Hey everyone, if you’ve ever wandered around a construction site, film set, or even a big warehouse and stared at that big, liftable arm machine hoisting workers up high to fix lights or repair the roof – yeah, that’s a boom lift. As someone who’s been selling used boom lifts for years, I get that buying one new can feel like throwing way too much money down the drain, and sorting through all the different types out there is straight-up confusing. Not all boom lifts are created equal, right? Some are built for tight city jobs, others for rough farm or construction sites, and picking the wrong one can turn a smooth job into a total nightmare. Today I’m breaking down the main types of used boom lifts, plus what each one’s best for, from the guy who’s seen hundreds of these machines roll in and out of our yard. Used Boom Lift
First off, let’s start with the ones I sell more of than any other – telescopic boom lifts, sometimes just called “straight boom lifts.” These bad boys have a long, straight arm that extends right out, no hinges or knuckles in between. I’ll be real with you, they’re the height kings of the boom lift world. The smallest used ones you’ll find are around 40 feet high, and I’ve sold ones that hit 180 feet before – yeah, that’s almost twice the height of a football field’s goalpost. So what makes them different from others? They can reach way out past obstacles too, not just straight up. Like, if you have a warehouse with a bunch of stacked pallets in front of the area you need to work on the ceiling, a telescopic boom can stretch over those pallets to get to that spot, no problem. They’re also pretty tough, too – most of the used ones I get in have solid steel frames and big, durable tires that handle rough construction ground like it’s nothing. But here’s the catch: they’re not great for tight spaces. That long straight arm means they need more room to move, rotate, and get into position. If you’re working in a narrow city alley or around parked trucks, a telescopic might not fit. Also, because the arm is rigid, it’s more sensitive to wind – I’ve had a few customers tell me they wouldn’t use one of these in super stormy weather, because that long arm sways way more than a hinged one. That’s why they’re perfect for big construction projects, bridge repairs, or filming a movie on a wide-open set – places where height and reach are non-negotiable and you’ve got the space to work.
Next up, the workhorse of the used boom lift game: articulated boom lifts, or “knuckle booms” to the folks who hang around our yard. These have that cool, hinged arm – like, it bends in multiple spots, so it can snake around obstacles like the overhang of a building, a tree, or even other pieces of equipment. I’ll admit, when I first started selling these, I thought they were less powerful than straight booms, but I was dead wrong. They come in sizes too, from 30 feet up to around 150 feet, which is more than enough for most jobs. The best part? They’re made for tight, tricky spaces. If you’re a plumber fixing a leak on a third-floor window that’s tucked between two buildings, an articulated boom can lift you up, bend the arm right around the corner of the building, and set you exactly where you need to go. That knuckle design also means they handle wind way better than telescopic booms, because the arm isn’t a long rigid pole bouncing around. A lot of our rental customers love used articulated booms too, since they’re versatile for all sorts of small to mid-sized jobs. The only downside? They can’t reach quite as high as the biggest telescopic booms, and their max horizontal reach is usually a little shorter too. But for 90% of the jobs out there – like painting a multi-story apartment building, trimming trees in a crowded neighborhood, or working in a warehouse with rows of shelving – articulated booms are the go-to pick, and they make up most of our used inventory, honestly.
Now, let’s talk about something a lot of people don’t know about when they start looking: boom lifts aren’t all just big, diesel-powered monsters that take up half the parking lot. There’s also towable boom lifts, sometimes called trailer-mounted boom lifts. These are the compact, towable ones you hook up to the back of a pickup truck, then tow right to a job site. I see so many small business owners sleep on these, but they’re a game-changer for one-person or small team jobs. The smallest towable ones are like 20 feet high, and the biggest go up to around 50 feet – perfect for things like fixing gutters on a single-family home, putting up holiday lights around a neighborhood, or changing signs at a small retail shop. You don’t need a huge truck to haul them, they take up way less space than a full-sized boom lift, and you can even store them in a small garage when you’re not using them. The only real downsides? They’re not as heavy-duty as full-sized boom lifts, so don’t try taking one out to a rocky construction site or job site with super steep slopes – they can tip if the ground isn’t mostly flat. Also, their height is way lower than the big telescopic or articulated booms, so they’re not for high-rise work. But for small contractors, electricians, tree service companies, or even homeowners doing big yard projects, used towable boom lifts are a total steal, and a lot cheaper to buy or rent than a full-sized model.
Wait, I can’t skip over scissor lifts? No, hold on, some people mix those up with boom lifts, but wait – no, let’s be clear. Wait, no, actually, there’s also rough-terrain boom lifts, which I grouped in, but let’s talk about that too. Wait, no, another type: vertical mast boom lifts? No, maybe that’s a subset. Wait, actually, there’s a category I almost forgot: electric boom lifts, which come in both telescopic and articulated types, so let’s split that out as a power source, not a type. Oh right, because a lot of people care about fuel type when buying used, especially if they’re working indoors. Diesel booms are for outside, heavy jobs, but electric boom lifts are perfect for warehouses, malls, or indoor construction projects where you can’t have fumes. They’re quieter too, so if you’re working in an office building that’s still open, electric is the way to go.
Wait, also, there’s low-level boom lifts, which are super small, like under 30 feet, made for indoor jobs, changing lights in a gym or school. Those are a popular used item because they’re easy to move around, no need for a special operator’s license in some states? Wait, no, I should mention operator requirements quickly, because that’s a big one. A lot of first-time buyers don’t know that most boom lifts (over 30 feet, usually) require the operator to have a certification, like a OSHA card. So when you’re looking at used models, keep that in mind – if you’re a small business with a team that’s not certified, maybe start with a smaller towable or low-level boom that’s easier to operate without extra paperwork.
Wait, let’s circle back. I should also mention the differences in tire types, because that’s tied to where you’ll use the boom. Rough-terrain booms have big, knobby, deep-tread tires that handle mud, gravel, uneven dirt, even snow if you’re working in winter. Those are the ones you see on construction sites. Then there are smooth-tired booms, sometimes called “sidewalk booms,” that have hard rubber or smooth tires made for concrete, asphalt, indoor floors, so they don’t scuff or damage pavement. That’s why you see them moving around city streets or inside big warehouses.
Let me make this real for you, like I’m talking to a buddy who’s about to drop $10k on a used boom and doesn’t want to make a mistake. Last year, I had a guy come in who was a tree trimmer, said he needed a boom to reach tall oak trees in the suburbs. First he wanted a telescopic boom, because he thought taller was better. But when I asked him where he worked, he said tight backyards, between houses, lots of trees and fences. I showed him a used articulated boom – it could reach 55 feet, which was more than enough for his trees, and that knuckle arm let him work around the house overhangs and fences, where the straight telescopic would’ve gotten stuck. He bought it, and texted me a month later saying it was way better than the telescopic he was gonna get, saved him so much time.
Another story: a guy who owned a small electrical company, needed to fix lights in strip malls and office buildings. He had a pickup, so we sold him a used towable boom, 30 feet high. He tows it right to each job, sets it up on the parking lot, lifts his tech up, done in an hour. He tried renting a full-sized articulated boom once, and hated how big it was, cost way more per day, and couldn’t get into the tight parking spots of the strip malls. So the towable was perfect for him.
And for the big construction guys? Last quarter we sold a used 120-foot telescopic boom to a general contractor building a new apartment complex. They needed to reach the top of the 10-story building, and stretch out to reach the side where they were installing siding, over all the scaffolding and materials on the ground. That straight arm was exactly what they needed, and buying used saved them like $40k compared to new, which they could put towards other parts of the project.
Now, let’s talk about what to look for when you’re buying a used boom, because I’m not just here to list types – I’m here to help you not get scammed. First, check the hours. Boom lifts have engines, just like trucks, so the more hours on it, the more wear and tear. Most good used ones have under 2,000 hours, but some are well-maintained with 5,000 that are still solid. Then, check for leaks. Hydraulic fluid leaks are super common on older booms, and fixing them can cost you a ton, so walk around the whole machine, especially under the arm and around the engine, for any wet spots. Also, test the arm! Extend it, bend it, lift it up and down, make sure it moves smoothly, no grinding or weird noises. And check the tires – if they’re cracked or worn thin, that’s another cost. For towable booms, make sure the trailer hitch is in good shape, the brakes work, and the winch (if it has one) is functional.
Wait, also, a quick note on certification: OSHA requires that anyone operating a boom lift that’s over 30 feet tall, or any boom lift used in a commercial setting, has to be trained and certified. So if you’re buying for your team, make sure you factor in training time and cost, or get a boom that fits your team’s current certification level.
At the end of the day, picking the right used boom lift is all about matching what you need it for. If you need to reach high, wide-open spaces, go for a telescopic. If you’re working in tight spots, around obstacles, go for an articulated. If you need something small, portable, for home or small jobs, go for a towable. And if you’re working indoors, or care about fuel costs, look for an electric model instead of diesel. We’ve got all of these on our yard, from 20-foot towables up to 180-foot telescopic booms, all inspected, serviced, and ready to go for whatever job you’ve got lined up.
If you’re tired of wasting time and money renting the wrong boom, or overpaying for a new one that’s too much for your needs, hit us up. We can walk you through each type, show you the units we have in stock, answer all your questions, and help you pick the perfect used boom lift that fits your budget and your jobs. Don’t settle for a one-size-fits-all machine – get something that works for your business.
References:
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2023). Powered Industrial Trucks and Aerial Lifts: Operator Training Requirements. U.S. Department of Labor.
Association of Equipment Manufacturers. (2022). Boom Lift Product Specification and Usage Guidelines. AEM.
National Rental Association. (2021). Used Aerial Lift Market Trends and Buyer’s Guide. NRA.Hey everyone, if you’ve ever wandered around a construction site, film set, or even a big warehouse and stared at that big, liftable arm machine hoisting workers up high to fix lights or repair the roof – yeah, that’s a boom lift. As someone who’s been selling used boom lifts for years, I get that buying one new can feel like throwing way too much money down the drain, and sorting through all the different types out there is straight-up confusing. Not all boom lifts are created equal, right? Some are built for tight city jobs, others for rough farm or construction sites, and picking the wrong one can turn a smooth job into a total nightmare. Today I’m breaking down the main types of used boom lifts, plus what each one’s best for, from the guy who’s seen hundreds of these machines roll in and out of our yard.
First off, let’s start with the ones I sell more of than any other – telescopic boom lifts, sometimes just called “straight boom lifts.” These bad boys have a long, straight arm that extends right out, no hinges or knuckles in between. I’ll be real with you, they’re the height kings of the boom lift world. The smallest used ones you’ll find are around 40 feet high, and I’ve sold ones that hit 180 feet before – yeah, that’s almost twice the height of a football field’s goalpost. So what makes them different from others? They can reach way out past obstacles too, not just straight up. Like, if you have a warehouse with a bunch of stacked pallets in front of the area you need to work on the ceiling, a telescopic boom can stretch over those pallets to get to that spot, no problem. They’re also pretty tough, too – most of the used ones I get in have solid steel frames and big, durable tires that handle rough construction ground like it’s nothing. But here’s the catch: they’re not great for tight spaces. That long straight arm means they need more room to move, rotate, and get into position. If you’re working in a narrow city alley or around parked trucks, a telescopic might not fit. Also, because the arm is rigid, it’s more sensitive to wind – I’ve had a few customers tell me they wouldn’t use one of these in super stormy weather, because that long arm sways way more than a hinged one. That’s why they’re perfect for big construction projects, bridge repairs, or filming a movie on a wide-open set – places where height and reach are non-negotiable and you’ve got the space to work.
Next up, the workhorse of the used boom lift game: articulated boom lifts, or “knuckle booms” to the folks who hang around our yard. These have that cool, hinged arm – like, it bends in multiple spots, so it can snake around obstacles like the overhang of a building, a tree, or even other pieces of equipment. I’ll admit, when I first started selling these, I thought they were less powerful than straight booms, but I was dead wrong. They come in sizes too, from 30 feet up to around 150 feet, which is more than enough for most jobs. The best part? They’re made for tight, tricky spaces. If you’re a plumber fixing a leak on a third-floor window that’s tucked between two buildings, an articulated boom can lift you up, bend the arm right around the corner of the building, and set you exactly where you need to go. That knuckle design also means they handle wind way better than telescopic booms, because the arm isn’t a long rigid pole bouncing around. A lot of our rental customers love used articulated booms too, since they’re versatile for all sorts of small to mid-sized jobs. The only downside? They can’t reach quite as high as the biggest telescopic booms, and their max horizontal reach is usually a little shorter too. But for 90% of the jobs out there – like painting a multi-story apartment building, trimming trees in a crowded neighborhood, or working in a warehouse with rows of shelving – articulated booms are the go-to pick, and they make up most of our used inventory, honestly.
Now, let’s talk about the compact, super convenient option that a lot of small business owners sleep on: towable boom lifts, sometimes called trailer-mounted boom lifts. These are the smaller, pull-behind models you hook up to the back of a pickup truck, then tow right straight to a job site. I see so many folks sleep on these, but they’re a total game-changer for one-person or small teams. The smallest towable ones are like 20 feet high, and the biggest go up to around 50 feet – perfect for things like fixing gutters on a single-family home, putting up holiday lights around a neighborhood, or changing signs at a small retail shop. You don’t need a huge work truck to haul them, they take up way less space than a full-sized boom lift, and you can even store them in a regular garage when you’re not using them. The only real downsides? They’re not as heavy-duty as full-sized boom lifts, so don’t try taking one out to a rocky construction site or job site with super steep slopes – they can tip if the ground isn’t mostly flat. Also, their height is way lower than the big telescopic or articulated booms, so they’re not for high-rise work. But for small contractors, electricians, tree service companies, or even homeowners doing big yard projects, used towable boom lifts are a total steal, and way cheaper to buy or rent than a full-sized model.
Used Boom Lift Wait, I should also break down boom lifts by power source, because that’s a big factor most new buyers don’t think about. A lot of models come in both diesel and electric versions, right? Diesel booms are the workhorses – they have more power, handle rough terrain way better, and run longer, so they’re for outdoor construction, farm work, or any job where you’re outside all day with no power access. But they’re loud, they emit fumes, and they’re not ideal for enclosed spaces. That’s where electric boom lifts come in – whether they’re telescopic or articulated, electric models run on batteries, are super quiet, and have zero exhaust fumes, so you can use them inside
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