The Difference Between Boom Lifts and Spider Lifts

When selecting aerial work equipment, many customers struggle with the question: What exactly is the difference between boom lifts and spider lifts? How should I choose?

Although both are used for aerial work, they differ significantly in size, passability, site adaptability, and application scenarios. The following concise and clear comparison will help you make the right choice quickly.

I. Differences in Appearance and Structure

Boom Lift

Large overall size,wide chassis,heavy weight.It maintains stability through its own chasssis counterweight,mostly travels on tires or tracks,and is divided into two categories:telescopic boom lifts and articulating boom lifts.

Spider Lift

Compact size and narrow body.Its biggest feature is four retractable and independently levelable outriggers,which unfold and support like spider legs.It has strong stability and low pressure on the ground.

II. Trafficability and Space Adaptability

Boom Lift

Large size, large turning radius,suitable for open outdoor sites.It is difficult to pass through standard doors,elevators,and narrow corridors.

Spider Lift

Narrow body, can easily pass through door openings, corridors, elevators, and enter indoor areas, basements, shopping malls, venues, old communities, narrow construction sites, and other areas inaccessible to ordinary boom lifts.

III. Site and Ground Adaptability

Boom Lift

More suitable for flat, hard, and open outdoor construction sites. Its use is limited on slopes, uneven ground, soft ground, and delicate indoor floors.

Spider Lift

Outriggers can be independently leveled. It can work safely on slopes, uneven ground, muddy ground, indoor floor tiles, wooden floors, and epoxy floors without damaging the ground, with wider application scenarios.

IV. Power and Environmental Performance

Boom Lift

Mainly powered by diesel or electricity, mostly used outdoors. Some models have relatively high noise and emissions.

Spider Lift

Common versions include electric, diesel, and dual-power:

• Electric: quiet, zero emissions, suitable for indoor use, hospitals, shopping malls, hotels;
• Dual-power: electricity for indoor use, diesel for outdoor use, one machine for multiple purposes.

V. Typical Application Scenarios

More suitable to choose a boom lift if:

• Large-scale outdoor projects, construction, bridge maintenance
• High-altitude, long-span, long-distance operations
• Open sites, heavy industrial scenarios

More suitable to choose a spider lift if:

• Indoor decoration, venue maintenance, chandelier installation
• Curtain wall installation, narrow construction sites, old building maintenance
• Projects with high requirements for noise, emissions, and ground protection
• Dual-use indoor and outdoor, flexible operation in multiple scenarios

VI. Summary: How to Choose Most Reasonably?

Pursuing high height, large operating range, outdoor heavy-duty → choose a boom lift.

Needing compactness and flexibility, indoor access, narrow passage, ground protection, complex terrain → choose a spider lift.