Rent an Articulating Boom Lift

When obstacles need to be bridged, awkward areas reached, or working heights beyond 20 metres required, the articulating boom lift (ATB) is the tool of choice. Luibl Rental & Sales rents articulating boom lifts with working heights from 10 to over 48 metres – available with electric, diesel and hybrid drive, delivered by our own low-loader throughout Switzerland and Europe-wide. How the articulating boom lift differs from scissor, telescopic and mast lifts is explained in the overview Rent a lifting platform; all designs in the fleet are listed under rent aerial work platforms.

An articulating boom lift combines two principles: the jointed knuckle boom with a telescoping boom for additional reach. The result is the so-called up-and-over effect: the work platform is first raised vertically, then tipped over an obstacle, and finally extended telescopically – positioned precisely at the target location. This makes the ATB the first choice for pipework, building overhangs, industrial racking, or structures that telescopic boom lifts or scissor lifts simply cannot get past.

Telescopic boom lifts operate with a linear boom and are ideal for large, straight-line reach on open ground. Articulating boom lifts are the right choice as soon as obstacles are in the way or the work area must be approached from the side. They can reach the same working point from different angles – a clear advantage for facade work or in confined industrial halls. For purely vertical work on level ground, renting scissor lifts is often the more cost-effective alternative.

Luibl Rental relies on equipment from Genie, JLG, Manitou, Magni and Niftylift. The rental fleet covers working heights from 10 to 48.15 metres and platform capacities from 200 to 450 kg.

Electric Articulating Boom Lifts for Indoor Applications

Electric platforms operate with zero local emissions and low noise – ideal for factories, logistics centres or public buildings. Non-marking tyres protect sensitive floors. Typical models: Manitou 120 AETJ-C 3D (11.95 m), Manitou 200 ATJ e (20.00 m), Genie Z40/23N RJ (14.32 m).

Diesel Articulating Boom Lifts for Difficult Terrain

Diesel models with 4x4 all-wheel drive and oscillating axle handle gradients of up to 45% and difficult ground conditions. Typical models: Manitou 160 ATJ (16.02 m), Genie ZX-135/70 (43.15 m), JLG 1500AJP (48.15 m, 450 kg platform capacity).

Hybrid Articulating Boom Lifts for Flexible Use

Hybrid models combine electric and diesel drive – usable indoors and outdoors without conversion. Typical models: Niftylift HR 21 Hybrid (20.80 m), Niftylift HR 28 Hybrid (28.00 m), Genie Z60/37FE (20.16 m).

With an articulating boom lift, working height alone tells you little. What matters is the interplay of working height, side reach and permissible platform capacity. The table shows a selection from our rental fleet – from the compact indoor machine to the largest articulating boom lift in our fleet.

How to read the values:

• Working height is the platform height plus 2 metres – i.e. the height at which a person standing in the platform works.
• Side reach is the maximum outreach according to the manufacturer. It is usually not achieved at full height; what counts for your working point is the outreach diagram of the respective model.
• Platform capacity covers everything in the platform: persons, tools and material combined.

Within the same height class, the machines differ considerably. At around 20 metres working height, side reach ranges from 11.15 m (Genie Z60/37FE) to 13.00 m (Niftylift HR 21 Hybrid). If you need to lift more than 250 kg, you will end up with the Genie Z45FE (300 kg), the Niftylift HR 28 Hybrid (280 kg) or the JLG 1500AJP (450 kg).

The articulating boom lift has the advantage whenever the machine cannot be positioned directly below the working point. Typical scenarios:

Facades and Building Envelope

Canopies, balconies, bay windows or planting in front of the building prevent a lift from moving straight up to the facade. The articulated boom reaches over these obstacles and brings the platform close to the wall – for facade installation, window connections, sealing, cleaning or refurbishment. Where scaffolding does not pay off for short sections of work, the articulating boom lift is often the faster and more economical solution.

Plant Engineering and Industry

In production halls, pipe racks, cable trays, ventilation ducts and machinery stand close together. What counts here is that the platform can be guided over and between plant components. Electric and hybrid models work locally emission-free, and non-marking tyres protect the hall floor – important for maintenance, conversion and installation work during ongoing operations.

Steel, Hall and Stadium Construction

When installing roof girders, grandstand structures or lighting and sound equipment, great working heights meet lateral offset. On unpaved construction sites, diesel models with all-wheel drive take over; on finished hall floors, the electric or hybrid version does the job.

Maintenance and Facility Management

Inspection, cleaning and repair of roofs, gutters, lighting and building services often take place in courtyards or at narrow access routes. This is where compact electric machines from 10.89 m working height play to their strengths.

Events and Trade Fairs

For setting up and dismantling rigging, lighting and stage technology in halls, quiet electric models with zero local emissions are the usual choice.

A typical industrial scenario shows how the selection works in practice. It is an example of deployment planning, not an individual customer case.

The starting point: Brackets and insulation are to be replaced on a pipe rack at a height of 14 metres. The pipe rack runs above a traffic aisle, with plant components to the left and right. The machine can only be set up with a lateral offset of around seven metres. Two people work with hand tools, and the hall remains in operation.

The selection in four steps:

1. Height: 14 m working point plus a reserve – so machines from around 16 m working height come into question.
2. Side reach: A good seven metres of offset at 14 m height rules out the compact indoor machines. Whether a model can cover that distance at this height is only shown by its outreach diagram – the maximum outreach usually does not apply at full height.
3. Platform capacity: Two people with tools need a platform capacity well above 200 kg.
4. Environment: A hall in ongoing operation – so electric or hybrid with non-marking tyres.

The result: An electric articulating boom lift of the 17 m class such as the Manitou 170 AETJ-L (16.90 m working height, 9.43 m side reach, 230 kg platform capacity) comes into question; with more reserve in height and offset, the Manitou 200 ATJ e (20.00 m, 11.57 m). If heavy components also have to go into the platform, the choice shifts to a model with a higher platform capacity. The Genie Z45FE carries 300 kg, but at 6.94 m it does not reach far enough to the side – in that case the set-up position has to move closer to the pipe rack, or a larger machine is needed.

Clarified before delivery: Access route and clearance height, load-bearing capacity of the hall floor at the set-up position and cordoning off the work area. With this information you receive a quote that fits the task – not just the working height.

Luibl Rental operates its own low-loader transport fleet. This means: no dependency on third-party carriers, direct coordination of delivery date and set-up location, on-time delivery to your site. Transporting articulating boom lifts with dead weights of up to 21 tonnes requires specialised equipment – that's standard practice at Luibl. Whether short-term or long-term rental – delivery is available throughout Switzerland and across large parts of Europe. Over 200 locations in our network ensure regional availability.

Operating aerial work platforms requires proof of competence under VUV Art. 8. The operator must be trained, both theoretically and practically, in the handling of the specific unit. All Luibl equipment leaves the depot after a recurring inspection in accordance with VUV and is supplied with complete technical documentation. On request, we can put you in touch with training partners for operator certification.

Contact our team for a personalised quote: by phone at +49 (0) 851 756868-0 or via our contact form. We'll advise you on the right platform for your application and provide you with the rental price and delivery date – binding and without detours.