When it comes to working at greater heights, boom lifts offer a versatile solution and are widely used. These machines are a go-to choice for contractors involved in construction, building maintenance, facility management, painting, and more. Boom lifts provide a safe and efficient aerial solution for accessing areas that are difficult to reach, offering greater flexibility than traditional scaffolding or even scissor lifts in certain scenarios.
However, selecting the right boom lift to rent or buy for your project may not be as easy as it seems. Many users unknowingly choose boom lifts that are unsuitable for the specific work environment, resulting in unnecessary costs and delays. To help you make the best decision, here are some key considerations for choosing the right boom lift for your work.
Looking to rent or buy boom lifts in Malaysia? Contact Uptop Access today!
Key Considerations for the Suitable Boom Lift
1. Understand Your Working Height and Horizontal Reach Requirements
Similarly to scissor lifts, the first step is determining your working height, which refers to the highest touchpoint your workers need to reach to complete their tasks. It’s important to differentiate this from the platform height, which is the maximum height the boom lift’s platform can be elevated.
So what’s the difference? As workers will be standing on the boom lift platform to complete their work, the effective reach height is beyond the rated platform height of the boom lift. As a rule of thumb, the working height of a boom lift is its platform height + 2 meters (or around 6 feet).
Additionally, boom lifts are often used for horizontal outreach purposes as well. If your work requires, checking on the rated maximum horizontal outreach a boom lift can support is crucial too.
Most boom lift brands will provide the working height, platform height and maximum horizontal outreach information in their catalogues for easy reference. A full range of motion chart will often be provided too. Below is a snippet from the Mantall HZ Series Boom Lifts catalogue:
For example, if your worker is required to reach 16.5m for maintenance work outdoors, the Mantall HZ160JE with a platform height of 14.8m is sufficient for your work.
2. Selecting the Optimal Power Source Based on Your Work Environment
Boom lifts are available in two main power sources:
- Electric: Ideal for indoor and outdoor use, they are much quieter and have zero emissions, It is also important to take note of the power supply at worksites, as electric boom lifts typically require overnight charging to ensure uninterrupted work during the day.
- Diesel: Best suited for outdoor worksites, especially those requiring greater heights. Diesel models tend to be equipped with rough terrain tyres and are suitable to operate on outdoor grounds. They are durable and capable of continuous operation with diesel top-ups, making them a reliable option for highly demanding tasks.
3. Decide Between Articulating Or Telescopic Boom Lifts
Boom lifts come in 2 main boom arm types:
- Articulating: Jointed boom arm that can bend and reach around obstacles. Ideal for jobs requiring access to complex and confined areas. Provides more flexibility compared to equivalent telescopic models.
- Telescopic: Straight boom arm that extends directly outward and upward. Provides longer horizontal outreach compared to equivalent articulating models.
Although there are higher capacity boom lift models available, boom lifts in general are rated to only carry a maximum of 2 workers at the same time.
4. Check The Boom Lift’s Weight And Dimensions
Given the types of worksites boom lifts are generally used, the weight of the boom lift is usually not an area of concern. However, it should still be pointed out that smaller boom lifts tend to already weigh around 3-4 tons, and larger models can go as high as over 20 tons. As standard practice, do check on the worksite’s ground bearing capacity before mobilizing a boom lift.
Additionally, confirm that the boom lift’s dimensions can fit into your worksite’s access points, such as entrances and loading areas during mobilization. Once on-site, verify that there is enough overhead clearance when the platform is raised.
Failure to account for these details may result in delays, additional costs or inability to complete the tasks.
In the Genie catalogue above, you can easily refer to the full specifications of the Z45/25J boom lift including crucial information on machine weight and dimensions.
5. Select the Best Boom Lift Supplier in Malaysia
Selecting the right supplier is as crucial as choosing the right boom lift. A reliable supplier ensures smooth operations, minimizes downtime, and offers expert guidance throughout your project. If you’re exploring boom lift rental or purchase in Malaysia, here’s what to evaluate and why Uptop Access stands out as the top choice:
Extensive Industry Experience
With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Uptop Access has become a trusted name in Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) in Malaysia. Our deep industry knowledge ensures we match you with the perfect machine tailored to your specific project requirements.
At Uptop Access, we go beyond simply providing machinery – we deliver solutions. Whether you’re working in confined areas with limited access, have strict worksite safety, large quantity orders or any other requirements, we have the expertise and resources to recommend the best solutions. Our team identifies potential obstacles and provides actionable recommendations to keep your work progressing smoothly.
Strong Market Standing
Our proven track record highlights our dedication to service excellence. Uptop Access is highly rated with a 4.8-star average on Google reviews, reflecting our commitment to service quality and customer satisfaction. On top of that, we’ve earned strong word-of-mouth recommendations from contractors and businesses who value our dependable service and good-condition machines.
Exceptional Service Quality
At Uptop Access, reliability and customer support are our priorities:
- Thorough Documentation: service reports, JKKP PMA renewals and minimum validity, all-risk insurance arrangements, and many more.
- Prompt Breakdown Service: Our team ensures prompt attendance to minimize downtime, keeping your project on schedule.
- Operator Training: We emphasize safety, offering hands-on training to help your team operate the equipment effectively.
- Spare Parts Availability: As an established supplier, we maintain a ready stock of spare parts to address any maintenance needs swiftly. We are also the sole authorized distributor of Mantall machines in Malaysia, ensuring genuine spare parts and top-notch services.
When you choose Uptop Access as your supplier, you’re not just renting or buying a machine – you’re partnering with a team dedicated to your project’s success. Let our experience, reputation, and dedication help you achieve optimal results with minimal hassle.
Contact Uptop Access today to discuss your boom lift requirements and let us help you take your project to new heights!