Boom time: Innovation, not tariffs, is driving the telescopic boom lift market

We may be in the midst of a global trade war, but pressure to compete on an international level is still what is driving the telescopic boom lift market.

Manufacturers from around the world say that the recent introduction of new import tariffs in the USA, and those in Europe affecting mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), have not slowed the intensifying competition in the global market for technical innovation.

Genie’s S85 XC E being used for welding. (Image: Genie).

Take Terex-owned, US-based Genie, which has manufacturing facilities in the US, Mexico, China and Italy.

Earlier this year, the company launched new hybrid and rough terrain versions of its 91-foot working height S-85XC which it says will be available to customers in the third quarter.

The clever thing about the electric and hybrids lifts, says Dominik Damm, director, product management, booms portfolio at Genie is that they are powered by 48-volt lithium-ion batteries – the smallest lithium battery in the industry in the 85-foot class – something made possible by efficiency improvements throughout the machine which lowered energy consumption compared with competitors’ booms.

“These boom lifts are a complete upgrade, with thoughtful engineering and more than 80 quality improvements with the goal of keeping our machine in the field longer with fewer service intervals,” says Damm.

Battery innovations

“The batteries also are smart, with software management systems to protect themselves from damage. Additionally, we made service easier because the battery is only 48 volts. Specialized technician certifications are required for anyone working on a 60-volt or larger battery, so we made service access easier by keeping the battery smaller.”

Two battery sizes are available: standard size for the FE hybrid, or an XC battery for the electric E machine. The XC version of the 48-volt battery has a 7-hour rapid recharge, compared with 10-15 hours that other machines on the market required. The XC battery could be added as an option on the FE machine.

Genie’s third-generation hybrid system on the S-85 XC FE included the 48-volt Lithium-Ion battery and 24 hp, DPF-free engine. The engine/generator combination provided enough power to run a full workday in electric mode, or a full work week on a single tank of fuel. It also allowed for ‘dead-battery’ operation: when the batteries are completely drained, the engine/generator provided enough power to run any function. Rapid recharge of 4.5 hours is twice as fast as other systems on the market, said the manufacturer.

The dual capacity XC models meant operators could load the platform up to 1,000 pounds for the majority of the lift’s range and to 660 pounds through the full envelope. Additionally, Genie’s powerful Lift Power solution is also available in the machines.

MEC’s articulated and telescopic boom lift, the DualReach 85-J

According to Genie, the new models are the first electrified boom lifts to offer a lithium-ion powered AC generator welder-ready tool. Genie’s Lift Power tool is also capable of providing 7kW for the Australian market and up to 12kW for the North American market - the highest power output in the industry for welding applications. A 3kW power inverter, available globally, provided power to the platform to support power washers, drills and other power tools.

US-based MEC, which is owned by Chinese giant Dingli and manufactures its machines in Dingli’s Zhejiang facility, launched its articulated and telescopic boom lift (the DualReach 85-J) last year but has already innovated once again to produce its 66-RJ articulating jib boom lift this year.

“Besides the need to improve capacities and reach, we added the rotating jib, which adds dexterity,” said Gary Crook, VP of Engineering at MEC.

“The rotating jib has proven itself in industrial,” Crook said. “We heard customers and end-users talking about the difficulty in threading through steel beams and various structures.

New rotating jib

“There’s a clever balance between maintaining productivity and safety,” he added. “So, we aim to maintain having little to no impact on the speed at work but making it safer.”

Further expanding its line of boom lifts, MEC also announced further new boom models, options and updates for the industry in order to offer more alternatives for rental customers to diversify their boom fleet it said, including smaller siblings for the 85-J.

The newly announced DualReach 60-J diesel boom lift offers versatile operation with both telescopic and articulated modes, eliminating the need to rent multiple lifts, MEC said. It provides a 66-foot working height, a 6-foot jib and dual capacity options of 600 pounds unrestricted and 900 pounds restricted. The DualReach 65-J is also available, offering the same features with a 71-foot working height.

Sinoboom’s 360° Tank Turn device. (Image: Sinoboom).

Meanwhile, Chinese based Sinoboom, which manufactures from facilities in China and Poland and is currently constructing a factory in central Mexico, has been actively updating its boom range.

Last year the company launched a new electric boom, AB26€J Plus that features an 84-foot height and 62.7-foot outreach.

The TB38(E)RJ Plus and TB42(E)RJ Plus are high-footage telescopic lifts featuring a new X chassis and can be driven into containers for transportation.

A new feature from the company, which appeared at Bauma, is the 360° Tank Turn, enabling the whole boom lift to make complete 360° turns, thanks to the unique four-wheel independent control system. In conjunction with precise lifting and boom movement functions, it substantially expands the machine’s flexibility in restricted work spaces.

Four wheel independent control system

Fellow Chinese lift maker LGMG, which has factories in China’s Shandong Province and Monterray, Mexico, also used its booth at Bauma to debut telescopic boom lifts from its new -2 series, featuring the T26JE-2 and T38J-2 telescopic boom lifts, as well as the AR20JE-2 articulating boom lift. It follows their launch at Bauma China last November.

The T26JE-2 has a new Parallelogram tower boom design to increase reach and avoid obstacles. The T38J-2 is equipped with an X-type chassis expansion structure for compact transportation and operations in confined areas.

Both T26JE-2 and AR20JE-2 are powered by large capacity 80 V Lithium battery and equipped with a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) as a lifting motor. This advanced system integrates the motor and controller into a single, maintenance-free unit. LGMG says the PMSM enhances efficiency while reducing energy depletion and operating costs.

Zoomlion’s new ZT82J offers a maximum working height of 82.3m. (Photo: KHL)

Another Chinese OEM is Zoomlion, which predominantly manufactures in China but also has eleven overseas production bases in countries including Italy, Germany, India, Mexico, Belarus, Brazil, Turkey and the US.

Zoomlion says its new 270-foot working height boom - claimed to be the largest ever - will be available worldwide in 2025.

The ZT82J, launched at Bauma China, is currently undergoing site trials before being made available initially to Chinese customers.

The massive machine offers a maximum outreach of 112 feet. It weighs 53.5 tons and is powered by a Cummins F4.5 engine. Stowed dimensions are 57.4 feet (length) by 9.2 feet (width) by 10.9 feet (height).

Largest working height boom

The launch follows the introduction of a 223-foot working height machine at the previous Bauma China show in 2020.

“We have interest in the machine from customers in India and the Middle East,” said Bryan Zhang, regional sales manager for Europe, Africa and the Middle East, speaking to Access International at Bauma China.

“In particular, it is suited for work at oil and gas and refineries.” He added that customers could include both rental companies and end users.

Zhang said the machine on show in Shanghai is a prototype, with the possibility that some components could be changed before its commercial launch.

Niftylift’s HR22. Photo: Niftylift

Meanwhile, Niftylift, which manufactures its lifts at its UK base, has also recently launched its first-ever telescopic model.

The all-electric HR22 SE follows requests from its customers for a telescopic boom and is designed to cover a large working area with up to 71-foot of reach from a platform that extends up to 65-foot vertically and with a horizontal outreach of 62-foot.

Other features include a compact tail swing of 1.8 feet for operation in congested spots and a vertical articulation of the basket of up to 150˚ and equivalent horizontal movement of 170˚, to access difficult-to-reach areas.

The unit’s zero-emissions, electric drive is based on Niftylift’s existing technology and there’s a low-noise pump. Power comes from a configuration of 8 x 400 Ah batteries that deliver 48 V, with a 60 A charger for re-powering.

The OEM also says that the driving experience is smooth thanks to a rear suspension system and travel speeds can reach up to 3.4 miles per hour with a 25.3-foot turning radius.

“Customers have been asking us for a simplified, lower-cost, straight boom option,” said John Keely, managing director at Niftylift.

“It’s perfect for construction and other industrial applications and delivers great reach and control from an all-electric design that ensures lower noise and emissions on site.”

The basket on the new HR22 SE can accommodate up to 617 pounds of personnel and tools inside the 7.9-foot by 3-foot basket.