Advanced Chassis Technology Enhances Self-Leveling Capabilities for Boom Lifts

Machines with traditional oscillating axles may struggle when the boom is raised and extended, particularly when accessing areas outside the transport position. This is because these machines are generally designed for use on firm, level ground with a grade of 5 degrees or less, which most job sites do not provide.

In such conditions, operators often face challenges in performing tasks at height, requiring them to employ additional measures to improve productivity and efficiency. These solutions include:

• Constantly repositioning the machine

• Preparing the jobsite by leveling the ground

• Using larger machines with extended reach to access areas from a more level position

• Operating multiple machines for different tasks

• Cribbing the machine on a localized platform to achieve a level surface

• Shoring up the ground or leveling stone to create a stable work surface

To address these challenges, access equipment is undergoing a major redesign. Modern machines are incorporating advanced technology and innovative features, moving beyond simple specification updates. The goal is to enhance performance on uneven or inclined terrain, ultimately boosting productivity and improving safety on job sites.

OEMs in the access equipment industry are approaching traditional machine limitations in new ways. Some are focused on enhancing machines’ reach and height capabilities, while others are advancing control system technologies to enable equipment to perform on steeper slopes.

While these improvements are valuable and serve a purpose in the market, the future of the access industry lies in developing practical technological solutions that work closer to the ground. One such innovation is the smarter chassis, which adapts to changing ground conditions and helps boost operators’ efficiency.

Emerging Technologies Focus on Ground-Level Solutions

Smarter chassis technologies enable operators to work on both undeveloped and improved surfaces, including:

• Urban areas, where operators need to get closer to buildings but face challenges due to height differences between streets

• Curbs and sidewalks

• Projects on or near bridges and overpasses

• Sites with limited space due to ongoing traffic or water obstacles

These ground-level innovations eliminate the need for costly site preparation, such as grading, and remove the necessity for cribbing, allowing machines to be used across a wider range of job sites. Additionally, they enable equipment to work closer to structures with minimal repositioning.

Variable-Tilt Technology Enables Adaptability on Changing Terrain

Recent advancements in machine chassis technology have introduced innovative ways for operators to enhance productivity on uneven surfaces. One notable development is variable-tilt technology, which allows machines to adjust their capabilities depending on the terrain or surface they are working on.

Variable-tilt technology is already being utilized in slab scissor lifts. The initial version of this technology focused on adjusting the lift height or work envelope of the machine based on the chassis tilt, assuming the machine is fully loaded.

A more advanced version of this technology goes beyond the initial approach by factoring in both the tilt and the actual load of the platform. Using a load sensing system, it calculates the maximum height to which the operator can safely raise the platform.

The system determines the permissible work envelope by monitoring the platform’s weight and the tilt of the machine through sensors. The machine then communicates with the operator via an LCD screen mounted on the platform, informing them of the safe lifting height.

The display provides the operator with key information, including:

• The side-to-side and front-to-back tilt of the machine

• The weight currently on the platform

• The platform’s current height

• The maximum height the platform can be raised to, taking these factors into account

This allows operators to make informed decisions about how much material to carry or whether they need to reposition the machine to a flatter area on the jobsite to achieve the full lift height. This technology eliminates the guesswork that typically requires operators to lower the platform and try again.

In addition to this, telehandlers and rough-terrain scissor lifts feature quick-leveling technologies. For telehandlers, this is known as “sway,” where two oscillating axles enable operators to manually level the machine, a feature called roll control.

On scissor lifts, this innovation enables automatic leveling of stowed lifts on side slopes up to 5 degrees, with the capability to drive at full height in specific conditions. This is particularly useful for operators working on the exterior of buildings that have been graded for consistent drainage slopes.

Traditional leveling methods, such as using jacks, require the operator to fully lower the machine, retract the jacks, move it to a new location, and then repeat the process—lowering the jacks, leveling the machine, and lifting the deck to the desired height. In contrast to the multiple manual adjustments required by leveling jacks, this advanced technology provides significant time savings and enhances operational efficiency.

Self-Leveling Technology for Boom Lift

As the demand for advanced technology grows, manufacturers of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) have introduced innovative features to improve how operators and equipment owners engage with these machines. A prime example is self-leveling technology for boom lifts.

This technology is designed to automatically adjust the boom lift’s chassis based on the terrain, rather than modifying the machine’s capability to adapt to the ground. The system ensures the lift remains level in all directions, even when the unit is in motion with the boom elevated.

Thanks to this feature, the machine’s control system ensures that all four wheels maintain constant contact with the ground, which enhances traction on uneven surfaces. The key advantages include:

• Operators and passengers experience greater stability during travel, reducing bouncing when moving over rough or uneven ground.

• The need for cribbing or grading the work area is significantly reduced, and the hassle of repositioning the lift to find level ground is eliminated.

Industry compliance standards also require these advancements to ensure safer and more efficient operations.

As the access industry continues to embrace new technologies aimed at improving operations, efficiency, and safety, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) must ensure that their machines meet current industry regulations. In North America, access equipment is required to comply with the revised American National Standards Institute A92 (United States) and Canadian Standards Association B354 (Canada) standards, which took effect on June 1, 2020.

For instance, these standards mandate that equipment must be equipped with load-sensing capabilities that continuously monitor the load, trigger an alarm, and halt normal operations if the machine is overloaded. Additionally, a tilt sensor system must be in place to activate an alarm and disable the boom and drive functions if the machine exceeds the maximum slope limit. This ensures that machines featuring smart chassis technology will allow operators to carry out tasks more efficiently, with less pre-planning needed.

Looking Ahead These advancements represent significant changes for the access industry—technologies that are set to revolutionize how work at height is performed, boosting both productivity and safety. As technology progresses, these innovations will reshape the way the industry operates and pave the way forward.