Finding the right forklift telescoping jib boom attachment turns your forklift into a versatile, heavy-lifting machine. With a forklift that can act as a crane due to increased reach and strength, your work productivity is sure to increase. No more waiting around for assistance in moving a heavy load from a raised surface. With your own telescoping forklift boom, your warehouse, workshop, factory, or commercial setting is well-equipped for any heavy load moving task.
There are many booms on the market, but how do you know which is best for your needs? Let’s find out here!
Types of Telescoping Forklift Booms
Low Profile Booms
A low-profile telescoping boom is designed to work near the ground. Typically, they have at least two swivel hooks for lifting heavy items. The low-profile quality helps to ensure overextension does not occur. Low-profile telescoping booms are adequate when all you need is extra length and strength, not height.
High Rise Booms
High-rise forklift jib booms are built exactly how they sound. Their primary asset is their added height. These types of boom attachments are ideal for turning your forklift into a full-fledged crane. Many of these high-rise forklift booms have can give your forklift an additional 5 feet of height. They’re also built to give you exceptional strength and reach. This type of extension is ideal for those needing to lift and move heavy loads from high, out of reach areas.
Pivoting Booms
A pivoting forklift boom is an attachment useful when you need a jib to rotate and change its profile. Many of these jib booms can tilt almost 40°. Depending on the length, these pivoting booms have a lot in common with high-rise booms in the fact that they give great added reach and height. However, they’re not fixed at any height, giving you further versatility. This mobility in its design allows forklift drivers to pick up heavy loads from elevated surfaces while also performing the job of a low-profile boom attachment.
The Best Telescoping Forklift Jib Booms
1. Forklift Telescoping Jib Boom Crane Economaster LM-EBT-4-24 4000 LB
This wonderful piece of machinery turns your forklift right into a crane! All you need to do is insert the forks of the forklift into slips of the jib boom and attach the safety chain, and you’re good to go. This economaster jib boom comes with 4 support joints, safety chain welded to the boom, and adjustable locking screws.
Main Features:
· 4000-pound capacity
· 13.5 inches in height, 32 inches wide
· 151 -1/4 inches extended height
· 86 -1/4 inches retracted
· 333 pounds
2. High-Rise Telescopic Jib Boom Crane LM-HRT-4-24 4000 LB
The perfect attachment when needing greater height and additional reach for your forklift. The crane itself offers safety restraints, one swivel hoisting hook, and one rigid hoisting hook. Additionally, the jib boom comes with a chip-resistant finish. The inner hook as a maximum load of 4000 pounds. The outer hook as a maximum capacity of 2000 pounds. The minimum hook point is 30“and the max is 90”.
Main Features:
· 4000-pound capacity
· 80 inches high and 32 inches wide
· 90 inches extended
· 53 -7/8 inches retracted
· 875 pounds
3. Adjustable Pivoting Forklift Jib Boom Crane LM-OBT-8-24 8000 LB
The adjustable pivoting jib attachment is the perfect multi-functional attachment. It gets the job done whether you need to move something high and out of reach, or low and on the ground. This jib boom adjusts in 7-12” increments horizontally, and it has five different elevation levels up to 37° above horizontal. It comes with a restraining chain and grab hook for attachment, swivel hooks, and ten various hook positions. At the 36” hook, the capacity is 8000 pounds. At the furthest, 145-1/4, the capacity is 2200 pounds.
Main Features:
· 8000-pound capacity
· 28/78 inches high and 32 inches wide
· 145-1/4 inches extended
· 85-1/4 inches retracted
· 622 pounds
4. Forklift Telescoping Jib Boom Crane Economaster LM-EBT-6-24 6000 LB
Another simple yet efficient and effective jib boom. Just like the previous economaster on this list, it has excellent features and is easy to set up and use. Unlike the other Economaster, this attachment has excellent reach and greater weight capacity. It comes with two hoisting hooks, 4 intermediate supports under the boom, and the welded-on safety chain has a hook to anchor the jib to the forklift. At the 36” hook position, the maximum capacity is 6000 pounds. The 144” position, the maximum reach, the weight capacity is 1800 pounds.
Main Features:
· 6000-pound capacity
· 13-1/2 inches high and 32 inches wide
· 151-1/4 inches extended
· 86-1/4 inches retracted
· 465 pounds
Why Do I Need a Telescoping Jib Boom?
A telescoping jib boom attachment gives you the ability to use your forklift in a more multi-purpose manner. These attachments give you further reach when attempting to move loads at higher, hard to reach places. Whether you need an orbital boom or a fixed telescoping boom, your forklift will have greater functionality. It can carry loads and reach heights your forklift was previously unable to cope with.
Using one of these attachments will give you an altered forklift telescoping jib boom crane. This allows you to perform heavy lifting otherwise impossible with your forklift. Depending on your needs, various attachments can handle different weights. These weight limits are called the working load limit. Be careful when lifting heavy loads near your WLL when your boom is extended. Upon extension, the WLL will be decreased significantly. Make sure to check the weight capacity when the jib boom is fully extended to find the right one for your needs.
A telescoping jib boom gives you the ability to use your forklift to lift heavy items from levels well above your forklift. Depending on your desired uses, you can find the exact telescoping jib boom for you in regards to height, extension, and capacity. As we’ve already seen types of telescoping booms and the best telescoping forklift boom, you should be ready to meet for any of your forklift needs!