom Lift Rentals

30 ft - 150 ft

Electric, Dual Fuel

80 ft, Dual Fuel, Articulating Boom Lift Rentals

30 ft - 150 ft

Electric, Dual Fuel

SEE ALL EQUIPMENT ON DOZR

All of Haulotte's lifts are designed to maximize their reach and limit tail swing. This gives operators best-in-class horizontal reach and competitive working heights while allowing for work in confined spaces. Offering quality models for projects of all sizes, Haulotte deserves to be considered for your next boom lift rental or purchase.

Haulotte Articulating Boom Lift Dimensions and Sizes

Hy-Brid Lifts

Hy-Brid Lifts originally started in 1981 as a welding and fabrication business. Today, they produce several construction lifts including articulating boom lifts, scissor lifts, telehandlers, and vertical mast lifts. While they currently only have one boom lift model, the AB-43JNE, it's still a great machine capable of helping contractors who have jobs that don't require full reach.

Hy-Brid Lifts Articulating Boom Lift Dimensions and Sizes

JLG

Since everyone's familiar with JLG, it's no surprise that they're one of the best rental or purchasing options for articulating boom lifts. With several models offering working heights from 40 feet up to 156 feet, JLG has the world's largest articulating boom lift, the 1500AJP, and has machines for any application.

All JLG articulating boom lifts are designed to work in difficult spaces where you must go up and over obstacles. Many of their models also provide tight turning bases that allow them to maneuver easily in compact spaces, making working on a crowded job site a little less hectic. This is especially true for their smaller models, such as the 340AJ. Providing everything from compact, maneuverable models to the best working height in the industry, JLG has everything you're looking for in an articulating boom lift and more.

JLG Articulating Boom Lift Dimensions and Sizes

Manitou

While Manitou is more known for material handlers like telehandlers and skid steers, they also produce mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) like articulating boom lifts. Their smallest model is the Manitou MAN'GO 33, which is diesel-powered and has a working height of 39 feet. On the larger side, they have the ATJ 60 RC, which is a rough-terrain lift that has a working height of just under 67 feet. While they have a great mix of electric and gas-powered models, Manitou does not have any models that can reach over 60 feet vertically.

Manitou Articulating Boom Lift Dimensions and Sizes

MEC

MEC is an equipment manufacturing company that focuses solely on aerial work platforms like scissor lifts and, of course, articulating boom lifts. Currently, the only articulating lift they have is the 40-AJ, a 40-foot, diesel-powered model. However, in the past, they've also manufactured the 45-AJ, a 45-foot, diesel-powered lift.

Find Your Next Equipment Rental on DOZR

45 ft, Dual Fuel, Articulating Boom Lift Rentals

30 ft - 150 ft

Electric, Dual Fuel

60 ft, Dual Fuel, Articulating Boom Lift Rentals

30 ft - 150 ft

Electric, Dual Fuel

80 ft, Dual Fuel, Articulating Boom Lift Rentals

30 ft - 150 ft

Electric, Dual Fuel

SEE ALL EQUIPMENT ON DOZR

Because of the limited number of models, MEC isn't nearly as commonly used as many other manufacturers on this lift. However, they are a trusted brand in the aerial lift industry and have extensive expertise in building telescopic and scissor lifts.

MEC Articulating Boom Lift Dimensions and Sizes

NiftyLift

With a wide range of sizes and models, NiftyLift is an often underappreciated articulating boom lift brand. However, with the brand's focus on reliance and cost-effectiveness, contractors and lift operators should consider NiftyLift in their rental and purchasing decisions. They have electric, hybrid, and diesel models, as well as models that are equipped for both indoor and outdoor terrains.

All NiftyLift models lift between the range of 34 feet and 85 feet vertically. The "N" in the name of the model denotes that the machine is narrower, while the "E" refers to the engine type. Models with the 4x4 highlight the 4WD of the machine, insinuating their ability to work in rougher terrains. The SP85 4x4 is also the largest hybrid model on the market, making it a great option for high-reach, indoor use cases.

NiftyLift Articulating Boom Lift Dimensions and Sizes

Skyjack

Known for their quality and reliability, Skyjack provides articulating boom lifts with tight turning radiuses and excellent lift capacities. With their control system, Skycoded, their machines are the easiest to troubleshoot and repair. This limits project downtime and lowers total cost, which is always among the top priorities for contractors.

Although they have a limited portfolio of only five models, they focus on delivering the best quality to their customers in each lift. Offering premium fuel economy and a reduced footprint, their SJ30 ARJE model is electric, and both machines marked AJ+ are eco-friendly. This is partially due to their decreased weight, allowing greater flexibility to work on sensitive surfaces. Skyjack also provides systems to maximize your productivity and ease of use.

With their EasyDrive feature, the controls of the lift are always oriented to the position of the operator. This reduces confusion and allows the driver to easily reposition the bucket and move the machine.

Skyjack Articulating Boom Lift Dimensions and Sizes

Snorkel

Combining a superb range of motion with power and precision, Snorkel's articulating boom lifts are incredibly versatile at height. Snorkel booms are designed for tough jobs and are tailored specifically to the rental industry, making ease of operation and maintenance a priority.

The newer Snorkel 600AJN model features a double articulating boom. A 60 ft boom lift, this model is designed for use in tight spaces. Only seven feet wide, offering zero tail swing, and equipped with pivot steering, it provides outstanding maneuverability for crowded job sites. To go with its incredible performance, high-capacity batteries give this machine a clean, long-lasting performance to minimize downtime on the job.

Similar to other companies, the "E" in the name highlights the machine's electric engine, the "N" signifies that it's a narrower model, while the "RT" means that it has 4WD and is suitable for outdoor environments.

Snorkel Articulating Boom Lift Dimensions and Sizes

XCMG

Another brand that's probably more recognized for its non-lift equipment like excavators, XCMG also manufactures a limited amount of articulating boom lifts. With only three current models, XCMG's lifts have platform heights between 45 and 61 feet. The "C" in the model title highlights the fact that the machine is electric. 

XCMG Articulating Boom Lift Dimensions and Sizes

Articulating Boom Lift Dimensions and Specs by Size

While we won't go into further details below, we've also created charts and tables for articulating boom lifts according to reach capacities.

• 30' articulating boom lifts

• 45' articulating boom lifts

• 60' articulating boom lifts

• 80' articulating boom lifts

• 100' articulating boom lifts

30' Articulating Boom Lift Specs, Dimensions, and Sizes

The biggest articulating boom lift in the 30-foot category is the Genie Z-40/23N with a vertical reach of 40 feet and a horizontal reach of 23 feet.

45' Articulating Boom Lift Specs, Dimensions, and Sizes

The NiftyLift SP50 4x4 is the largest articulating boom lift in the 45-foot category with a vertical reach of 50 feet, 6 inches and a horizontal reach of 31 feet.

Find Your Next Equipment Rental on DOZR

45 ft, Dual Fuel, Articulating Boom Lift Rentals

30 ft - 150 ft

Electric, Dual Fuel

60 ft, Dual Fuel, Articulating Boom Lift Rentals

30 ft - 150 ft

Electric, Dual Fuel

80 ft, Dual Fuel, Articulating Boom Lift Rentals

30 ft - 150 ft

Electric, Dual Fuel

SEE ALL EQUIPMENT ON DOZR

60' Articulating Boom Lift Specs, Dimensions, and Sizes

The Haulotte HA61 LE Pro is the largest articulating boom lift in the 60-foot range with a vertical reach of 62 feet, 8 inches, and a horizontal reach of 39 feet.

80' Articulating Boom Lift Specs, Dimensions, and Sizes

The NiftyLift SP85 4x4 is the largest articulating boom lift in the 80-foot range with a platform height of just over 85 feet and a horizontal reach of 62 feet.

100' Articulating Boom Lift Specs, Dimensions, and Sizes

The largest articulating boom lift with over 100 feet of reach is the JLG 1500AJP which has a platform height of 150 feet and a horizontal reach of 75 feet. It is the largest articulating boom lift in the industry.

Important Articulating Boom Lift Specs

Now that we've highlighted the different articulating boom lifts by brand and by size, it's important to discuss the important specs. For this guide, we chose: the maximum platform and working height, maximum horizontal reach, machine width and length, platform capacity, and engine type.

Platform and Working Height

The maximum platform height is the highest the actual bucket of the boom lift can reach at its most vertical point. The maximum working height factors in the average height of the person in the basket. Because of the industry trends, they often assume the person within the basket will be at least six feet tall. This is the most obvious spec to consider when choosing your boom lift rental or purchase, as the height of the job is typically the main reason a boom lift is rented.

Horizontal Reach

Maximum horizontal reach measures how far out the bucket can extend, rather than how far up. This is important if obstacles are preventing you from getting close to the target area, and you'll need to park the machine further away to reach it. As a general rule of thumb, the higher the maximum working height, the higher the horizontal reach will be.

Machine Width and Length

While this is helpful if someone is picking up an order or hauling a machine themselves, where this comes in handy is when determining if the boom lift will fit in a tight space or not. For example, many smaller, electric models are used indoors. Knowing the width of the machine provides an understanding of whether the machine will fit through the doors of the building and have enough space to operate without being obstructed.

Platform Capacity

There are two types of platform capacities when it comes to boom lifts: restricted platform capacity and unrestricted platform capacity. Unrestricted platform capacity is the load limit the lift can bear within its full working range. The amount a machine can lift often depends on how far it is extended horizontally. The further the arm is extended horizontally, the less it can lift. So the unrestricted platform capacity is the weight it can always lift, no matter how far outreached the boom is. Some models also have a restricted platform capacity, which is the maximum load possible on the platform within a restricted working range. The maximum capacity within the restricted range is often 1,000 pounds.

Engine Type

Engine type determines whether the machine is electric or diesel. Electric models are mostly used indoors where emissions need to be eliminated. Some electric models can be used outdoors as long as the terrain is paved and flat. There is also a growing number of electric models with 4WD, making electric models much more common. However, most electric models have a maximum reach of 60 feet, limiting the number of jobs where they can be utilized.

The second type of engine is the diesel-powered engine. They range from 30 feet to 150 feet and are to be used only in outdoor settings. Most, if not all, diesel-powered models have 4WD and can be operated on rougher terrains. 

Renting an Articulating Boom Lift

Although many of these brands are similar in their product offerings, there are some key differentiators outside of just their specs. One example of this is boom lift attachments: Genie, JLG, and Skyjack each provide an extensive line of accessories you can pair with your model to maximize your productivity. When searching for your rental, pay close attention to detail, not all models with similar specs perform the same.

With more than 80 models available, searching for the perfect articulating boom lift rental is never easy. We hope this spec guide has helped you decide which brand you need or at least given you a starting point for your search.

Whether you're looking for a 30-foot, 80-foot, or 150-foot articulating boom lift, you can find your next articulating boom lift rental on the DOZR Marketplace today. Not sure if an articulating lift is the right one for the job? Check out our straight boom lift brand comparison and straight boom lift spec guide to find a man lift that best fits your project.