McConnellsburg, PA-based JLG Industries first entered the 150-ft. boom lift market 22 years ago with introduction of the 150HAX articulating boom lift. While the 150HAX's wide-stance stability enables it to be driven with the platform fully elevated, the unit measures 11’6" wide even when its axles are retracted. The overall width requires truckers to carry an over-width permit when transporting the boom lift.
In March 2011, JLG began offering its second 150-ft. boom - the 1500SJ Ultra Series telescopic lift. A significant benefit of this machine is its 8'2" width when axles are retracted, allowing it to be trucked without an over-width permit. When the axles are extended, the machine is 12’6" wide. With the jib retracted and stowed underneath the boom, it has an overall length of 43 ft. Ground clearance is 12 inches under the axle and 25 inches under the chassis. The machine weighs 48,000 pounds, so an over-weight permit is required.
Maximum horizontal outreach is 80 ft., and at 120 ft. in the air, it still has 70 ft. of horizontal outreach. The machine has a 10.3-million-cu.-ft. work envelope. Bill Dovey, product manager, said that means the machine could virtually be parked in the middle of an arena project and build the arena around itself.
Typical of many RT boom lifts on the market, the 1500SJ offers four-wheel drive and four-wheel steer. It has 40% gradeability and drive speeds up to 3 mph. Three steering modes include conventional front two-wheel, crab, and four-wheel coordinated. The oscillating axle moves 12 inches for better traction and to keep all four wheels on the ground.
The boom lift is powered by 74.9-hp, four-cylinder Deutz turbo diesel engine. The standard fuel tank has a 31-gallon capacity, with a 55-gallon tank optional. A Sauer-Danfoss two-section axial piston pump provides hydraulic flow to the closed-loop travel drive. An open-loop pressure compensator with an axial piston pump on the end of the pump assembly provides fluid flow for the boom, turntable, and steering functions. The hydraulic tank holds 52 gallons.
JLG pioneered the four-plate boom in 1979 on its Model 110F. Today, on the 1500SJ, the four-section, four-plate boom is made of 110,000-psi steel. It has heavy steel plates on the top and bottom, while thinner steel plates on the sides reduce weight. Mounted to the boom is a telescoping jib that measures 15 ft. long when retracted and 25 ft. long when extended.
On the dual-capacity platform, operators select whether the platform has 500- or 1,000-1b. capacity. With 500 lbs. of platform capacity, operators have unrestricted access throughout the entire work envelope. They can telescope the jib and go all the way up to 150 ft. With 1,000 lbs. in the basket, operators can go to 130 ft. but cannot telescope the jib.
The envelope management system keeps the platform in the allowable work envelope. In automatic mode, the lift and telescope functions are coordinated. In manual mode, the platform will stop when it reaches the edge of the allowable envelope. The operator then will need to lift up and select another function or switch back to automatic mode.
On the platform control console, an LCD panel provides a wealth of information for the operator, including reminders for the operator to wear a harness and lanyard and select the platform capacity. It also tells the fuel level and whether any fault codes are present.
The 1500SJ’s standard features include a 7,500-watt engine-driven generator, foam-filled tires, and AC power to the platform.
Options and accessories include a 250-amp Miller welder, the SkyGlazier and SkyCutter packages, JLG's ClearSky telematics system, a variety of platforms, cold weather start and hostile environment kits, and more.
Source: Lift & Access Magazine, March-April 2013
