What's the best boom lift in New Zealand?

Picking a boom lift means matching machine capabilities to the work you do. If you're pruning native trees on a slope, maintaining a multi-storey building, or working inside a warehouse, each job demands different reach, stability and access features.

This guide compares the main types of boom lifts available in New Zealand: telescopic (straight), articulating (knuckle), trailer-mounted and spider lifts. You’ll discover which type best suits your terrain and job requirements, with a closer look at how Leguan spider lifts from Avant Equipment NZ handle New Zealand's unique conditions.

Telescopic booms: maximum reach on firm ground

A telescopic boom extends in a straight line. It delivers maximum horizontal outreach and works well on flat, prepared surfaces such as concrete slabs or graded gravel. Most models use wheeled chassis and rely on counterweights for stability.

The problem is flexibility. If you need to reach over a roof or tuck under an overhang, a telescopic boom won't help. Wheels also require a firm ground. Even 4WD models with 45% gradeability ratings struggle when the surface softens. On wet grass or muddy fill, wheels sink or spin, and manual outrigger setup with blocking or ground protection mats takes five to ten minutes on uneven ground.

Articulating booms: better positioning, same ground requirements

An articulating (knuckle type) boom pivots from the base. This lets operators access areas behind parapets, under eaves or between structures.

But most articulating booms still run on a wheeled chassis. That means the same requirement for firm, stable ground and the same manual blocking during setup. The advantage is manoeuvrability: many models have zero tail swing and a smaller footprint than telescopic booms, making them better for confined sites with solid surfaces

Trailer-mounted boom lifts

Trailer-mounted boom lifts, commonly known as Cherry Pickers, offer portability and lower hire costs. However, they require a towing vehicle for positioning and repositioning, which limits their usefulness on sites where you need to move frequently between work areas. 

Their smaller platforms and lower weight capacities also make them better suited to light maintenance work rather than heavy construction tasks.

Spider lifts: compact, self-propelled, personnel lifts

Spider lifts mount their booms on tracked chassis with hydraulic outriggers, distributing weight evenly across soft or uneven ground. This makes them ideal for sites where wheeled lifts would sink or lose traction — such as landscaped areas, lawns, or steep driveways.

Their (usually) compact size allows access through narrow gates or doorways, and many models offer bi-fuel or electric power options for indoor and outdoor work. However, most brands balance all-terrain use with indoor compatibility, so their smaller track widths and limited ground clearance can reduce performance on steep or muddy terrain.

Where Leguan spider lifts fit

Unlike many compact tracked lifts designed for both indoor and outdoor use, Leguan lifts have all-terrain capability due to their larger tracks, higher ground clearance, and low centre of gravity. These give them genuine off-road traction and stability on steep or wet ground.

The single joystick control and automatic outrigger levelling make setup nearly four times faster than typical manual systems, reducing downtime between tasks. For operators working on New Zealand’s slopes and soft soils, these details make a noticeable difference in safety and productivity.

Three Leguan spider lift models are available through Avant Equipment NZ:

• Leguan 195: 19.7 m working height, 9.9 m side reach. Reaches full height in 55 seconds. Compact 5.29 m transport length fits single-axle trailers.
• Leguan 225: 22.5 m working height, 11.2 m side reach. Suits commercial tree work and two-storey building maintenance.
• Leguan 265: 26.5 m working height, 13.6 m side reach. Extends to full height in 1 minute 35 seconds. Handles large natives and multi-storey facades.

All the models include automatic outrigger levelling, shielded booms, dual power (21 hp Kubota diesel + 230 V electric), 250 kg platform capacity, and 45% gradeability.

Check our range of Leguan spider lifts and learn more about their specifications and features.

Matching the machine to the work

Tree care

Spider lifts are often the best option for working on soft, uneven, or sloped ground. Their tracks provide grip on wet hillsides and lawns, and their outriggers stabilise safely on rough terrain. Leguan spider lifts, for instance, are designed with wider tracks and quick automatic levelling to handle these conditions efficiently.

Building maintenance

Articulating booms excel on flat, hard surfaces such as car parks or paved courtyards, where precise side reach is needed to access windows, signage, or rooflines. On sloped or uneven footpaths, tracked spider lifts — like Leguan’s compact models — can set up faster and maintain a stable working position without manual blocking.

Construction sites

Telescopic and articulating models perform best on compacted fill or concrete slabs where maximum outreach and stability are critical. Spider lifts are a good alternative when ground conditions are softer or access is restricted. Leguan’s models are known for combining this versatility with strong lifting capacity and high ground clearance.

Confined sites

Narrow spider and articulating models can access tight spaces that wheeled telescopic lifts cannot. Many spider lifts offer dual power options (diesel or electric) for indoor and outdoor work. Leguan spider lifts feature both, allowing operation inside warehouses or outdoors on rougher terrain. 

Pro tip: Always match the lift type to your ground conditions first — then consider height, outreach, and power requirements.

Comparing key features

The table below shows how the three boom types compare.

Choosing your machine

Choosing the right boom lift starts with your terrain and access needs. Telescopic and articulating models excel on flat, prepared surfaces, while spider lifts handle soft or sloped ground with greater stability.

For New Zealand’s uniquely varied job sites, Leguan spider lifts extend those benefits even further — offering faster setup, steeper terrain handling, and true all-terrain performance.

Want to learn more about Leguan spider boom lifts? Download the brochure for full specifications.