Boom Lift Height & Capacity: Complete Sizing Guide
Unsure of what boom lift you need? Our sizing guide helps you choose the best option based on height, reach, and weight.
Boom lifts are essential tools on a wide variety of job sites—from commercial construction to industrial maintenance. However, selecting the right boom lift size can significantly impact your project’s efficiency, safety, and cost. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the different boom lift sizes, how to choose the correct height and capacity, and what factors to consider before making your decision.
Why Boom Lift Size Matters
Choosing the correct boom lift size is more than just reaching a specific height. The right lift ensures worker safety, operational efficiency, and better access in difficult environments. An undersized lift could force workers into unsafe positions, while an oversized lift may be unnecessarily expensive or difficult to maneuver.
Understanding Boom Lift Height Classifications
Boom lifts are generally classified by their platform height—the vertical distance from the ground to the platform floor—and working height, which typically adds 6 feet (or ~2 meters) to account for the operator’s reach.
Here’s a breakdown of common boom lift sizes:
Small Boom Lifts (30-45 ft): Ideal for indoor work or outdoor maintenance in tight areas like parking structures, warehouses, or retail buildings.
Medium Boom Lifts (46-65 ft): Versatile for commercial construction, painting, and steel work on mid-rise structures.
Large Boom Lifts (66-135 ft): Used for major infrastructure projects, bridge maintenance, or high-rise developments.
Ultra Boom Lifts (136 ft and above): These lifts are designed for specialized jobs requiring extreme vertical reach, such as industrial plants or stadium maintenance.
Boom Lift Types and Their Size Ranges
Telescopic Boom Lifts
Provide greater horizontal reach.
Common sizes: 40 ft to 185 ft.
Best for: open environments where straight reach is critical (e.g., stadiums, large construction sites).
Articulating Boom Lifts
Feature multiple sections for “up-and-over” access.
Common sizes: 30 ft to 150 ft.
Best for: navigating obstacles, tight areas, or indoor/outdoor hybrid projects.
How to Choose the Right Boom Lift Height
To choose the right size, consider:
Working Height Requirements: Measure the maximum height you need workers to reach.
Site Conditions: Will the lift be used indoors or outdoors? Are there obstructions to navigate around?
Horizontal Reach Needs: Does your project require access across rooftops, machinery, or construction zones?
Weight Capacity: Consider how many workers and tools will be on the platform. Most boom lifts have capacities between 500-1,000 lbs.
Surface Conditions: Rough terrain boom lifts come in larger sizes and offer 4x4 support for uneven surfaces.
Best Applications by Lift Size
30-45 ft: HVAC maintenance, lighting installations, warehouse upkeep.
46-65 ft: Window washing, roofing, small-to-mid-size construction.
66-135 ft: High-rise painting, bridge inspections, tower access.
136+ ft: Industrial facilities, wind farms, or aviation maintenance.
When Height Isn’t Everything: Capacity and Reach
While height is often the priority, lift capacity and horizontal outreach can be just as crucial. For instance, a telescopic boom lift with 80 ft height may offer 72 ft of outreach, making it ideal for accessing hard-to-reach spots without repositioning the base.
Why Choose Man Lift for Your Boom Lift Needs
At Man Lift USA, we offer a complete selection of boom lifts—telescopic, articulating, and ultra boom options—in a range of sizes to suit every job. Whether you need a compact lift for indoor facility work or a 150 ft telescopic model for exterior industrial access, we’ve got you covered.
Need help finding the right size? Contact our team for expert guidance or explore our boom lift rentals today.
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Boom lift sizes vary widely, and selecting the right one can dramatically improve safety and productivity on your job site. Take into account height, reach, capacity, and terrain before choosing. Whether you're working on a warehouse roof or a power line 150 feet up, Man Lift has the right solution for your needs.