Types of Boom Lifts: The Complete US Contractor’s Guide

Every profitable project starts with having the right iron on the job site. Each type of boom lift serves a distinct tactical purpose, and understanding the specific engineering differences can save you significant downtime and rental costs in the long run.

At Zuma Sales, we know how important it is to have expert guidance to match you with equipment that is ANSI-compliant and built to meet your specific ROI requirements.

Want to know your options before making a capital commitment? Read the complete details on the types of boom lifts in the expert guide we’ve designed below.

Each type of boom lift is engineered with distinct strengths to suit specific US job site conditions, from the paved surfaces of the East Coast to the rough terrain of the Midwest. However, those same features may also limit performance in certain environments if the equipment isn’t matched correctly to the scope of work.

At Zuma Sales, we’ve supported countless projects that encountered similar challenges in choosing among the different types of boom lifts. To help address this and give you confidence in your decision, we’ve prepared a comparison table that highlights their best features, ideal use cases, and situations where they may not be advisable.

This part is where most first-time buyers get overwhelmed fast. It’s hard to choose, let alone reach a final decision, when you don’t know where to start in the first place.

Our tip is to start with the job’s hard constraints, like where the work will be done, how high and far you need to reach, and the weight that the platform must carry, keeping in mind strictly enforced ANSI A92.20 platform load-sensing requirements.

Once you’ve identified the hard constraints, it will be easier to narrow down your choices and eliminate the unsuitable boom lift classification quickly. From there, you can further refine by terrain, obstacles, budget, and operator skill.

At Zuma Sales, we understand the nuances of assessing all of the above on your own, so we’ve created a decision framework to help you with some of the different factors you need to consider when selecting one for the job.

Use these steps as a quick guide to evaluate your site:

Don't just ask if the job is inside or outside; look at exactly what the tires will touch. If you are running on finished concrete slabs, you need non-marking tires to avoid leaving black scuffs on the client's floor. If you are dealing with job site mud or loose gravel, you need rough terrain lugs and 4WD to keep from getting stuck. 

Also, get a tape measure on your entryways before the delivery truck arrives. A boom lift can reach 40 feet, but that won’t help if it can’t even get through the facility doors or squeeze down your narrow aisles.

Height is easy to estimate. The horizontal distance is what many people don’t think to measure. You can rarely park the machine directly underneath the target area. 

On a live job site, you almost never get to just pull up and lift. You are typically forced to set up well back from the target to avoid driving over soft turf, hitting installed machinery, or sliding into a drainage ditch.

You have to calculate the horizontal offset from where your wheels are planted to where your hands need to be. If you are facing fixed barriers, such as retaining walls or HVAC ducts, you need a machine with genuine "up-and-over" geometry to clear the hurdle without fouling the boom.

• Threading the needle around obstacles? You need an Articulating Boom.

• Wide open space and need max height? Go with a Telescopic Boom.

• Soft turf, slopes, or fragile floors? A Crawler/Spider Lift is your best bet.

• Bouncing between job sites all week? A Towable Boom saves you on hauling costs.

• What’s your project duration? Short-term, or long-term?

• Which option fits your long-term goals? Buying new, used, or renting?

• If renting is an option:

  • How much cash are you burning through for the whole project duration?

  • Is it practical to rent this time, or should you be looking at owning the equipment?

  • What is your actual limit for buying the machine, hauling it, and keeping it running?

  • Does your team have trained operators who meet ANSI A92.24 training standards?

  • Would you like to have flexible financing options to make ownership more manageable? 
    

By the time you have answered the questions above, you will have a clear idea of the type of fence that will best suit your requirements and goals as well.

But if you are still not sure about which type of boom lift you can afford or need, our team of experts is always there to help you out.

You will find that lifting needs vary a lot from one industry to another. If you can't decide, just observe what others in your line of work are using. It is generally a safe bet to follow the industry standard. This gives you peace of mind that the lift will hold up for your specific tasks.

We want to do the heavy lifting for your research as much as possible, so we’ve gathered insights on which boom lift types each industry commonly uses in its operations. All you need to do is find where your work aligns best.

Most construction projects involve a mix of heavy lifting and exterior framing. To finish roofing or structural work, you have to get pretty high up. You need equipment that shoots straight out to the max height while staying steady on the wide spaces of the job site. This industry values precise positioning and reliable reach, especially for large-scale projects.

• Primary choice: Telescopic boom lifts

• Strength lies in: Maximum height and reach for building work

• Common models: Genie SX-125XC, Genie S-85, Genie S-65 XC

Landscaping comes with rough ground, limited space, and plenty of natural barriers. It makes access a real challenge. The ideal lift allows you to move smoothly around branches and slopes. It shouldn't compromise on balance or control since you need both accuracy and stability out in the field.

• Primary choice: Articulating boom lifts

• Strength lies in: Maneuverability around branches and obstacles

• Common models: Genie Z-30/20N, Genie Z-34/22N, Genie Z-45/25J

From electrical and HVAC repairs to ceiling work, routine maintenance covers a lot of ground. It usually happens in tight or mixed environments. The right lift needs to offer flexible reach and smooth handling to get the job done. A compact machine makes it easier to complete multiple tasks without slowing down.

• Primary choice: Articulating boom lifts

• Strength lies in: Versatility across maintenance tasks

• Common models: Genie Z-62/40, JLG 340AJ, Genie Z-45/25J

When you work in manufacturing, you are accessing overhead systems and storage racks all the time. Machinery installations are common too. You need a lift that holds a straight line and handles heavy loads at height. It is essential for keeping things safe and efficient in those massive production environments.

• Primary choice: Telescopic boom lifts

• Why: High reach for industrial installations

• Common models: Genie SX-125XC, Genie S-85, Genie S-65 XC

Buying used can be a smart move, as long as you’re not taking on unknown risk. At Zuma Sales, we help you stretch your budget further with used boom lifts from trusted brands like Genie, JLG, and Skyjack, without cutting corners on reliability.

Every unit we sell is fully inspected, serviced, and prepared for shipping anywhere in the United States. Just as important, you’ll get clear, straightforward visibility into what’s been done, including available service history records and maintenance documentation, so you can make a decision based on facts, not guesswork.

Our inspection approach strictly follows ANSI A92.20 standards for design and ANSI A92.22 for safe use. We ensure all equipment meets the modern requirement for platform load sensing and supports jobsite readiness under applicable OSHA safety expectations.

Flexible financing is also available to make ownership easier on cash flow.

Sorting through all the different boom lift types often feels simple when you start, but it gets complicated fast. You have to compare working height, outreach, and terrain limits, while also figuring out power options and transport needs. If you are trying to weigh all this up on your own, you are definitely not alone. 

Most buyers hit a point where the details just start to blur together. Our team is here to make that process a lot easier for you. We ask practical questions about your site conditions and the work you do to narrow down the choices.

You get the honest answers and support you need to buy with confidence, ensuring you don't settle for a model that fails your daily requirements.

If you’re curious to understand boom lifts beyond the basics, we’ve written plenty of boom lift resources that break things down in a practical way.

If you read a bit further, you’ll see how the details on a boom lift spec sheet affect how it performs and what it’s really worth over time. After a while, certain patterns start to pop up, and choosing equipment gets much easier. You’ll likely learn a few things you’ll keep using well beyond this one project.