The 411 on Boom Truck Lifts

Boom truck lifts are used to lift workers or materials at work sites. These lifts have articulating arms or telescopic extensions that are attached to various sized trucks. Although they are widely used in construction or for utilities, such as hydro line work, the boom truck lift market has expanded to include large warehouse operations, tree maintenance, installation of advertising signs alongside freeways, and more.

Telescopic booms have straight arms that extend, making them either long or tall, while articulating booms are raised by extending a multi-piece arm. Both kinds of booms require stabilization built into the booms and the trucks. They may include features like buckets, work lights, tool trays, power systems, hooks, and remote controls. Boom truck lifts vary depending on their features, reach, lifting capacity, and the trucks that they are mounted on.

Markets for Boom Truck Lifts

With the downturn in the North American economy, boom truck lift companies are looking to sell their products in non-traditional markets. Some companies have made inroads in Eastern Europe, while others are expanding into Brazil and Australia. The biggest gains can be made by approaching North American markets that are holding steady or doing well, like commercial construction, oil fields, and electrical companies. For example, in the oil fields boom truck lifts are used to set up and maintain oil wells. Other markets that use boom truck lifts include:

-Utilities
-Small power distributers
-Steel
-Plastics
-General construction
-Mining
-Waste management
-Automotive
-Arborists
-Pulp & paper industries
-Small and mid-sized industrial companies

Training for Boom Truck Lifts

Although it is easy to think that any construction worker or utilities personnel can work a boom truck lift, for safety's sake it is important to ensure all workers who deal with boom truck lifts are full trained. In Canada, this training includes both in class training and practical work in order to achieve proper certification. Certification will ensure workers competency in the following:

-the applicable legal requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations and the Canadian Standards Associations Codes
-inspecting any elevated work platforms before beginning work
-safety measure for lifting, lowering, and moving the boom trucks and their lifts
-knowledge and use of personal protective gear, including fall arrest systems
-safe working practices and operations while on elevated work platforms
-safe operating practices for the boom truck lifts
-lifting capacities
-how to use emergency controls

Besides following the law, it is important to include plans to train your workers properly on the boom truck lifts that you purchase in order to ensure that your workers and equipment come to no harm, which would cost your company in time, money, and reputation.

Purchasing a Boom Truck Lift

Once you know what specifications your company requires in a boom truck, you can purchase a new or used truck through online or print advertisements, at an auction, or through a dealer. Knowing your budget and requirements before entering into a purchase agreement will ensure that you are satisfied for a long time to come.