Aerial work platforms like boom lifts are designed to help workers perform various construction and maintenance tasks at height with minimal safety risks or fall risks. You must have seen them on jobsites and equipment yards. However, what may have caught your attention is the position of the boom arm when the equipment is stored. It can be partially or fully elevated. Some people don’t understand why this is done; it is a regular operational practice that supports the machine’s structural integrity and workplace safety. The boom remains elevated in accordance with safety protocols and to protect the hydraulic systems. Let’s explore why a boom aerial lift is stored that way.
Hydraulic system
Keeping the boom arm elevated during storage is a mechanical decision. It helps protect hydraulic components from wear risks. As you know, an aerial lift’s hydraulic system is designed to withstand high pressure. If it is left retracted, it creates unnecessary stress on internal fittings, hoses, and seals. However, an extended boom reduces or distributes internal pressure, helping prevent damage to rubber seals and leaks. Chrome cylinder rods can also be protected from environmental damage as a result. A lowered boom and fully retracted hydraulic cylinders may expose polished chrome rods to moisture, dirt, and dust. It can increase the risk of contamination or corrosion.
At the same time, raised booms make it easier to diagnose the hydraulic system’s integrity. If parked equipment with a raised boom is seen in a noticeably lowered position the next day, it may indicate pressure loss or a leak within the system. An immediate visual inspection can reveal the actual condition.
Equipment and jobsite safety
The raised boom arm of an aerial lift can also deter theft and unauthorized use. The equipment will be clearly visible when the boom arm is raised, making it difficult for anyone to drive it away. It is easier to move around a stowed machine. On a worksite, this boom position signals that either the equipment is non-operational or out of service. This boom arm position can also indicate that other vehicles or heavy machinery should be moved carefully. To be precise, keeping the boom arm raised is a standard procedure during temporary parking. This position indicates that the machine is safely parked and that all shutdown checks have already been completed.
Other storage considerations
If a boom lift is out of service for a long period (weeks or months), several preservation steps must be taken. It is not limited to the boom position alone. The battery should be charged and then removed to avoid sulfation. It can permanently affect battery capacity. A fuel-powered model would benefit from having a fuel stabilizer. It can be added to a full tank to prevent fuel degradation from varnish deposits or gum formation. These can affect the engine’s performance. Some manufacturers require customers to drain the fuel depending on the length of the storage period. Look after the tires. They must be inflated to the proper pressure levels. Make sure to use tire covers when storing equipment outdoors to protect it from UV rays. These can damage the tire sidewalls. More precisely, long-term storage requirements include. See more
- Proper boom arm positioning
- Tire pressure check
- Battery charging and disconnection procedures
- Fuel tank drainage