Knuckle lifts and boom lifts are some of the most common elevating work platforms (EWPs) available in the market today. Like other EWPs, their job is to make it easy for people to access elevated areas easily and safely for construction or maintenance works. Although they are very similar in their make and function, knuckle and boom lifts have a slight difference in their working that makes all the difference in their applications. Find out more below.

Max weight

Boom lifts have a singular boom that is big and strong, unlike knuckle lifts that have a set of smaller articulated arms. As such, boom lifts enjoy the function of a boom that can withstand a lot more weight as compared to knuckle lifts. This means that more people and heavier loads can be used on a boom lift as opposed to a knuckle lift. This also means that the boom lift can still hold its weight when fully extended, as opposed to a knuckle lift in the same situation.

Max height

Again, when it comes to how far both can stretch on a work site, the boom lift takes the upper hand due to the same reason explained above; a stronger and larger boom allows the boom lift to extend further up. The knuckle lift, on the other hand, is not designed to reach the highest heights. And although it does have a decent reach, it cannot compete with the boom lift.

Flexibility and manoeuvrability

When it comes to flexibility, the knuckle lift is a clear winner. This is one area where the boom lift is not endowed. The knuckle lift has a set of articulated arms as explained earlier. As such, it can assume many different positions at different heights, angles and displacements. This makes it a very flexible and useful EWP when the job at hand requires manoeuvrability. For example, if the job at hand is to paint a wall, the knuckle lift will allow the workers to move up and down, and side to side all across the wall. In other applications, such as trimming a tree or repairing a ceiling, the same lift will allow users to move forward and backwards or over and under with ease. These are all manoeuvres that allow the users to save time and to finish the task at hand quicker.

So which elevating work platform do you choose for your job? Well, if you want to carry out a specific task at a specific height, e.g. changing a bulb, the boom lift is perfect. However, if the task at hand covers a broad spectrum at elevated heights then the knuckle lift is better suited.