How Does the Boom Extension Affect Lifting Capacity

When a boom stretches farther out, the same load suddenly feels a lot heavier to the machine. This simple truth decides whether a job finishes safely or ends with a tipped-over lift. At YILU LIFT, every towable and crawler boom we build lives by this rule, so understanding it helps customers pick the right model and work without nasty surprises.

What Is Boom Extension in Cranes?

Boom extension is nothing mysterious. It’s just the act of pushing the telescopic sections outward to reach higher or farther. The longer the arm gets, the more it behaves like a giant lever with the heavy end far away from the pivot point.

Definition and Mechanism

Most modern booms are telescopic boxes sliding inside each other. Hydraulic rams push the sections out in stages. Each section locks with pins or bolts once it reaches the desired length. Simple, strong, reliable.

Role in YILU LIFT Boom Lifts

On our 10–24 m towable series and the 10–22 m crawler units, extension is fully hydraulic and controlled either from the basket or the ground panel. Operators can stop at any point in between – no fixed steps – which makes positioning for tree work, facade maintenance or fruit picking much smoother.

Basic Operational Principles

Think of holding a 5 kg bag of cement close to your body, easy. Now hold it at arm’s length; suddenly your arm shakes. The same happens to a boom lift. The farther the load sits from the slewing ring, the harder the whole machine has to fight gravity.

How Does Extension Reduce Lifting Capacity?

Reach and capacity always fight each other. The load chart on every YILU machine proves it: at minimum radius you can lift 300 kg on some models, at full horizontal reach the same machine might only allow 120 kg. That drop is not random.

Increased Leverage Forces

A longer arm multiplies the turning moment. Ten metres out, a 200 kg basket creates twice the overturning force compared to five metres. Steel and hydraulics have limits; exceed them and something bends or the whole unit tips.

Impact on Load Moment

Manufacturers measure safety with load moment – basically weight × distance. Our 10–24 m towable boom lifts carry a clear moment limiter. When the calculated moment gets too close to the limit, the machine slows down or stops outward movement automatically. It’s annoying until the day it saves the rig.

Examples from YILU 10–24 m Towable Boom Lift

Take the popular 20 m towable model. At 8 m horizontal reach the basket still takes 300 kg. Push to 14 m reach and the chart drops to 200 kg, then at full 16 m outreach only 120 kg is allowed. Customers doing window cleaning on high-rise buildings see this every day and plan their glass panels accordingly.

Why Is Stability Affected by Boom Extension?

Longer boom = higher centre of gravity. Higher centre of gravity = less room for error on uneven ground.

Center of Gravity Shifts

As sections slide out, the heavy steel moves away from the chassis. On flat concrete that’s manageable. On a soft orchard floor it can spell trouble fast.

Risk of Tipping Over

We’ve seen machines tip because someone ignored the slope or extended too far over the downhill side. Outriggers help, tracks help more, but physics always wins in the end.

Stabilization Features in YILU 10–22 m Crawler Boom Lift

That’s exactly why the crawler series sells so well in agricultural and hilly areas. Rubber tracks spread the weight, automatic levelling outriggers (optional on some units) sense the slope and extend farther on the low side, and the low-profile chassis keeps the centre of gravity as close to the ground as possible even at full 22 m height.

What Factors Influence Capacity Changes?

Not every boom behaves the same. Material, design and even wind play a part.

Material Strength Limits

Our booms use high-strength steel with welded hexagonal sections. Stronger steel lets us keep the weight down while still handling the bending forces at full extension.

Hydraulic System Constraints

Oil flow and pressure decide how fast and how far the boom can safely move. Double pumps on larger crawlers give smoother control when the arm is fully stretched and the load is swinging.

Environmental Considerations for YILU Auslegeraufzüge

Wind is the silent killer. At 20 m height, a gentle 6 m/s breeze already pushes hard on a big basket. That’s why every YILU towable and crawler model comes with a clear wind rating sticker – ignore it and the load chart no longer applies.

How Can Operators Maximize Safe Capacity?

Knowledge beats horsepower every time.

Proper Load Chart Usage

Every machine ships with a laminated load chart in the basket and another copy on the chassis. Ten seconds studying it before the job beats ten hours explaining an accident afterwards.

Recommended Training Practices

Spend one morning with the load chart and the controls. Try extending fully on flat ground, add a known weight, feel how the machine reacts when you slew slowly. Muscle memory is cheaper than repairs.

Benefits of Choosing YILU LIFT Models

Customers keep coming back because our charts are honest, the alarms actually work, and spare parts ship the same week. The 10–24 m towable range is light enough for a normal pickup to tow yet strong enough for serious rental fleets. The crawler units climb 35 % slopes fully loaded – something most wheeled lifts can only dream about.

Longer boom always means less capacity. Respect the chart, keep the heavy side close when you can, and the job stays safe and profitable.

FAQ

Q1: Can I lift 300 kg if the boom is fully extended on a 20 m towable lift?

A: No. At full horizontal reach most 20 m towables drop to around 120–150 kg. Check the specific load chart glued inside the basket.

Q2: My crawler boom lift beeps when I try to extend farther with a load in the basket – is it broken? 

A: Not broken, just smart. The moment limiter is doing its job. Reduce the load or bring the boom closer to the chassis and the beep stops.

Q3: Is it safe to work in wind on a long boom?

A: Only up to the rated wind speed (usually 12.5 m/s on YILU machines). Above that, even an empty basket can create enough side load to tip the unit. When in doubt, bring it down.