Straight Boom or Articulating Boom? Here’s How to Choose Without Guessing

So you need a boom lift. Easy, right?
Until someone asks:

“Do you want a straight boom or an articulating boom?”

Cue the blank stare.

They both lift people. They both go up high. They both look like robotic arms from a Transformers movie. So what’s the difference—and how do you pick the right one?

Let’s make it simple.

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🏗️ First: What Are They?

🔹 Straight Boom (Telescopic Boom)

A straight boom is like a giant extendable selfie stick.
It reaches far in one straight line, like a sniper rifle for height.

Best for:

• Max horizontal reach

• Big open job sites

• Fast up/down movement

🔸 Articulating Boom (Knuckle Boom)

An articulating boom bends like an elbow. Or two. Or three.
It goes up, over, around, and between obstacles.

Best for:

• Tight spaces

• Work around or behind objects

• Complex environments (trees, pipes, roofs)

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📊 Quick Comparison

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🏞️ Real Job Site Scenarios

📦 Warehouse Light Fixture Install

• High ceiling

• Open floor
  ✅ Straight boom wins: get up fast, no obstacles.

🏗️ Construction Site with Scaffolding Everywhere

• Need to get over rebar and beams
  ✅ Articulating boom threads the needle and gets the job done.

🌳 Tree Trimming

• Need to reach over and into dense canopy
  ✅ You guessed it—articulating boom.

🛠️ Stadium Roof Repair

• Wide open space, very high point of access
  ✅ Straight boom shines with its insane outreach.

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📐 Numbers That Matter

Some straight booms (like the Genie SX-135 XC) can extend over 90 feet horizontally and reach 180 ft up.

Articulating booms usually cap out at 75-85 ft platform height, but make up for it with amazing flexibility.

The message?

Straight boom = long game
Articulating boom = smart angles

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🔋 Power & Terrain

Both types come in:

• Diesel (great for outdoors, longer runtime)

• Electric (ideal for indoors, quiet, zero-emission)

But articulating booms are often favored indoors or in hybrid-use facilities, where compactness and maneuverability are king.

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💰 What About Cost?

Generally:

• Straight booms cost more (longer reach = higher price tag)

• Articulating booms are more affordable, especially for mid-height indoor work

But always base your decision on:

• The height you need

• The obstacles in your way

• The surface you’re working on

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🧠 Still Not Sure?

Ask yourself these questions:

• Do I need to go around or go through?

• Is there a lot of stuff in the way (pipes, beams, trees)?

• Am I working indoors, outdoors, or both?

• Do I need to go way out horizontally?

If you answer “yes” to tight spaces or obstacles → Articulating boom
If you just need height and distance → Straight boom

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🏁 Final Verdict

It’s not about which boom lift is “better.”
It’s about which boom lift is better for your job.

• Straight boom = reach farther, faster

• Articulating boom = move smarter, bend better

Choose the one that fits your worksite—not just your toolbox.

Because when you’re 60 feet in the air, with a wrench in hand and a deadline on your back, you’ll be glad you picked the right arm to lift you up.