The Ultimate Straight Boom Lift Spec Guide
Straight boom lifts, commonly referred to as telescopic boom lifts, provide stability and access to high elevations. By providing both horizontal and vertical reach using a non-bendable arm, straight boom lifts give you access to multiple work angles at a greater distance.
Unfortunately, using a telescopic boom lift isn't always as easy as sending someone up into the sky with a few tools. There are many factors to consider when selecting the right straight boom lift for your construction project. In this guide, we'll provide an overview of the most important specs for straight boom lifts and the size charts for each brand's core models.
Notable Straight Boom Lift Specs
There are a few specs to consider when purchasing or renting a telescopic boom lift. These include platform height, work height, horizontal reach, machine width, machine length, and maximum platform capacity.
Boom lifts are used to lift people, tools, and materials up to a required height. Knowing this required height will be the most important factor in quickly picking the right boom lift to rent.
The maximum height a telescopic boom lift can be raised is known as platform height, represented by the distance between the platform's base and the ground. Fortunately, most models will have the platform height in the name of the model making it easy to know what model you need. For example, the Skyjack SJ45 has a platform height of 45' and the JLG 600S has a platform height of 60'. It's important to pay attention to platform height since it shows how much access you'll have to elevated work sites.
Working height is simply the sum of the platform height and an additional 6 feet. The assumption is that the worker on the lift is 6 feet tall and the additional height accounts for where their eyes and hands will be working from. As the height of the project is typically the driving factor in which lift model to rent, it's important to pick a model that reaches that height.
However, vertical reach isn't the only factor that matters with boom lifts. Sometimes horizontal reach will also play an important role. Horizontal reach refers to how far out the boom extends. You'll notice in the spec charts below that horizontal reach is always less than vertical reach. This is because the weight distribution changes the further out you extend horizontally, which limits the range of motion that boom lifts can reach on the horizontal plane. This means if you're working on a job that requires less vertical reach but more horizontal, you will probably still need to rent a machine with a larger vertical. The nature of your job will determine what type of reach is more important.
The general dimensions of a boom lift's base and cabin are shown with machine width and length, which provides insight into the boom lift's stability on different terrain and its ability to navigate small spaces. Not all job sites are built the same. Some have narrow pathways or alleys which may limit your options. Knowing the dimensions of the site to know what equipment will fit is another factor to consider.
The last spec to consider when selecting a straight boom lift is the maximum platform capacity. Platform capacity refers to how much weight the platform can safely transport to the maximum height which includes people and materials. The boom lift you choose must be able to support the people and materials required. The platform capacities below include both "unrestricted" and "restricted" platform capacities.
Restricted platform capacity is the higher number and signifies that there is a restricted range of motion where the lift can operate with that weight. Unrestricted platform capacity is the lower number and the maximum weight capacity where the machine can operate in its full range of motion. Typically, any restricted areas are within a machine's horizontal reach.
Straight Boom Brands and Models
Now that we've established the best specs to focus on for telescopic booms, we can look at distinguishing factors and spec values for Genie, JLG, Skyjack, Snorkel, MEC, and Haulotte.
Feel free to skip ahead to each brand's spec guide:
Skyjack
Skipjack's straight boom lifts are a great option for smaller projects since the platform heights on their lifts only range from 40' to 86'. All six models have considerable horizontal reach for their size, which ranges from 34' to 76'.
Skyjack offers many accessories for their boom lifts, including glazier kits that transport glass panes and tool caddies. Each model also uses Skipjack's patented control system that uses coded wiring to facilitate easy troubleshooting and servicing.
Skyjack Telescopic Boom Lift Specs
Skyjack Telescopic Boom Lift Sizes and Specs | ||||||
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Model | Platform Height | Work Height | Horizontal Reach | Machine Width | Machine Length | Max Platform Capacity (lbs) |
Skyjack SJ40 T+ | 40' 7" | 46' 7" | 33' 11" | 7' 6" | 25' 4" | 750 / 1,000 |
Skyjack SJ45 T+ | 45' 2" | 51' 2" | 39' 8" | 7' 6" | 28' 11.5" | 660 / 1,000 |
Skyjack SJ61 T+ | 61' 8" | 67' 8" | 51' 3" | 8' | 30' 4" | 660 / 1,000 |
Skyjack SJ66 T+ | 66' 3" | 72' 3" | 57' | 8' | 34' 2" | 660 / 1,000 |
Skyjack SJ82 T | 82' | 88' | 72' 6" | 8' 2" | 37' 10" | 500 / 750 |
Skyjack SJ86 T | 86' | 92' | 76' 10" | 8' 2" | 42' 6" | 500 / 750 |
Genie
Genie is such a popular boom lift brand that the name "Genie Lift" was coined as a synonymous term. They offer 19 straight boom lift models that are well-suited for a variety of jobs. With platform capacities ranging from 600-1000 lbs, their models are well-equipped for lifting heavy materials and industrial construction.
The S-40 HF and S-45 HF are part of Genie's high float models, which can lift 600 lbs of weight on softer terrains like sand and turf. The S-60 J, S-65 J, and S-80 J are offered with tracks, denoted by the "TraX" label. The S-80 J TraX model is one of the only models with an 80-foot working height that comes with a tracked option.
Genie telescopic boom lifts are great options for multiple jobs, especially heavy-duty work. They're also the only company with a fully electric straight boom lift with the Genie S-60 DC making it great for indoor applications like malls, sports arenas, and more.
Genie Telescopic Boom Lift Specs
Genie Telescopic Boom Lift Sizes and Specs | ||||||
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Model | Platform Height | Work Height | Horizontal Reach | Machine Width | Machine Length | Max Platform Capacity (lbs) |
Genie S-40 HF | 39' 6" | 45' 6" | 28' 11" | 8' 5" | 26' 4" | 600 |
Genie S-40 XC | 39' 6" | 45' 6" | 31' 1" | 8' 2" | 26' 4" | 660 / 1,000 |
Genie S-45 HF | 44' 6" | 50' 6" | 34' | 8' 5" | 31' 1" | 600 |
Genie S-45 XC | 44' 6" | 50' 6" | 36' 2" | 8' 2" | 31' 1" | 660 / 1,000 |
Genie S-60 XC | 60' | 66' | 48' 7" | 8' 2" | 28' 7" | 660 / 1,000 |
Genie S-60 HF | 60' 2" | 66' 2" | 46' 7" | 8' 5" | 28' 7" | 600 |
Genie S-60 J | 60' 10" | 66' 10" | 40' 6" | 8' 2" | 31' 10" | 660 |
Genie S-60 DC / Genie S-60 FE | 61' 2" | 67' 2" | 40' 6" | 8' 2" | 31' 8" | 660 |
Genie S-65 XC / Genie S-65 TraX | 65' | 71' | 54' 2" | 8' 2" | 32' | 660 / 1,000 |
Genie S-65 HF | 65' 2" | 71' 2" | 51' 2" | 8' 5" | 32' | 600 |
Genie S-80 HF | 80' | 86' | 68' 6" | 8' 6" | 37' 7" | 600 / 1,000 |
Genie S-80 XC | 80' | 86' | 68' 6" | 8' 2" | 37' 7" | 660 / 1,000 |
Genie S-80 J / Genie S-80 TraX | 80' 5" | 86' 5" | 54' 9" | 8' 2" | 34' 3" | 660 |
Genie S-85 HF | 85' | 91' | 72' 6" | 8' 6" | 40' 7" | 600 / 1,000 |
Genie S-85 XC | 85' | 91' | 74' 6" | 8' 2" | 40' 7" | 660 / 1,000 |
Genie S-125 XC | 125' | 131' | 80' | 8' 2" - 12' 11" | 46' 9" | 660 / 1,000 |
Genie SX-135 XC | 135' | 141' | 90' | 8' 2" - 12' 11" | 64' 10" | 660 / 1,000 |
Genie SX-150 | 152' | 158' | 80' | 8' 2" - 16' 6" | 53' 1" | 750 |
Genie SX-180 | 180' | 186' | 80' | 8' 2" - 16' 6" | 53' 1" | 750 |
JLG
JLG is another well-known boom lift brand that offers 20 straight boom lifts with a variety of interesting features.
JLG's 400 and 600 Crawler Series includes three crawler straight boom lifts. Instead of a wheeled base, crawlers have excavator-like tracks that move well on dirt, sand, and snow. These models have low ground-bearing pressure, so their tracks can run on smoother terrain such as concrete and sidewalks.
An offer unique to JLG's straight boom lifts is their Self-Levelling Series. The first and only model in the series, the 670 SJ automatically levels on any slope that's 10 degrees or lower as the boom lift moves. With the 670 SJ, your work area may not even need leveling before operation.
JLG's models are well-suited to many different projects. Their Ultra Series models have platform capacities of up to 1000 lbs, which is ideal for steel mill, shipyard, and heavy construction work. They also have one of the highest-reaching models with the JLG 1850SJP, just slightly larger than Genie's biggest model.
JLG Telescopic Boom Lift Specs and Sizes
JLG Telescopic Boom Lift Sizes and Specs | ||||||
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Model | Platform Height | Work Height | Horizontal Reach | Machine Width | Machine Length | Max Platform Capacity (lbs) |
JLG 400SC | 39' 7" | 45' 7" | 33' | 7' 4" | 24' 10" | 600 / 1,000 |
JLG 400S | 40' | 46' | 33' 6" | 7' 7" | 24' 10" | 600 / 1,000 |
JLG 400S HC3 | 40' | 46' | 33' 6" | 7' 7" | 24' 10" | 600 / 750 / 1,000 |
JLG 460SC | 45' 6" | 51' 6" | 39' | 7' 7" | 29' 3" | 600 |
JLG 460SJ | 46' | 52' | 39' | 7' 7" | 29' 3" | 600 |
JLG 460SJ HC3 | 46' | 52' | 39' | 7' 7" | 29' 3" | 660 / 750 / 1,000 |
JLG 600S | 59' 8" | 65' 8" | 50' 2" | 8' 2" | 28' 7" | 600 / 1,000 |
JLG 600S HC3 | 59' 8" | 65' 8" | 50' 2" | 8' 2" | 28' 7" | 660 / 750 / 1,000 |
JLG 660SJC | 65' 7" | 71' 7" | 57' 1" | 8' 2" | 35' 5" | 550 / 750 |
JLG 660SJ | 65' 8" | 71' 8" | 57' 1" | 8' 2" | 35' 5" | 550 / 750 |
JLG 660SJC HC3 | 65' 8" | 71' 8" | 57' 1" | 8' 2" | 35' 5" | 660 / 750 / 1,000 |
JLG 670SJ | 66' 10" | 72' 10" | 57' 1" | 8' 2" | 35' 1" | 550 / 750 |
JLG 800S | 80' | 86' | 71' | 8' 2" | 37' 3" | 500 / 1,000 |
JLG 800S HC3 | 80' | 86' | 71' | 8' 2" | 37' 3" | 500 / 750 / 1,000 |
JLG 860SJ | 86' | 92' | 75' | 8' 2" | 40' | 500 / 750 |
JLG 1200SJP | 120' | 126' | 75' | 8' 2" | 44' 10" | 500 / 1,000 |
JLG 1350SJP | 135' | 141' | 80' | 8' 2" | 48' 10" | 500 / 1,000 |
JLG 1500SJP | 150' | 156' | 80' | 8' 2" | 61' 9" | 500 / 1,000 |
JLG 1850SJP | 185' 7" | 191' 7" | 80' | 8' 2" | 63' 10" | 500 / 1,000 |
MEC
MEC offers six telescoping boom models, which are tough, dependable, and include multiple operational features. However, these models are limited in platform height as their largest model reaches a peak height of only 65'.
Despite their size, MEC straight boom lifts have some of the largest platform capacities amongst other brands. MEC's two Titan models, the 60-S and 40-S, can lift 3000 and 4000 lbs of weight, respectively, giving the best platform capacity of all telescopic boom lifts currently. Their other four boom lifts come with a jib, which is helpful on projects where you need additional reach.
MEC Telescopic Boom Lift Specs
MEC Telescopic Boom Lift Sizes and Specs | ||||||
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Model | Platform Height | Work Height | Horizontal Reach | Machine Width | Machine Length | Max Platform Capacity (lbs) |
MEC 34-J | 34' | 40' | 26' | 7' 8" | 20' | 500 |
MEC Titan 40-S | 40' | 46' | NA | 8' | 22' | 4,000 |
MEC 45-J | 45' | 51' | 38' | 8' | 28' | 600 |
MEC 60-J | 60' | 66' | 42' 8" | 8' | 30' 6" | 600 |
MEC Titan 60-S | 60' | 66' | NA | 7' 7" | 23' | 3,0 |
MEC 65-J | 65' | 71' | 47' | 7' 6" | 30' | 600 |
Snorkel
Snorkel specializes in all things lifts. They offer 11 straight boom lift models in the mid-sized range. Snorkel's newest models, the 600S All Terrain and 660S All Terrain, are tracked straight boom lifts that are perfect for soft surfaces and climbing gradients up to 45%.
The majority of Snorkel's telescopic boom lifts are suitable for mid-sized projects with their 40', 46', 66', and 86' models. However, their larger lifts reach some of the highest elevations among their competitors. The 2100 SJ is currently the tallest straight boom lift on the market, with a platform height of 210'
Snorkel Telescopic Boom Lift Specs
Snorkel Telescopic Boom Lift Sizes and Specs | ||||||
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Model | Platform Height | Work Height | Horizontal Reach | Machine Width | Machine Length | Max Platform Capacity (lbs) |
Snorkel 400S | 40' | 46' | 35' | 7' 7" | 24' 10" | 600 / 1,000 |
Snorkel 460SJ | 46' | 52' | 42' | 7' 7" | 29' 3" | 600 / 1,000 |
Snorkel 600S | 60' | 66' | 52' 6" | 8' 1" | 30' 2" | 600 / 1,000 |
Snorkel 660SJ | 66' | 72' | 58' | 8' 1" | 33' 1" | 600 / 1,000 |
Snorkel TB80 | 80' 7" | 86' 7" | 71' 2" | 8' 6" | 38' 9" | 500 |
Snorkel TB86J | 86' 6" | 92' 6" | 78' 5" | 8' 6" | 42' 4" | 500 |
Snorkel TB120 | 120' 7" | 126' 7" | 62' | 8' 6" | 42' 4" | 500 |
Snorkel TB126 SJ | 126' 6" | 132' 6" | 63' | 8' 6" | 44' 8" | 500 |
Snorkel 2100SJ | 210' 6" | 216' 6" | 114' 10" | 8' 2" | 75' 6" | 770 / 1,000 |
Haulotte Straight Boom Lift Specs
You can use a Haulotte straight boom lift for many applications, including railway and shipyard construction, tree scaping, window washing, and more. However, their models span fewer sizes with only 46', 67', 85', and 132' platform options. Despite their seven models being slightly smaller than other brands, they have surprising lift capacity for their size. Four of seven models have platform capacities above 770 lbs.
Haulotte's models are also equipped with some cool features, including their lighting system, enhanced fuel efficiency, and safety shield bars.
Haulotte Telescopic Boom Lift Specs
Haulotte Telescopic Boom Lift Sizes and Specs | ||||||
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Model | Platform Height | Work Height | Horizontal Reach | Machine Width | Machine Length | Max Platform Capacity (lbs) |
Haulotte HT64 RTJ | 46' 3" | 52' 3" | 42' 8" | 7' 6" | 30' 1" | 500 / 770 |
Haulotte HT67 RTJ | 67' | 73' | 60' 5" | 8' 1" | 34' 3" | 500 / 1,000 |
Haulotte HT85 RTJ | 85' | 91' | 78' 3" | 8' 2" | 42' 1" | 500 / 770 |
Haulotte HT132 RTJ | 132' | 138' | 66' 3" | 8' 2" | 48' 7" | 500 / 990 |
Rent a Straight Boom Lift
Whether it's scaffolding, heavy construction, or fruit picking, each straight boom lift manufacturer has a model that'll meet your needs. If you're looking to reach new heights, consider renting a straight boom lift from DOZR's equipment rental marketplace!