Fully ranged: developments in telescopic boom lifts

The telescopic boom sector has seen some important developments this year, from the top to the bottom of the working height spectrum, as well as new power options. 

At ConExpo in March, Snorkel unveiled the world’s largest self-propelled telescopic boom lift, the Snorkel 2100SJ. 

Dubbed a ‘mega boom’, the new Snorkel 2100SJ reaches a maximum working height of 66m, provides an industry-leading outreach up to 30.4m, and an unrestricted platform capacity of 300kg. Ideal for high-rise construction and maintenance tasks, the 2100SJ reaches the equivalent of 22 building stories.

The Snorkel 2100SJ is the first self-propelled boom lift in the world to reach a 66m working height, “So,” says Mathew Elvin, CEO of Snorkel, “We are essentially creating the market. We see plenty of opportunities for the 2100SJ, and already have customer interest from a number of stadium projects that are under construction, as well as for maintenance activities in petrochemical facilities.”

Elvin explains that as buildings get larger and more complex in their design, contractors need not only equipment that can reach higher but also reach further.

The 2100SJ has an outreach of 30.5m and the largest working envelope in its class with an area volume of 155,176m3. The company’s engineers are working on additional high reach telescopic boom models to be unveiled in 2021.

Snorkel also presented the 660SJ All Terrain, at ConExpo, which is its mid-size telescopic boom lift, fitted with tracks as part of the company’s All Terrain package.

Moving from the mega to the micro, MEC engineers were challenged to develop a solution for the thousands of construction jobs that are under 40ft but also require outreach.

According to MEC, “The smallest telescopic booms available in today’s market offer 46ft working height, which is often more machine than is necessary for the job”. In response, the US-based manufacturer this year introduced the new 34-J diesel telescopic boom, which is very compact yet can stand up to the role of a rough terrain construction boom.

The model provides a 12.2m (40ft) working height with standard 1.5m (5ft) jib with 135 degree range of motion. It is compact and lightweight at 3,900kg (8,600lb) without compromising durability. Another advantage is that it can be towed by a full-size truck and trailer, or three units can fit on a flatbed truck. It also features a standard 72 inch platform, including 3-sided entry with a swing gate.

Then of course, there are all sizes in between. Haulotte has expanded its diesel line this year, with the 16m working height HT16 RTJ, launched in June. The HT16 RTJ O/PRO (HT46 RTJ O/PRO in North America), shares the same design and performance characteristics as the other models in the RTJ range. The boom provides a dual platform capacity of 250kg (550 lb), increasing to 350kg (770 lb).

The new model elevates to full working height in less than one minute and has a 360° turret rotation. The mechanical axle drive allows for the use of a smaller 24hp/18.5 kW, simpler engine, while maintaining the same performances as other RTJ booms in the range. Thanks to this smaller engine, it eliminates the need for a Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC). In Stage V-regulated countries, there is also no requirement to use a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF).

Expanding capacities

Dual capacity has become standard in the industry, following the annoucement of ANSI standards, which ultimately came into effect in June this year. In the second quarter of 2020, Skyjack announced it had enhanced its boom range, with most of the changes focusing on its 40ft and 60ft products and largely boasted increased platform capacities. The SJ45 T+ and SJ66 T+ feature dual capacity ratings of 272kg and 454kg.

“Because of updated ANSI A92.20’s approach to load sensing meant stopping equipment from being operated while overloaded, we decided to expand the functionalities of the equipment by providing it with a dual-capacity rating,” explains Corey Connolly, product manager at Skyjack, “This helps an easy transition for end users”. The changes have been extended to its line worldwide to create a globally aligned offering.

JLG’s Hi-Capacity boom lift models, first launched in 2019, have a similar aim. The HC in HC3 refers to its Hi-Capacity, while the 3 stands for the three working areas to which the machine automatically adjusts itself.

There is 300kg capacity available in the entire working envelope and 340kg to 454kg in the restricted area, allowing three people with tools in the basket and a side inclination of 5 degrees.

For example, the 460SJ HC3, first introduced at bauma 2019, has a working height of 16.2m and a maximum outreach of 13m, depending on the platform load, and a 360-degree rotation.  

Third option

Genie, having previously launched a range of dual capacity XC booms, returned to a single capacity format this year with the new J series, so far incorporating the S-60 J and S-80J. The J series is designed to complement the heavier duty XC and its hybrid FE booms.

Both models have unrestricted platform capacity of 300kg (660lb), with a 1.8m (6ft) jib and work heights of 20.5m (66 ft 10) and 26.4 m (86 ft), respectively, the series is designed for completing maintenance, inspections, painting, and other general work-at-height jobs, rather the heavy duty construction work of the Xtra Capicity (XC) range, and as a result lowers the cost of ownership by up to 20%.

The two-section boom and single envelope mast drives cost savings by eliminating length sensors, cabling and wearable components throughout. A new hydraulic system requires 33% less fluid volume than common booms in comparable height classes. It also weighs about a third less than comparable booms.

Providing a further option, the S-80 J is lightweight enough at 10,433kg (23,000lb) to be equipped with Genie TraX system, an independent four-point track system that makes it agile drive in difficult terrain.

Dingli has confirmed that its full series of large self propelled boom models are now available as electric-powered versions.

Since 2016, Zhejiang Dingli’s European research and development centre has launched 14 boom lifts in the 24.3m to 30.3m working height category. Seven of the models are combustion engine-powered, while seven are electric- powered. The models have basket capacities up to 454kg.

Electric range

Dingli claims to be the world’s only series production manufacturer of an electric-powered self propelled booms with a capacity of 454kg and a working height over 22m. Its line-up of electric booms now incorporates telescopic models from 24.8m to 30.3m.  

The electric and diesel engine drive series are developed on the same platform, with 95% of the structural parts and 90% of the components being common, thus reducing the cost of maintenance, parts storage and labour.

The electric models are equipped with 80V520Ah high-capacity lithium battery packs, which support 90-minute quick charge, supporting on average four days of use.

The manufacturer is making further inroads into telescopic booms. Up until now its boom lifts have ben co-designed with Italy-based Magni. That relationship will continue and with Dingli’s investment in 24% of Germany-based tracked platform specialist Teupen’s shares this year, so will its development of its boom line. Teupen will concentrate on the development of very large self propelled boom lifts in the 36m - 50m working height range.

Teupen CEO Martin Borutta says, “We always have to be ahead in the area of weight, height and outreach because spider lifts have to be as light as possible with the maximum performance we can provide.”

LGMG has just launched the T20D boom lift into the European market. The T20D offers horizontal outreach at 17.2m (56.4ft), a working height of 21.7m (71.2ft), and platform capacity of 250kg (551lbs) meaning two operators can occupy the platform.

In the second quarter of 2021, LGMG will expand its offering with the T26D, the first in its series of larger booms. It offers horizontal outreach of 23.32m (76.5ft), a working height of 27.9m (91.5ft), and a dual platform capacity of 250kg/340g (551lb/750lb). The aim is to offer machines up to 32m by the end of 2021. Building up

Sinoboom will introduce a series of heavy duty booms to the market later this year. The dual load capacity of 300kg/454kg allows workers to bring more tools to height, so improving working efficiency. In the future, 18m - 28m working height, pure electric telescopic boom lifts are planned, as well as pure electric and hybrid rough terrain scissors, and telescopic and articulating boom lifts in line with European Stage V. Beyond telescopics, an 18m articulating boom lift will join Sinoboom’s electric lift family.

Shanghai Zhenhua Port Machinery (ZPMC) has received 50 boom lifts from XCMG’s new XG series.

The two Chinese companies celebrated the order during a ceremony at XCMG’s access equipment production plant, in Xuzhou, China, in August.

ZPMC is an established customer of XCMG and already uses previous generations of XCMG MEWPs in many of its port machinery manufacturing plants, scattered along the east coast of China.

Commenting on the new XCMG booms, Jiayong Liu, general manager of ZPMC Ship and Infrastructure Equipment, said at the ceremony, that safety on the dozens of boom lifts delivered to ZPMC was strengthened with the addition of infrared light, face recognition and an anti-collision system, to meet the special requirements of large port machinery manufacturing.