JLG鈥檚 8 New HC3 boom lifts prevent overloading
JLG is rolling out a new line of telescopic and articulated mobile elevating work platforms with greater reach and higher platform capacities.

The HC3 Series of telescopic and articulated boom lifts feature platform heights ranging from 40 to 86 feet. 鈥淗C鈥 stands for high capacity.

The eight models in the Hi-Capacity lineup are the company鈥檚 response to the new ANSI standards, which require mobile elevating work platforms, or MEWPs, to automatically limit operation when nearing overload. In the past, operators were responsible for not overloading the platform, but it was found that loads were often exceeding capacity, possibly becoming unsafe.

The load-sensing technology, however, prevents that, and most MEWP manufacturers are boosting platform capacity so operators won鈥檛 face machine cutoff or reduced operation.

In JLG鈥檚 case, it made its load-sensing technology automatically limit operation to the lift鈥檚 allowable capacity zone rather than cutting off the machine. JLG also made the HC3 boom lifts auto-calibrating, with no need for external weights. 鈥淭his saves time and effort, while increasing productivity,鈥 the company says.

The platforms can hold three workers and tools in three capacity zones. Each of the models has a restricted capacity zone of 750 and of 1,000 pounds. The unrestricted capacity zone ranges from 500 to 660 pounds, depending on the model.