How to Decide Between an Articulated or Straight Boom Lift for Your Next Project

Boom lifts (also known as mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs) or cherry pickers) utilize boom sections to position workers and tools to an elevated position for temporary, flexible access work, such as maintenance and construction tasks. This type of equipment comes in different configurations that vary depending on how these machines reach overhead work areas. The two most common configurations of boom lifts are: articulated (articulating, knuckle) and straight (telescopic, telescoping).  

Both articulated and straight boom lifts can tackle tough jobs and come in a range of options:

• I

  ndoor and outdoor 

   

• E

  ngine

  -

   (diesel, gas, LP)

  , 

  e

  lectric

  -

   

  or h

  ybrid-powered

   

• T

  racks versus tires

   

• H

  igh-capacity versions

   

Each have their own unique attributes that make them better suited for different types of work. For example, a JLG telescopic boom lets you reach farther, with more capacity, which puts you right where you need to be as simply and efficiently as possible, while JLG articulating boom lifts are ideal for jobs that require you to get "up and over” objects. 

So, how do you know which type of boom lift is right for your jobsite? Here are some tips to help you make the choice between articulated and straight.

Articulating B

ooms

 

The most easily recognizable type of boom lift is articulated due to the boom’s distinctive shape. This type of lift uses multiple pivot points (referred to as joints or knuckles) on the boom sections to give you length and reach, allowing you up-and-over access, as well as vertical reach. The main advantage of this design is that it lets you achieve difficult positioning around obstacles at height.    

Articulating boom lifts have less horizontal outreach than telescopic booms, but because they can reach high and far, these machines provide greater versatility to:   

• Work i

  n space-restricted, 

  tight or 

  narrow access, and/or confined work areas

   

• R

  each up, over and

  /or

   out to access work areas

   

Telescoping

 B

ooms

 

The mast on a telescopic boom lift extends out in a straight line, by utilizing one or more telescoping boom sections, to give you enough vertical reach to directly access overhead jobsites. This design allows you to take full advantage of the boom’s entire range of horizontal reach.  

Because of their design, telescoping models do not offer the up-and-over ability to access work at height. And this type of boom lift requires more space to operate with than articulating booms, including plenty of room around the machine’s chassis to make turns and other movements.  

But straight boom lifts can typically reach higher than articulating boom lifts, which means these models provide both maximum height and maximum outreach to: 

• A

  ccess work from a distance

  , especially 

  where the terrain or obstacles prevent close access

   

• Get into working position quickly.

JLG

Tips for C

hoosing

It’s important to understand the specific work-at-height requirements on a particular project before you specify the machines to do the work. Here are three things to consider when choosing the right boom lift to match your application: 

1. A

gility

 versus V

ersatility

 

applications that require

agility

 to 

reach

over or around objects, such as 

chimneys, ceiling joists or roof trusses, 

HVAC or electrical fixtures, 

the floors of a building under construction, or warehouse shelves.

a. An articulating boom would be the preferred choice for

    b. A telescopic boom lift would be the best choice for applications that require the versatility to reach high, like multi-story buildings, or to reach far out at a lower level, like under bridges.

2. Jobsite C

onditions

    a. An articulating boom lift generally offers you a more compact footprint and narrow operating profile, especially zero tail swing models, which are ideal for space-restricted jobsites.

    b. A telescopic model is more productive on jobsites with plenty of room to turn and space to reach. 

3. Outr

each

    a. An articulated model can offer you multiple angles and reach to access overhead work. 

    b. A telescoping boom lift often can reach higher than an articulating boom lift (depending on specific model and design differences). 

The best way to distinguish between these two types is this: Telescopic models are better for getting people and materials into place and holding them there, and articulating versions are better suited for moving people and materials around obstacles and into different positions with agility. 

Once you know which type of boom lift is right for your application, visit a manufacturer's website to learn more about their articulated and telescopic boom lifts. 

At a Glance

: Articulated 

V

s. Straight Boom Lifts

 

• Telescopic lifts are best for getting people and materials into place and holding them there

  .

   

• A

  rticulating booms are best for moving people and materials around obstacles and into different positions

   

  with agility

  .

   

• Three considerations to help you choose one or the other: 

  Agility

   

  and maneuverability 

  versus

   

  reach

   and space

  , 

  jobsite

   conditions, and 

  the work to be completed

  .