16–18 m lift: which to choose for construction, façades and halls

A 16 m cherry picker (aerial work platform, MEWP) has its platform at about 14 m and reaches the façade of a 4–5 storey building, the roof of a hall 14–15 m high and lighting columns. An 18 m lift (platform at about 16 m) serves halls 16–18 m high and buildings of 5–6 storeys. Which type to choose:

• For construction and façade work: a diesel 4×4 articulating boom lift, 16 m (Manitou 160 ATJ, JLG 450AJ SII, Haulotte HA16 PX/HA16 RTJ, Genie Z-45/25J RT) or 18 m (JLG 510AJ).
• For work straight on with a crew and materials: a 15–18 m diesel scissor lift (JLG 4394RT, Genie GS-4390 RT/GS-5390 RT, Haulotte H15SX/H18SX).
• For a hall without exhaust fumes: a 15 m electric articulating boom lift (Manitou 150 AET2, Haulotte HA15 IP).

Below are the models in our fleet, their reach and weights, and what to check before you order.

What is a 16 m lift enough for, and what is an 18 m lift enough for?

• 16 m (platform at about 14 m): façades and roofs of 4–5 storey buildings, halls 14–15 m high, street lamps and masts up to 12–13 m, trees, advertising signs, installing air conditioning and photovoltaics on roofs.
• 18 m (platform at about 16 m): halls 16–18 m high, buildings of 5–6 storeys, tall roof structures, silos and lower grain elevators, churches and sports halls.

Height is calculated to the work point plus a margin for the hands (about 2 m above the platform floor). When the building has 7 or more storeys or the hall is higher than 18 m, you need a 20–28 m lift.

16–18 m articulating boom lift: reaching over obstacles

Diesel articulating boom lifts with 4×4 drive: the platform reaches over a trench, scaffolding, a fence or parked cars:

• Manitou 160 ATJ — 16 m, horizontal outreach 8.3 m, capacity 230 kg, weight 6.2 t.
• JLG 450AJ SII — 15.7 m, outreach 7.5 m, capacity 230 kg, weight 7.4 t.
• Haulotte HA16 PX — 16 m, outreach 9.2 m, capacity 230 kg, weight 7.0 t.
• Haulotte HA16 RTJ — 16 m, outreach 8.3 m, weight 6.1 t.
• Genie Z-45/25J RT — 15.9 m, outreach 7.5 m, capacity 227 kg, weight 6.5 t.
• JLG 510AJ — 17.8 m, outreach 9.5 m, capacity 230 kg, weight 7.65 t — when 16 m is not enough.
• Haulotte HA18 SPX / HA18 PX — 17.2 m, outreach 10.6 m, capacity 230 kg, weight 7.7–8.05 t.
• Genie Z-51/30J RT — 17.6 m, outreach 9.4 m, capacity 227 kg, weight 7.4 t.

Horizontal outreach is measured from the place where the machine will actually stand to the work point; how to read it is shown in the article how to read the load and reach chart.

15–18 m scissor lift: a crew and materials straight on

Diesel rough terrain scissor lifts have a large platform and a capacity of several hundred kilograms, but they must drive up to the work point:

• JLG 4394RT — 15.1 m, capacity 680 kg, platform 3.81×2.18 m, weight 7.1 t.
• Genie GS-4390 RT — 15 m, capacity 680 kg, platform 3.98×1.83 m, weight 7.3 t.
• Haulotte H15SX — 15 m, capacity 500 kg, platform 4.0×1.9 m, weight 6.3 t.
• Genie GS-5390 RT — 18 m, capacity 680 kg, platform 3.98×1.83 m, weight 8.1 t.
• Haulotte H18SX — 18 m, capacity 500 kg, platform 4.0×1.89 m, weight 7.3 t.

16 m lift for a hall: without exhaust fumes

Electric articulating boom lifts of 15 m work over racking, production lines and conveyors, on non-marking tyres:

• Manitou 150 AET2: outreach 8.9 m, capacity 230 kg, weight 7.1 t.
• Manitou 150 AETJ-C: outreach 7.6 m, capacity 200 kg, weight 6.7 t.
• Haulotte HA15 IP: outreach 8.65 m, capacity 230 kg, weight 7.2 t.

Higher, up to 20.4 m, the JLG M600JP bi-energy reaches (outreach 13.5 m). Electric scissor lifts in the standard class end at 14.2–14.3 m (JLG 4069LE, Genie GS-4069 DC). We describe that class in the article 12 m lift.

Telescopic boom lift or telehandler at 16–18 m?

When you need a long, straight reach (for example across the roof of a lower annexe), you use a telescopic boom lift:

• Genie S-45: 15.7 m, outreach 11.2 m.
• JLG 460SJ: 16.1 m, outreach 12.7 m.

To hand up pallets, boards and structural elements at 14–18 m you use a telehandler (Manitou MT 1440/1740, MT 1840 Privilege, JCB 540-180; capacity 4,000 kg). People go up in the lift, materials in the telehandler.

What should you check before ordering?

• Ground and weight — 6–8 t on wheels: firm ground, an industrial floor; on block paving and floor slabs you need mats and a load capacity check (how much does a lift weigh).
• Parking position — an articulating boom lift of 16–18 m is 2.26–2.35 m wide and 6.6–7.7 m long; it needs room for the turret to slew.
• Wind and power lines — the limit from the machine manual, and safe distances from power lines.
• Qualifications — a certificate from the Office of Technical Inspection (UDT) for the operator and a safety harness in the platform; alternatively rental with an operator.

Tell us the height, the obstacles between the machine and the wall, the ground and the duration of the work, and we will choose the model, arrange delivery and collect the machine after the work. How an order works: lift rental step by step.

Frequently asked questions

What is a 16 m lift enough for, and what is an 18 m lift enough for?

A 16 m lift has its platform at about 14 m: it reaches the façade of a 4–5 storey building, the roof of a hall 14–15 m high and lighting columns. An 18 m lift (platform at about 16 m) serves halls 16–18 m high, 5–6 storey buildings and tall roof structures. Working height is platform height plus about 2 m of arm reach.

Which 16 m lift should I use for construction and façade work?

Most often a 16 m diesel articulating boom lift with 4×4 drive. Its horizontal outreach of 7.5–9.2 m lets you reach over a trench, scaffolding or parked cars. In our fleet these are:

• Manitou 160 ATJ.
• JLG 450AJ SII.
• Haulotte HA16 PX.
• Haulotte HA16 RTJ.
• Genie Z-45/25J RT.

When you can drive up straight to the work point and need to carry a lot of material, use a 15 m diesel scissor lift with a platform up to 4 m long and a capacity of 500–680 kg:

• JLG 4394RT.
• Genie GS-4390 RT.
• Haulotte H15SX.

Which 18 m lift should I use?

For work over obstacles, use a diesel articulating boom lift:

• JLG 510AJ: 17.8 m, outreach 9.5 m.
• Haulotte HA18 SPX and HA18 PX: 17.2 m, outreach 10.6 m.
• Genie Z-51/30J RT: 17.6 m, outreach 9.4 m.

For work straight on with a crew and materials, use an 18 m diesel scissor lift (capacity 500–680 kg):

• Genie GS-5390 RT.
• Haulotte H18SX.

When a long, straight reach matters, use a telescopic boom lift:

• JLG 460SJ: 16.1 m, outreach 12.7 m.
• Genie S-45: 15.7 m, outreach 11.2 m.

To hand up material at 17–18 m, use a Manitou MT 1840 Privilege or JCB 540-180 telehandler (4,000 kg).

Which 15–16 m lift should I use in a hall, without exhaust fumes?

A 15 m electric articulating boom lift (horizontal outreach 7.6–8.9 m, platform capacity 200–230 kg) works over racking, machinery and conveyors. In our fleet these are:

• Manitou 150 AET2.
• Manitou 150 AETJ-C.
• Haulotte HA15 IP.

The JLG M600JP in the bi-energy version (electric in a hall, diesel in the yard) reaches 20.4 m. Electric scissor lifts in the standard class end at 14.2–14.3 m (JLG 4069LE, Genie GS-4069 DC), and higher, at 22.5 m, only the PB S225-12ES reaches.

How much does a 16–18 m lift weigh?

The weight depends on the type:

• Diesel articulating boom lifts of 16 m: 6.1–7.4 t.
• JLG 510AJ (17.8 m): 7.65 t.
• Diesel scissor lifts of 15–18 m: 6.3–8.1 t.
• Electric articulating boom lifts of 15 m: 6.7–7.2 t.

These are machines for firm ground or an industrial floor. On block paving and floor slabs you need to check the load capacity and place mats under the wheels.