09 · Heavy Equipment

Manlift

Also called Man lift · Z-lift · Straight boom · Telescopic boom · Snorkel · Genie lift · JCB manlift

A self-propelled lift that carries one or two workers to height on a boom, for work no ladder or scaffold can reach.

Engine or electric (varies by unit)

Sizes & models we rent

45 ft straight boomTelescopic boom 48 ft JCB Z-liftArticulating boom — up and over obstacles 60 ft Genie Z-liftArticulating boom 60 ft Snorkel straight boom, dieselTelescopic boom, diesel engine 65 ft JCB straight boomTelescopic boom — more horizontal reach for its height 80 ft straight boomTelescopic boom 85 ft Snorkel straight boomThe tallest lift we rent

Selected model

Manlift · 60 ft Snorkel straight boom, diesel

Telescopic boom, diesel engine

Goes with this model

HARNESS, SAFTEY

View the 60 ft Snorkel straight boom, diesel in the catalogue ↗Compare →

Overview

A manlift raises workers in a platform on the end of a boom. We rent them from 48 ft up to 85 ft, in two shapes.

Z-lifts (also called articulating or knuckle booms) fold at a joint partway along the arm. That lets the platform go up, then out and over an obstacle — a roof edge, a parked vehicle, a wall — and work in tighter yards.

Straight booms (telescopic) extend in a single line. For the same machine height they reach further horizontally, and they are quicker to position on open ground.

Both are driven from the platform, so a worker positions themselves without coming down. Ask what the customer needs to reach, what is in the way, and what the ground is like.

Catalogue specifications · 60 ft Snorkel straight boom, diesel

Best uses

Working at height where a ladder or scaffold will not do
Reaching up and over a roof edge, wall or parked vehicle (Z-lift)
Long horizontal reach from one parking spot (straight boom)
Building maintenance, painting and exterior cleaning
Utility, sign and light work

Not suited for

Lifting several workers with bulky materials — a scissor lift gives far more platform space
Soft or badly sloped ground unless the unit is rated for it

Troubleshooting

Find a symptom

Nothing moves from the platform controls

Checks to try, in order

Press and hold the foot switch (enable pedal) while using the controls.
Pull out the emergency stop at both the platform and the ground controls.
Turn the base key switch to PLATFORM.
Check for a tilt or overload alarm — the lift locks out until it is level or the load comes off.

Reference draft — always follow the manufacturer’s manual.

Link to this fixDid this solve the problem?

Will not drive, or crawls, with the boom raised

Checks to try, in order

Most manlifts cut or slow driving once the boom leaves the stowed position. That is by design.
Lower and stow the boom before driving any distance.
On rough ground, check the machine is not sitting on a slope past its rating.

Reference draft — always follow the manufacturer’s manual.

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Tilt alarm sounds and the boom stops

Checks to try, in order

Lower the boom and move the machine to level ground.
Check the tyres and that no wheel has dropped into a hole or soft spot.

Reference draft — always follow the manufacturer’s manual.

Link to this fixDid this solve the problem?

Safety

Wear a full-body harness with the lanyard clipped to the platform anchor point, not to the rail of a nearby structure.
Stay at least 10 ft from overhead power lines, and further for high voltage.
Do not operate above the manufacturer wind rating — booms at height catch a lot of wind.
Never climb on the platform rails to gain extra height.