Boom Lift Sizes: How to Choose the Right Height and Reach
Choosing the right boom lift hire comes down to four factors: working height, horizontal outreach, ground conditions, and operator licence. Each one shifts which machine you actually need, and getting any of them wrong usually means a wasted delivery.
Boom lifts come in two main families. A knuckle boom lift, also called an articulating boom lift, bends at one or more joints so you can reach up, over and around obstacles. That makes it the right choice for working above mezzanines, around plant equipment, or over rooflines. A straight boom lift, also called a telescopic boom lift, extends in a single line for maximum horizontal outreach and raw working height. It’s the right pick for façade work, signage, tree trimming, or any job with a clear line to the work area.
Matching boom lifts to the job
Boom lift sizes are quoted by platform height (where the operator stands) and working height (platform height plus around 2m for the operator’s reach). A 45ft knuckle boom, for example, gives roughly 13.7m platform height and 15.7m working height, with around 7m of horizontal outreach max (also the midpoint of extending upward).
Knuckle boom sizes and straight boom sizes from our hire fleet:
- 30ft to 45ft electric knuckle boom lifts handle indoor warehouse, retail fitout, and maintenance jobs. They’re quiet, emission-free, run on non-marking tyres, and fit through standard double doors.
- 34ft diesel knuckle boom
- 45ft to 60ft diesel knuckle boom lifts are built for outdoor construction, building maintenance, and signage installs. Most models in this range are rough-terrain capable.
- 60ft to 86ft diesel straight boom lifts cover façade work and industrial sites where maximum reach matters more than manoeuvring around obstacles.
- 125ft+ straight boom lifts handle high-rise façades, telecommunications, and infrastructure work. Diesel only, and dedicated transport is required.
Ground conditions decide the power source. On smooth concrete or indoor slab, an electric boom lift is the right call. Uneven ground, gravel, or mud calls for a diesel 4WD boom lift. For mixed-condition jobs a diesel knuckle boom usually covers both, since the 4WD chassis handles rough yards and the articulating arm still works inside finished structures.
When in doubt, ask before you hire
Sizing on platform height alone is where most jobs go wrong. The boom turns up, and the outreach won’t get the operator to the work area, or the footprint won’t fit through the site gate. A two-minute conversation about the actual job saves the delivery fee.
At Duralift our team sizes the machine with you before you book. We’ll talk through working height, outreach, terrain, access points, and licence requirements, then match you to the right model from the fleet. Two-hour delivery is standard across Melbourne.
Browse our boom lift hire range or call 1300 580 580 for a quick quote.
