Buyer Guide

Aerial Lifts Buyer Guide

Aerial lifts, encompassing boom lifts, scissor lifts, and vertical mast platforms, provide secure elevated access for personnel, tools, and materials across rough terrain and smooth slab surfaces. They are staple acquisitions for commercial general contractors, mechanical and electrical trades, industrial maintenance operations, and equipment rental companies.

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Fast facts

Used pricing typically spans $8,000 to $25,000 for slab electric scissors and $35,000 to $140,000+ for 40-to-85-foot rough-terrain telescopic and articulating booms.
Operating weights range from 3,000 lbs for compact 19-foot electric scissors up to 45,000+ lbs for 120-foot-plus ultra-class boom lifts.
Engineered service life spans 7,000 to 10,000 operating hours, highly dependent on structural fatigue cycles and hydraulic cleanliness.
Powerplants consist of 24V/48V deep-cycle battery banks, bi-energy dual-fuel systems, and 24 to 74 hp diesel engines burning 1.0 to 3.0 gallons per hour.
Popular factory options include secondary guarding systems, onboard 120V AC generators, non-marking foam-filled tires, and pipe racks or material trays.
Core uses include structural steel erection, cladding installation, interior mechanical rough-ins, utility maintenance, and industrial facility repair.

What to look for

1Inspect the boom extension wear pads and verify internal power track (cable/hose carrier) tension and alignment.
2Check all hydraulic cylinders for scoring, chrome flaking, and check-valve drift when supporting a loaded basket at height.
3Examine the turntable rotation bearing and drive pinion for gear lash, missing teeth, and missing or loose ring gear bolts.
4Review platform structural welds, railings, and kickplates for unauthorized modifications, drill holes, or stress fractures.
5Test dual control functionality, ensuring ground controls override basket controls and auxiliary power/emergency lowering operates seamlessly.
6Inspect tires for bead separation, chunking, or uneven diameters on foam-filled units, which strains 4WD torque hubs.
7Check drive wheel planetary hubs for leaking gear lube and listen for grinding or mechanical binding under sharp counter-rotations.
8Cross-reference the physical hour meter against ECM telematics logs to spot replaced meters or harness bypasses.
9Audit the mandatory annual inspection decal and logbook in the weather-proof manual canister to verify ANSI A92/CSA compliance within the last 13 months.
10Evaluate electric units for battery terminal corrosion, sulfation, swollen cases, and charger cycle faults.

Best makes & models

JLG

450AJ, 600S, 800AJ, 1930ES

JLG dominates North American job sites due to class-leading outreach envelopes, resilient engineering, and an unmatched distribution and parts supply network.

Genie

S-65, Z-45/25, GS-1930, GS-3246

Genie is renowned for smooth proportional controls, dependable hydraulic systems, and outstanding resale demand across rental and contractor markets.

Skyjack

SJIII 3219, SJIII 4632, SJ46AJ, SJ66T

Skyjack scissors and booms are favored for their straightforward color-coded relay logic wiring, ease of troubleshooting, and low total cost of maintenance.

Haulotte

HA46 RTJ, Compact 2632 E, Star 20

Haulotte delivers innovative safety features such as the Activ'Shield secondary guarding and modular platform designs that resist jobsite abuse.

Models with known issues

Commonly-reported issues from operators and technicians. Every machine varies — always inspect before you buy.

Genie Z-45/25 RT (Early Tier 4 Interim models, approx. 2011-2013)

Early diesel emissions adaptations suffered from frequent DPF regeneration failures and sensor communication errors before systems were refined.

JLG Early E-Series Electric Booms (E400/E450 models from 2002-2006)

Technicians report persistent motor controller card failures and wiring harness brittleness that can be costly and labor-intensive to diagnose.

Skyjack SJ6832 RT Dual-Fuel (Mid-2000s)

Common industry feedback points to finicky fuel-switching regulators and carburetor gumming, leading to stalling while tracking over grades on LP gas.

Frequently asked questions

What is considered high hours on a used aerial lift?

For engine-driven rough-terrain booms, 4,000 to 5,000 hours represents mid-life, while anything past 7,000 hours approaches major overhaul territory; electric slab scissors typically manage 2,500 to 3,500 hours before major component replacement.

What should I budget for a dependable 45-foot to 60-foot rough-terrain boom lift?

Expect to invest between $45,000 and $75,000 for a well-maintained, 5-to-9-year-old diesel articulating or telescopic boom with clean maintenance records.

Can I finance an aerial lift older than 10 years?

Yes, though lenders typically require larger down payments (15% to 25%) and shorter terms (24 to 36 months) for units exceeding a decade in service.

How are aerial lifts transported, and what does hauling cost?

Scissors and mid-size 45-foot booms travel on standard lowboy or rollback trailers, whereas 80-foot and larger booms demand heavy lowboy transport and wide-load permits, averaging $4 to $7 per loaded mile plus fuel surcharges.

Do used aerial lifts come with warranties?

Private party sales are strictly as-is, but certified equipment dealers typically provide 30-to-90-day powertrain and hydraulic warranties on late-model units.

Which aerial lifts offer the strongest resale value?

Standard 19-foot electric slab scissors (like the Genie GS-1930 and Skyjack SJ3219) and 45-to-60-foot rough-terrain diesel booms from JLG and Genie hold value best due to massive, perpetual rental and contractor demand.