How to Choose the Right Boom Lift Size

Get the Size Right Before You Book

Choosing the right boom lift size is the single most important decision when renting. Too small and you can't safely reach the work; too large and you've paid for capacity you don't need and may struggle to position the machine on a tight site. This guide walks through the four things that actually decide the right size — working height, outreach, platform capacity, and access — so you book the correct machine the first time.

Step 1: Understand Working Height vs Platform Height

This is where most people get tripped up. Boom lifts are advertised by working height, but that's not how high the basket floor goes.

• Platform height — how high the floor of the basket actually rises.
• Working height — the platform height plus roughly 2 metres, representing the reach of an average person standing in the basket.

So a machine advertised as "16 metre" has a platform height of about 14 metres. When you plan, always work from the height of the task and add your safety margin to the working height figure.

Step 2: Measure the Real Height of the Job

Identify the highest point you genuinely need to reach and measure (or estimate carefully) its height from the ground the machine will stand on — not from a different level. A few tips:

• Count building floors at roughly 3–3.5 metres per storey as a quick estimate.
• Remember the machine sits on the ground, so measure from that surface, accounting for any slope or kerb.
• Add the height of anything you'll be installing or carrying above the basket rail.

Step 3: Add a Safety Margin — and Round Up

Never plan to work at a boom lift's absolute maximum. At full extension you lose outreach, the platform is least stable, and you have no margin for uneven ground or repositioning. The rule of thumb: choose a machine whose working height comfortably exceeds your target, then round up to the next available size. The small difference in rental cost is almost always cheaper than a wasted mobilisation when an undersized lift can't quite reach.

Step 4: Check Horizontal Outreach

Height isn't the only dimension. If the machine can't park directly beneath the work, you also need enough horizontal outreach to extend across to it. Open sites with long reaches favour a telescopic boom; obstructed sites where you must reach up and over favour an articulated boom. Our telescopic vs articulated guide explains which suits your access.

Step 5: Confirm Platform Capacity

Every boom lift has a maximum platform (basket) capacity — typically around 227–230kg across our fleet. That figure must cover the combined weight of all workers, their tools, and any materials lifted in the basket. If you need two workers plus equipment at height, confirm the capacity before booking rather than discovering the limit on site.

Our Fleet at a Glance

Here's how our four diesel 4x4 boom lifts map to typical jobs:

• 16 Meter Telescopic — working height 16.09m, platform 14.09m, capacity 227kg. Ideal for warehouses, low-rise maintenance, and signage.
• 20 Meter Articulated — working height 20.47m, platform 18.47m, capacity 230kg. For obstructed access and up-and-over work at medium height.
• 22 Meter Telescopic — working height 22.02m, platform 20.02m, capacity 230kg. Our most popular mid-rise unit for facades and structures.
• 26 Meter Articulated — working height 26.38m, platform 24.38m, capacity 227kg. For high-rise facade, MEP, and maintenance with obstacle access.

Quick Reference: Which Size for Which Job?

• Up to ~14m to the work → 16 meter telescopic
• ~14m–18m, with obstacles → 20 meter articulated
• ~18m–20m on open ground → 22 meter telescopic
• ~20m–24m, high-rise or over obstacles → 26 meter articulated

These are starting points, not rules — outreach, ground conditions, and what's in the way all shift the answer. When you're ready to rent, our long-term rates apply for projects over 21 days, and trained operators are available on any machine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between working height and platform height?

Platform height is how high the floor of the basket goes. Working height is the platform height plus roughly 2 metres for an average person's reach while standing in the basket. Boom lifts are usually marketed by working height, so to find the platform height, subtract about 2 metres from the quoted figure.

What size boom lift do I need?

Measure the height of the highest point you need to reach, then choose a boom lift whose working height comfortably exceeds it. For most jobs, add a safety margin so you are not working at the machine's absolute limit. A 16m lift suits low-rise work, while 22m–26m units are for mid-rise facades and structures. Call +971 55 692 9829 with your target height for a recommendation.

Should I round up or down when choosing a boom lift size?

Round up. Working at the very top of a boom lift's range reduces outreach and leaves no margin for uneven ground or repositioning. Choosing the next size up gives safer, more flexible access and usually saves time on site, which offsets the modest difference in rental rate.

Does platform capacity matter when choosing a size?

Yes. Each boom lift has a maximum platform (basket) capacity — typically around 227–230kg on our fleet. You must account for the combined weight of all workers, tools, and materials in the basket. If two workers plus equipment are needed at height, confirm the capacity covers it before booking.