Some taller models have a jib near the top similar to an articulating boom lift. The person on the platform can work the lift, so there’s no need for a second worker on the ground. They need room to move, but they’re very stable. Telescoping or telescopic boom lifts, also called straight mast boom lifts or stick booms, extend out and up like telescopes instead of bending like articulating boom lifts.
Many articulating boom lifts can fit through doorways so that people can use them inside buildings. These legs can support the boom lift even on steep hills or rough terrain. People call other boom lifts “spiders” because of their bug-like legs. Some have telescoping sections, and an extra jib can extend the platform an additional 6 feet in any direction. Many models have water cannons to make firefighting easier. People and companies also use articulating boom lifts to fight fires, service overhead power or phone lines, and take care of a variety of maintenance and construction tasks.
This type of boom lift is perfect for trimming trees on rough or muddy terrain, which is why many people call it a cherry picker. They also have a tight turning radius to get into small spaces. The sections can move independently so that workers can get to hard-to-reach places. An articulating or articulated boom lift also called a knuckle boom, or an up-and-over boom has sections that bend so it can go over obstacles.
