Subscribe To Aerial Pros

Genie boom lifts count with a series of built-in performance features intended to get people safely to aerial work spaces, keep them safe while they complete the aerial work and safely get them back down. 

These features, such as platform load sensing and dynamic terrain sensing are incorporated into the design of articulated and telescopic boom lifts worldwide, complying with ISO standards, which incorporate requirements from the European EN280 standard. 

Load Sense
Genie articulated (Z®) and telescopic (S®) booms are equipped with platform load sense following the EN280, the European industry standard in effect since 2001. 

Also known as an overload system or load sense system, the platform load sense system assesses the weight of operators and equipment in the work platform and will only allow machine operation if the total load is within the rated capacity of  the boom.  

Equipment with a load sensing system will monitor the weight in the work platform and disable functionality if the boom’s rated capacity is exceeded. 

Essentially, it means that the machine will only allow operators to move and place loads that are within the rated capacity of the boom’s platform. 

What happens with the boom’s platform is overloaded? 

• The engine will shut down 
• An audible alarm will sound 
• An indicator light on the control panel will begin flashing 

It is important to know that all excess weight must be removed from the boom’s platform before normal function can resume. 

Here’s a quick summary and a couple of situations to be aware of that could activate the platform overload system: 

• First, too much weight in the basket before it leaves the ground.  
• And second, adding weight to the basket once it is in the air working.  
  • Everything — including number of people in the basket, their clothing and personal gear, as well as tools and jobsite materials — contributes to the weight in the platform. 

Again, it is important to know that everything will be counted in the platform load sense calculations as it compares the platform’s capacity to the machine’s load chart. 

What can operators do to prevent overloading the platform? Understand the weight of the load being placed in the platform before operation — and on the platform during operation. 

Dynamic Terrain Sensing
Genie boom lifts are also equipped with a chassis angle sensor, which measures the angle, or tilt, of the machine’s chassis during operation. Although tilt alarms have been used in the industry before, Genie boom lifts equipped with the new chassis angle sensor will respond differently than previous models.  

Here’s how: With this sensor, if the machine is on a slope, and it reaches — or exceeds — the boom’s rated tilt angle, an alarm will sound to alert the operator. This audible alarm means that the machine has reached its tilt sensor activation setting — or, in other words, the boom lift has exceeded its tilt angle. 

At this point, the machine will automatically restrict certain functions, requiring that the operator safely return the machine to a ground slope that is within the boom’s operating range. This functionality is similar to technology already used on many scissor lift models currently available in the market. 

Overall, the Load Sensing and Dynamic Terrain Sensing are intended to provide equipment owners and operators with the latest advancements in safe work at height solutions. At Genie, we continue to evaluate and manufacture our products to meet the most current industry standards globally. This is our guarantee to our customers that we will continue to provide the best safe work at height solutions possible.