I would like general advice on operating a boom lift on uneven ground like slopes. I live on a hillside with about a 15-degree incline and the slope indicator on my 1980 Mark lift 62 foot boom activates when the ground is over 5 degrees incline. So for example when I am just driving the Boom up the hill side, is it better to have the basket uphill from the Boom, even though I would be driving backwards and looking over my shoulder as I'm going up the hill? I suspect that it would be better to have the basket on the uphill side in case the Boom Lift was to lose traction or start sliding down the hill, at least I would be above the Boom Lift, and not below it as it is sliding down hill. Are there any operators manuals I can get or YouTube type videos I could watch to see the safest way of handling a boom lift on uneven ground or a slope?
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Boom lift Hillside operation
- Thread starter Ronray
- Start date
Also wondering since this Boom Lift is two-wheel drive, if it would be wiser to position the driving wheels on the uphill side just to prevent the entire thing from flipping over? I have had that unfortunate experience on a tractor in the past LOL.
hosspuller
Senior Member
Just general thoughts, I've driven a few boom lifts but not outside. They seems to drive better with the boom forward and over the drive wheels. You'll still want to be in harness while driving.
I bet that guy sh!t his britches!
crane operator
Senior Member
On a hill, put your drive tires uphill, with the boom pointed uphill too. That way if you start to spin, you can shoot out a little more boom to put more weight on the drive tires.
Wear your harness, even if your only 5 feet off the ground. They can tend to buck a little, and it might save your life from getting thrown out of the basket.
Wear your harness, even if your only 5 feet off the ground. They can tend to buck a little, and it might save your life from getting thrown out of the basket.
hosspuller
Senior Member
Any safety supply … Plus.. get a lanyard to connect the harness to the lift. Don't get too long... you're trying to stay IN the basket .
hosspuller
Senior Member
A better idea is being aware of the dangers of the boom. Padded rails won't protect against high voltage power lines for instance. The top roll bar idea isn't much protection if the whole unit rolls over while being a head hazard all the time.
Enjoy the manlift. It's still better than a ladder.
Thanks Hoss Any idea of a good cheap source of parts for my 1980 marklift 62 boom lift? To my knowledge the marklift parts are available through Genie and Terex. I'm having a real difficult time with my current supplier Access Platform returning phone calls and emails and canceling online orders without explaining why.
bus-junkie
Member
in the Marklift manual is states that proper operation is with the counter-weight over the drive wheels