Articulated lifts, otherwise known as knuckle booms, are great for tight spaces. They offer a 360 degree continuous rotation turntable that can give you full circle rotation for quick and flexible positioning. Most are available for indoor and outdoor applications, and some even offer a switch on their control panels that allow you the choice of gasoline or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) operation.

Use articulating boom lifts for reaching up and over machinery, equipment, and other obstacles. You can also use them for reaching other elevated positions not easily approached by a telescopic boom lift that can only take you up and down. The lift's boom can be raised or lowered from vertical to below horizontal, or it can be extended or telescoped while the stable work platform is kept horizontal.

To take advantage of articulating boom lifts basics:

1. Look to those who sell articulated boom lifts for basic informational resources.

2. Differentiate types and uses of articulated lifts to help you with your purchasing decision.

3. Find even more articulating boom lifts resources, such as safety information and more.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use distributors of articulating boom lifts for basic info

Sellers of articulating lifts can also be providers of valuable information. Use their sites to pull the basic facts that you need to learn about the articulating boom lift.

I recommend: High Access Solutions gives basic information on the articulated boom lift. Use the Basic Component Group gives basics information on major boom elements.

Learn about different types and applications for articulated lifts

Find out about different types of articulating boom lifts and their uses. Whether you are looking for articulating, telescopic or electric articulated boom lifts, knowing the difference in types and capabilities will help you make a purchasing decision.

I recommend: Find out about typical applications of articulated boom lifts from Wiese. Goldcoast Hi-Lift gives a comprehensive look at different types of articulating boom lifts and their different applications.

Find even more articulated boom lifts resources

Use the even greater number of additional resources on articulating lifts to determine your book lift needs or to find out additional information, such as safety, on your future purchase.

I recommend: Take advantage of the resources from Rolls on determining your boom needs. Docstoc is a free site for locating and downloading articles. There you can find safety info on articulated lifts.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider a distributors of articulating boom lifts to do the dirty work for you. Let them locate, evaluate and/or inspect, negotiate the prices, lease and ship any machine you might need. You may pay an additional fee, but it could well worth it based on the time and effort saved as well as the added evaluation that you don't have to perform yourself.

Articulated boom lifts offer easy access to large equipment. While standard man lifts can only extend straight up, articulating lifts extend horizontally as well, providing a greater range of maintenance use. Articulated lifts are useful for a variety of need, including aircraft maintenance, construction, and painting projects. Find manufacturers of articulated boom lifts online to supply machinery of the size and strength you need.

Distributors of articulating boom lifts offer easy online access to their products. Find the options you need, including:

1. Compare prices and specifications of brand new articulated lifts.
2. If you only need a lift for a temporary job, find a supplier that will rent you a machine.
3. For a better deal, look for a distributor of used and refurbished articulating lifts.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find an online supplier of new articulating boom lifts

If you're looking for a machine that's newly manufactured and will serve you for years to come, find distributors of articulating boom lifts selling new machinery. Compare products and prices on the web to find the best deal.

I recommend: Gold Coast HiLift offers different series of articulating lifts depending on your needs. Browse their website for high capacity or lower duty machinery. Bil-Jax sells towable articulating boom lifts that rest on footpads, making jobs on rough terrain sites or sensitive flooring applications a breeze.

Rent an articulated boom lift

If you find yourself in the middle of a project that requires the use of an articulating lift, but don't need a lift in the long run, rent instead of buying. Find an articulated boom lifts distributor near you that rents lift equipment.

I recommend: ALL Erection & Crane Rental offers articulating booms of various sizes, capacities and power sources. Advance Rental and Supply rents boom lifts and towable articulating lifts. See their website for specifications and pictures of all the machinery they rent.

Buy used articulating boom lifts

Used machinery can get the job done just as well as new machinery. If you need an articulated boom lift but don't want to spend the cash to buy a machine directly off the production line, find a provider of used articulated lifts. Many vendors of used machines offer a wide variety of lifts, making it easy for you to find a lift that meets your mechanical needs and also fits your budget.

I recommend: National Lift Equipment has hundreds of used articulating boom lifts in stock. Browse their entire inventory, or narrow down the selection based on manufacturer, model, year, or price range. Find used boom lifts from Randall Industries. Select equipment based on the range of extension, then browse from the multiple models offered.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Whether you buy a new or used articulating boom lift, be sure to find a good warranty. Be assured of having a continually working product and get deals on any maintenance or repair costs that may arise.

Articulated boom lifts are large pieces of equipment used to lift workers, materials, or both for work on buildings, power lines or anything else that must be built or repaired off the ground. Articulated lifts are extremely useful in the utilities, construction and waste management industries.

A boom lift operator will need to go through extensive training that teaches the proper operation skills, as well as how to operate the boom safely on the job. In some cases light maintenance procedures are also taught. You can find articulating boom lifts education and training from:

1. In-house training sessions hosted by manufacturers of articulating lifts.

2. Programs that offer certification to use aerial lift equipment.

3. Seminars that cover latest technology in the field.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Sign up for training courses provided by distributors of articulating boom lifts

Most distributors and manufacturers of boom lifts offer training courses that teach how to operate their equipment, along with any safety techniques that apply to the machinery. These classes all offer safety and operations training, but may not always provide the certifications required by state or federal law.

I recommend: JLG provides in-house training materials for those who want to conduct their own training sessions, in addition to off-site training facilities. H & E Equipment Services provides flexible options for safety training that encompass many types of cranes and aerial lift products.

Acquire the certification necessary to use an articulated boom lift

While some shorter courses provided by manufacturers concentrate on the use of specific equipment models, broader training programs can provide your employees with the certification they need to legally use articulated boom lift equipment.

I recommend: United Rentals offers operator training programs and specialized programs for certain difficult jobs. All programs adhere to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards and certifications. IVES Training Group offers a one-day course that covers all aspects of using boom lift equipment, with testing and certification upon completion.

Take online courses to learn how to operate articulating lifts

Most training courses for articulating lifts are at least partly taught in the field, but you can find courses that are entirely online as well. Many of these online classes are inexpensive and quick. They are ideal for those who already use articulating lifts and are working towards earning recertification.

I recommend: Training Classes offers a seminar in aerial lift safety that teaches OSHA safety standards. Tear Services provides both a beginning course in operator training, as well as a two-year recertification course.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Classes that teach operators how to use an articulating boom lift are often fast paced. It is a good idea to acquire study materials to prepare yourself or your employees for the certification tests.

Articulated boom lifts can be a boon on the job site. They can help contractors reach high places or transport materials as well as help electrical workers and utility workers to gain the places they need. An articulating lift can also cut down on wear and tear on the workers themselves, saving them from back strain because it can be used to shift heavy loads for the workers.

However, articulating lifts can be dangerous. The operators need to take proper precautions when using them. It is important to operate these lifts safely. Below you will find information for articulating boom lifts safety.

1. Participate in articulating boom lift safety courses.

2. Learn about OSHA regulations regarding powered industrial trucks.

3. Conduct pre-shift inspections of the articulating boom lift.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Take articulating boom lift safety courses

Enroll in safety courses for operating articulated book lifts safely. These courses are offered by companies around the country or through companies that offer materials that can be sent to your company so that you may conduct in-house training. Take the training every three years to make sure that the operators are up with the latest updates in safety regulations. Allowing this training to lapse is not an option for operator safety.

I recommend: JLG Industries offers materials for in-house training for articulating boom lift safety courses. Equipment Solutions offers boom lift operator training on site. This company can travel to your company and conduct the training there, which can be convenient for scheduling.

Become familiar with the OSHA regulations regarding articulated boom lifts

The OSHA regulations regarding articulated boom lifts, classified as powered industrial trucks (OSHA Standard 1910.178(l)(4). These regulations spell out the safety the operators must observe these regulations when operating a articulating book lifts. It is important to be familiar with these regulations for two reasons: failure to follow OSHA regulations can result in fines for the company, and the regulations are designed to help provide guidelines to keep the articulated boom lift operators safe.

I recommend: OSHA and Powerline Safety have the regulations on their websites. This information can be helpful for your company and the articulated boom lift operator safety.

Conduct pre-shift inspections of the articulating boom lift

Before operating articulated lifts, make sure you conduct a pre-shift inspection. Look for any defects, inspect the entire machine and site before operating it. This is especially important when operating or buying used articulating boom lifts to make sure the articulated boom lift is in good condition. Inspect the maintenance records as well.

I recommend: International Paper lists steps to take to perform a pre-shift inspection of the articulating boom shift. Forklift Operation also has some good information on this subject.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask the distributors of articulating boom lifts for paper and documentation when buying a used articulating boom lift. This can be important to make sure that the lift had its proper maintenance.