What Is a Boom Truck?
To recover heavy things or to transport supplies to places and areas that are not usually accessible, boom trucks will utilize a winch. For instance, they are normally utilized maneuvering supplies over a ditch or to a hillside or to reach the top of a building.
Larger trucks are outfitted with a boom winch that is mounted in the truck's bed. It is capable of transporting construction things and other equipment from the side of the street to a specific location. There is another boom truck configuration which is outfitted with a cherry picker. This version allows arborists to access treetops easily.
The Vehicle
Terex's Stinger BT 3063 model has a reach of 113-feet and is outfitted with both stabilizers and outriggers. A boom truck could range from an aerial work platform that is moved by a hydraulic lifting mechanism that is mounted on the bed, up to a Class 8 tractor-trailer rig with a bucket. It is also possible to have a modified boom lift made to meet the specific requirements of the buyer.
Cherry Picker
Bucket booms or cherry pickers allow employees to reach excellent heights. Typically, cherry pickers or buckets transport employees from the ground up to high areas such as the sides of buildings, treetops, up utility poles or for firefighting and fire department rescue.
Location
The platform on the boom is operated from the truck's cab by remote. Either the boom is mounted on a separate trailer or on the bed of a large truck. Booms that are bigger need outriggers that extend horizontally from the truck in order to level out and stabilize the crane in its operation.
Controls
A cab-over-engine model boom truck has a control cluster capable of moving the boom located in the cab. It is normally a panel in the boom itself on the side of the bed.