What is a Boom Lift? The Ultimate Guide for Pros (2024)

If you’ve walked a construction site, visited a shopping mall under renovation, or driven past a wind farm, you’ve probably seen a tall, flexible machine lifting workers to high places. That’s a boom lift — a must-have aerial work platform (AWP) for safe, versatile access to heights. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about boom lifts, from their types and use cases to how to choose the perfect one for your project.

What Exactly Is a Boom Lift?

A boom lift (often called a “cherry picker” in casual terms) is an aerial platform that uses a hinged or telescoping arm (the “boom”) to lift workers, tools, and materials. Unlike scissor lifts (which only move straight up), boom lifts can reach over obstacles, around corners, or extend horizontally—making them perfect for jobs where “vertical-only” access won’t cut it.

Most models carry 1-2 workers and 200-500 pounds of equipment, with height ranges from 30 feet (9m) for compact indoor units to 180 feet (55m) for industrial-grade outdoor lifts.

The Two Main Types of Boom Lifts (With Use Cases)

But not all boom lifts work the same—if you’ve ever wondered why some can reach over buildings while others stay straight, it comes down to two main types: telescopic and articulating. Each is built for totally different jobs, and we’ve seen firsthand how picking the wrong one can slow down a project. Here’s the breakdown, plus real-world examples from jobs we’ve helped support.

1. Telescopic Boom Lifts (Straight Boom)

How it works: A single, extendable straight arm (no hinges) that slides outward like a telescope. It prioritizes height and horizontal reach over flexibility—think of it as the “long-reach specialist” of boom lifts.
Best For: Outdoor jobs needing height (wind farms, construction), warehouse high-reach tasks where you don’t need to navigate tight spots.

2. Articulating Boom Lifts (Knuckle Boom)

How it works: A jointed arm with 2-3 “knuckles” (hinges) that fold up, over, or around obstacles. It trades some maximum height for maneuverability—this is the lift you want when you need to “work around” something, not just over it.
Best For: Tight spaces (indoor maintenance), jobs with obstacles (power lines, building overhangs), or any time you need to “wrap around” something to get to the work area.

Key Industries & Applications for Boom Lifts

Boom lifts aren’t just for construction—we’ve seen them used in almost every industry where people need to get high up safely. The key is matching the lift type to the job, and here are some of the most common uses we’ve encountered:

For construction teams, telescopic lifts are a go-to—we recently helped a crew in California use a Genie S-85 to install windows on a 10-story apartment building, and they finished 3 days ahead of schedule. The lift’s height meant they didn’t need to build scaffolding, which saved them both time and money.

In renewable energy, wind farms rely on big telescopic lifts (100ft+ models) for blade repairs. We worked with a Texas wind company last year that switched from cranes to boom lifts, and their maintenance costs dropped by 40%—boom lifts are smaller, faster to set up, and don’t require as many crew members.

Facilities maintenance teams love articulating lifts for tight spots. A school district we partner with uses compact articulating lifts to fix gymnasium ceilings—they fit through double doors, and the hinges let workers reach over bleachers without moving them. No more canceling basketball practices for repairs!

Even retail stores use boom lifts—during holiday seasons, malls use small articulating lifts to hang decorations from high ceilings. One mall in Florida told us the lifts let them set up their Christmas displays in half the time it used to take with ladders, and they haven’t had a single fall incident since switching.

How to Choose the Right Boom Lift (5 Key Factors)

Picking the wrong boom lift can slow down your project or create safety risks—we’ve seen it happen. Over the years, we’ve helped hundreds of clients narrow down their choice, and these 5 factors are always the most important:

Height & Reach: Match the lift’s max height to your job (e.g., 40ft for 3-story buildings, 120ft for wind turbines). But don’t forget horizontal reach—we once had a client buy a 60ft lift thinking it would work for their 50ft-tall warehouse, only to realize they needed 20ft of horizontal reach to get past shelves. They had to rent a second lift, which cost them extra. Always check both numbers!
Power Source:
- a. Diesel: For outdoor, heavy-duty jobs (construction, wind farms) – durable but noisy. Good if you’re working in remote areas without electricity.
- Electric: For indoor/quiet areas (malls, offices) – zero emissions, low maintenance. Just make sure you have a way to charge it—we recommend keeping a backup battery on-site for long jobs.
- Hybrid: Switches between diesel and electric (great for jobs that move indoor/outdoor, like warehouse expansion). We’ve seen hybrid lifts save clients 25% on fuel costs compared to diesel-only models.
Terrain:
- Rough-terrain: Large, treaded tires for dirt, gravel, or grass (use for construction sites). One client tried using a smooth-terrain lift on a muddy job site, and it got stuck—we had to send a rough-terrain lift to rescue it. Don’t skip this step!
- Smooth-terrain: Non-marking tires for concrete floors (use for malls, factories). These are a must for indoor jobs—you don’t want to scratch a retail store’s expensive tile.
Safety Features: Look for fall arrest hooks (to secure harnesses), emergency stop buttons, and load sensors (prevents overloading). All lifts should meet ANSI (U.S.) or CE (EU) standards—we never recommend using a lift that doesn’t have these certifications. We’ve had clients tell us safety features like load sensors have prevented accidents, so they’re worth investing in.
Weight Capacity: Ensure the lift can hold workers + tools (e.g., 500lbs for 2 workers + a drill and materials). It’s better to go slightly over than under—we once had a client try to save money with a 300lb lift, only to realize they couldn’t carry their heavy equipment. They ended up upgrading, which cost more in the long run.

Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Boom Lift Running

A well-maintained boom lift lasts 10+ years—and avoids costly downtime. We’ve worked with clients who got 15 years out of their lifts just by following these simple steps, and we’ve also seen lifts break down in 2 years because of neglect. Here’s what you need to do:

Weekly: Check hydraulic fluid levels (use ISO 46 oil for most models like JLG/Genie). If the fluid is cloudy, replace it right away—this means water got in, and it can ruin the hydraulic pump. We’ve seen pumps cost $2,000 to replace, so this small check saves big.

Monthly: Inspect boom hinges and hoses for cracks or leaks. Tighten any loose bolts on the platform—we once found a loose bolt on a client’s lift that would’ve caused the platform to wobble. A 5-minute check prevented a potential accident.
Before Each Use: Test the emergency controls (like lowering the boom manually if power fails) and check the battery (for electric models). One client forgot to test the emergency stop once, and when the lift’s power went out, they had to wait 2 hours for a technician to arrive. Don’t skip this—safety first!

Top Global Boom Lift Brands in 2024

When maintaining or repairing boom lifts, using brand-matched parts is critical to avoid performance issues. Based on 2024 industry rankings and market share, these are the brands you’ll most often encounter (and for which we stock compatible parts):

JLG: A U.S.-based leader in aerial platforms, known for durable telescopic lifts like the 1100SJP. Their parts demand high precision, especially hydraulic components.

Genie: A Terex brand favored for versatile models (e.g., Z-45 articulating lift) used in construction and events. Their safety switches and hinge pins are high-wear parts.

Haulotte: A French manufacturer specializing in compact articulating lifts (e.g., HA16PX) for indoor use. Their non-marking tires and hydraulic cylinders are top-selling replacement parts.

DingLi: A Chinese brand dominating the mid-range market, with rough-terrain models popular in infrastructure projects. Their stabilizer pads and control cables are frequently restocked.

SINOBOOM: Known for hybrid-powered lifts, ideal for indoor-outdoor jobs. Their battery packs and charger modules are in high demand for maintenance teams.

XCMG: A global heavy machinery brand with rugged telescopic lifts for mining and wind farms. Their large-diameter hydraulic hoses are built for extreme conditions.

Need Replacement Parts?

We stock OEM-compatible parts for all top boom lift brands. All parts come with a 12-month warranty, and we offer fast shipping to the U.S., EU, and Southeast Asia. Shop Boom Lift Parts Here or contact our team—we can even help you match parts to your model if you’re not sure what you need.