Boom Lift Sizes Guide: Heights, Reach & Best Uses

Selecting the proper boom lift size is more than just picking the tallest machine; it is about striking the right balance of height, reach, and overall fit for the specific needs of your project.

Knowing these elements will ensure the equipment produces safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, whether it is used on those high-rise constructions, tight indoor maintenance jobs, or general outdoor work on uneven terrain.

Being aware of the vital boom lift specifications, such as platform height, working height, horizontal reach, and maximum weight capacity, facilitates the selection of the perfect boom lift that you need. You can explore our full range of boom lifts for sale to compare models and find the right fit for your projects.

Boom lifts are usually rated by their platform height, but it is the working height that is of greatest concern when it comes to your operators. Here is a glance at some of the most common sizes and their typical applications.

A 30 ft boom lift is commonly referred to as a small boom lift, compact boom lift, or mini boom lift. It is widely used by many for its versatility, particularly for indoor applications and working on two-story buildings.

• Weight capacity: usually around 500 lbs

• Working height: approximately 36–40 ft

• Suitable for: indoor facility maintenance works, signage works, and event installations

• Popular 30-ft models: Genie Z-30/20N, JLG 30AJ, Skyjack SJ30 ARJE, Genie S-30, and JLG 30RTS.

You can find most of these models under Zuma’s small boom lift for sale.

The 45 ft boom lift bridges the differences between compact indoor units and larger construction equipment, delivering working heights around 51 feet and covering most two- to three-story buildings.

• Weight capacity: 500-600 lbs

• Working height: approximately 51 ft

• Suitable for:maintenance of multi-level facilities, low-rise building constructions, and trimming of trees

• Popular 45-ft models:Genie Z-45/25, JLG 450AJ, Skyjack SJ45 AJ, Genie S-45 XC, JLG 460SJ, and Snorkel 460SJ.

A 60 ft boom lift offers a working height of up to 66 ft. This is perfectly ideal when you are dealing with multi-story buildings, bridge or stadium light installations, industrial repairs, and other large-scale constructions.

• Weight capacity: 500–750 lbs

• Working height: up to 66 ft.

• Suitable for: commercial building maintenance, trimming tall trees above 50 ft., and industrial facilities.

• Popular 60-ft models: JLG 600AJ, Genie Z-60/37FE, Skyjack SJ60 AJ, Genie S-60 J, JLG 600S, and Snorkel 600S.

Explore Zuma Sales' selection of 50-66 ft boom lifts to find the perfect fit for your projects.

An 80 ft boom lift provides substantial reach for large-scale construction, industrial plant maintenance, and utility work. Advanced features like automatic envelope control and platform rotation are standardized at this size, ensuring operator productivity and safety.

• Weight capacity: 500–1,000 lbs

• Working height: approximately 86 ft

• Suitable for: high-rise construction projects, industrial plants & refineries, utility & telecom work, bridges, stadiums & large venues

• Popular 80-ft models:JLG 800AJ, Genie Z-80/60, Skyjack SJ80 AJ, Genie S-80 J, Genie S-85 XC, JLG 800S, Snorkel 800S

Check out Zuma’s large boom lifts for sale collection for heavy-duty use.

The 120 ft boom lift is built for rugged jobs, incorporating advanced stability systems such as automatic leveling and outrigger extensions to ensure maximum protection at height. These features are not just added benefits—they align with OSHA aerial lift requirements to keep operators safe and compliant.

• Weight capacity: 500–1,000 lbs

• Working height: about 126 ft

• Suitable for:high-rise building constructions, stadium construction, maintenance of wind turbines, massive industrial plants, bridges, and tall building façades work

• Popular 120-ft models: JLG 1200SJP, Genie S-120 HD, Snorkel 1200S, Haulotte HT132 RTJ Pro

A 150 ft boom lift is extremely reliable when it comes to city development and high-rise building works. It combines impressive vertical height with extended outreach, allowing safe access to otherwise unreachable work areas.

• Weight capacity: 500–1,000 lbs

• Working height: approximately 156 ft.

• Suitable for: wind turbine maintenance, telecommunications tower work, and skyscraper construction.

• Popular 150-ft models: JLG 1500SJP, Genie SX-150, Snorkel 1500S, Haulotte HT180 PX

The 300 foot boom lift is the pinnacle of aerial platform engineering, and only a few of these boom lift types are operating worldwide. Among all, they are the highest boom lift models available for special cases. These machines command premium rental rates, and usually cost about $10,000 a day or more for extended projects.

• Weight capacity: 500–1,000 lbs

• Working height: around 300–335 ft.

• Suitable for: constructions at extreme height levels, large-scale stadium or arena projects, bridge and infrastructure projects, and specialty industrial applications

• Popular 300-ft models: Genie SX-300, JLG 3000SJP, Ruthmann T 350, Bronto Skylift F335 HLA

Not all boom lifts are created equal. The type of boom determines how you can maneuver, where you can use it, and how much reach you’ll get. So, it’s important to educate yourselves on boom lift types before making a purchase:

Articulating boom lifts, or knuckle boom lifts, have several sections that pivot or articulate and enable the operator to traverse upwards, over, and around obstacles. They are perfect when operating in tight spaces, congested industrial sites, and complex building structures. They come in heights of 30 ft up to 150 ft, yet the 40 ft articulated boom is where the majority of applications find their sweet spot.

Telescopic boom lifts, or commonly known as straight boom lifts, have a single boom arm that extends in a straight line. They offer the greatest horizontal reach of any aerial platform type. Their sizes typically range from 40 feet and can extend up to 300 feet in boom lifts. An 80 ft telescopic boom lift is the most commonly used for open spaces and outdoor projects.

A compact crawler boom lift, also known as a spider lift or atrium lift, is designed for ultimate accessibility. They have a tracked system that can maintain greater stability when operating on rugged, uneven, or muddy ground. They come in 30-foot models weighing below 5,000 pounds and can go up to 80-foot models weighing nearly 20,000 pounds.

The right boom lift sizes require balancing safety, efficiency, and project requirements. The best way to decide is by compartmentalizing the decision based on key factors, lift types, and power sources.

The first step is to weigh the core factors—height, outreach, ground conditions, and load capacity that determine whether a lift is truly fit for your site.

1. Height & Reach: Determine the maximum vertical height and horizontal reach needed. Always add a buffer to your estimate. Remember to distinguish between platform height and working height.

2. Terrain: Will you be working on a smooth concrete slab or on rough, muddy ground? The terrain dictates whether you need a 2WD, 4WD, or a tracked crawler model.

3. Capacity: Calculate the total weight of the operator(s), tools, and materials. Lifts may have unrestricted and restricted capacity zones, which limit weight at longer reaches.

Pro Tip: Before finalizing your choice, do not forget about access and maneuverability. Narrow doorways, tight aisles, and low-clearance gates may prevent a lift from reaching your work area. Always check the stowed dimensions—width, length, and height—especially for indoor projects where space is limited. 

Our team often sees this factor overlooked, yet it’s one factor that can make or break equipment suitability.

Articulating boom lifts and telescopic boom lifts each offer unique advantages within certain work applications. The table below highlights how they compare across features, sizes, and common uses.

Selecting between electric boom lifts and diesel boom lifts comes down to matching the machine to your job site conditions. The table below highlights their main differences to help guide your decision.

Avoiding these critical sizing errors can save thousands in project costs and prevent dangerous work conditions:

Working Height Miscalculations

• Forgetting to add 6 feet to the platform height for the actual working reach

• Selecting units that fall just short of requirements, forcing dangerous overreaching

• Not accounting for roof pitch or architectural features that require extra height

Horizontal Reach Oversights

• Ignoring obstacles that prevent optimal machine positioning

• Underestimating the distance from the setup point to the work area

• Failing to consider overhead obstructions limiting boom movement

Weight Capacity Errors

• Calculating for workers only, forgetting tools and materials

• Not accounting for cumulative load throughout the workday

• Ignoring material handling attachments that reduce platform capacity

Transportation & Access Issues

• Overlooking specialized permit requirements for larger machines

• Not budgeting for escort vehicles and route planning costs

• Failing to verify doorway dimensions and elevator capacities

• Ignoring ground pressure restrictions on decorated concrete or underground utilities

• Underestimating the setup space needed for outrigger deployment

Pro Tip: Always conduct a thorough site survey before equipment selection, documenting access routes, ground conditions, and all potential obstacles to avoid costly mid-project equipment changes.

Matching the boom lift to the task ensures efficiency and safety. Here are some common project scenarios and the best lift sizes for them:

For these tasks, 30-45 ft compact electric lifts are ideal. Their narrow chassis allows them to navigate tight aisles and doorways, while the emission-free operation is essential for indoor air quality. Articulating models are especially useful for reaching over shelving or machinery.

Warehouse environments often require reaching high shelves or servicing lighting and HVAC units. A small boom lift, such as a 30 ft electric articulating model, offers the perfect blend of height, maneuverability, and clean operation.

Heavy-duty construction and steel erection typically demand the power and reach of larger diesel lifts. An 80 ft telescopic lift is a common sight on these job sites, providing the strength and horizontal outreach needed to place beams and materials at height.

A boom lift for trees and houses 60 feet high or more is a common need for arborists and utility workers. A 40 ft articulating boom lift or a larger model provides the flexibility to work around branches and power lines. For backyard jobs with soft ground, a compact crawler boom lift is an excellent choice to minimize turf damage.

Massive projects like high-rise buildings and stadiums require the tallest lifts available. Here, 120–185 ft lifts, both articulating and telescopic, are used to reach the highest points for cladding, window installation, and inspections.

Compact and small boom lifts are designed to fit into areas where larger machines can’t operate. They provide reliable access in narrow aisles, indoor facilities, and other confined spaces. Explore the different types below to see which best suits your project needs.

A small boom lift is built for projects in space-restricted areas, combining a smaller frame with reliable reach and performance. This category also includes variations like the mini boom lift and other small boom lifts, which are often used indoors or in tight spaces where larger machines cannot fit.

Most models stand under 45 feet tall, measure less than 6 feet wide, and weigh under 7,000 pounds. These dimensions allow them to fit in elevators and reach upper floors, making them ideal for multi-story facilities. With platform heights of 30–45 feet and a horizontal reach of 15–20 feet, compact designs cover the majority of indoor maintenance and light construction tasks.

Many compact lifts run on electric batteries for all-day operation without charging interruptions. A portable boom lift extends this convenience by adding quick-deploy outriggers and transport wheels, allowing fast movement between different work areas. Whether used for facility management, store renovations, or general building maintenance, these compact machines deliver safe access with minimal disruption.

A towable boom lift is a trailer-mounted lift that makes aerial access more affordable and flexible. Models like the 35 foot towable boom lift are popular because they do not require a commercial driver’s license and can be towed with a standard pickup truck.

These compact units include integrated outriggers, onboard power, and automatic leveling, which means one operator can set them up in just minutes. Platform heights usually range from 35 to 55 feet, with some models reaching up to 65 feet.

With platform capacities between 350 and 500 pounds, towable lifts are ideal for single-operator tasks such as maintenance, repairs, or light construction. Many units offer dual fuel options, making them versatile for both indoor and outdoor use. Contractors who move between job sites, municipal crews, and even homeowners benefit from their portability and cost-effectiveness.

Explore our towable boom lift for sale to see models that fit standard towing capacities.

A crawler boom lift, also known as a compact crawler boom lift, is designed for tough terrain and sensitive surfaces where wheeled lifts cannot go. With working heights from 33 to 90 feet, these track-mounted machines spread their weight across a wider footprint, reducing ground pressure to as low as 5 PSI.

They’re safe to use on lawns, sidewalks, and even gymnasium floors. Their narrow profiles—sometimes less than 35 inches wide—allow access through standard gates and doorways, making them especially useful in tight or restricted spaces.

These lifts excel in landscaping, cemetery maintenance, and historical property work where minimal ground impact is crucial. Certain models handle slopes over 40%, giving access to hillsides and embankments too steep for wheeled machines.

With platform capacities ranging from 400 to 550 pounds, and features like adjustable track width for stability, crawler lifts provide dependable solutions for challenging job sites that demand both reach and care.

At Zuma Sales, we set ourselves apart with certified 100-point inspections on every unit, guaranteeing peak performance and full safety compliance. With nationwide U.S. coverage, we ensure fast delivery to any job site, supported by flexible financing options that make top-quality equipment more accessible.

Our comprehensive warranties and direct access to equipment experts provide end-to-end support, along with 24/7 online customer service whenever you need it.

We maintain real inventory across all boom lift categories (30–180 ft. reach), with ready-to-ship availability on articulating, telescopic, and rough-terrain models. Every unit is job-site ready and performing at the highest level.

Unlike brokers, we own our stock, ensuring transparent pricing, immediate fulfillment, and manufacturer-backed warranties.

Choosing the perfect boom lift can be a complex decision, but you don't have to make it alone. Our team of experts is here to help you analyze your project's needs and recommend the most effective and safest machine for the job.

For personalized advice and to explore our extensive inventory of new and used boom lifts, please contact us today.