What if I were to tell you that, with a single hybrid articulated boom, you could efficiently complete both inside and outdoor projects. This same boom can operate on one fuel tank for about a week. It is also designed to be the first machine at the jobsite and the last one to leave, generating more rental revenue and reducing paperwork and processing. And its four-wheel drive system climbs 45% grades without breaking a sweat. Would you rent or buy it?  

Genie introduced first the Genie® Z®-60 FE and then the Genie Z-45 FE midsize “Fuel-Electric” hybrid articulating boom, offering the next generation of hybrid design and technology to the market. Today, rental companies and contractors alike continue to find new ways to complete their jobs more efficiently, with lower acquisition and operating costs, and maximum performance using these advanced hybrid booms.  

Unmatched Versatility 

Setting these models apart from others on the market, the Genie Z-60 FE and Z-45 FE booms’ hybrid technology works by the engine-powered generator automatically charging the batteries when operating in “Hybrid” mode. The boom units offer similar or slightly better drive performance than their diesel-hydraulic counterparts, so for outdoor applications these four-wheel drive units can go anywhere and do any project that a diesel boom can do.   

When switching over to “Full-electric” operation, the booms’ 48V battery power offers quiet and emissions-free operation for indoor projects. Boasting an efficient drive system, these articulating booms also deliver a full day of uninterrupted operation on a single charge of the standard batteries.  

The combined engine-battery power of these hybrid booms expands the number of jobs where they can be used, maximizing revenue for the rental company. They are used on several construction and industrial applications, such as sports arenas, shopping malls and convention centers. The versatile hybrid design allows them to stay at the jobsite longer than diesel units, resulting in extended rental periods, more revenue, less paperwork processing and fewer machine rechecks. It also means not as many trips to the project site for machine delivery, but their compact size does allow for quick boom transport of up to two machines on a standard trailer. 

Offering more versatile rental opportunities the Genie Z-60 FE and Z-45 FE booms increase rental return on invested capital. Plus, the Genie brand reputation and service support helps Genie equipment hold its residual value.  

Powerful Performance 

Contractors are drawn to these midsize hybrid booms due to their go-anywhere, do-anything-diesel-units-can-do performance. Making both booms adaptable for a wide range of projects, the Genie Z-60 FE boom provides 20.16 m (65 ft 7 in) working height, 11.15 m (36 ft 7 in) horizontal outreach and 7.39 m (24 ft 3 in) up-and-over clearance. The Genie Z-45 FE boom offers 15.92 m (51 ft 8 in) working height, 6.94 m (22 ft 9 in) horizontal outreach and 7.5 m (24 ft 7 in) up-an-over clearance.  
 
With their true hybrid operation allowing the generator to provide a bulk battery charge in about four hours, both hybrid booms offer dependable operation before power gets to the jobsite. Even with the engine running in hybrid mode under the most extreme circumstances, they offer more than twice the run time (about a week) than a diesel boom, even though their fuel tank is about half the size. This saves contractors significantly on fuel costs over the long term. The fully sealed AC motors deliver reliable operation, even when submerged under water. 

With the efficient four-wheel drive, the Genie Z-60 FE travels around the jobsite about 25% faster than the Genie Z-62/40 boom and climbs just as steep grades, so jobs get done faster. Boosting productivity, the Genie Z-60 FE boom features Genie’s FastMast™ system that reduces ground-to-top lifting time.  

With no sacrifice in performance or productivity, indoor and outdoor operation and ability to work a full day on a single battery charge, contractors are finding more and more uses for these Genie hybrid models. And those longer rental term contracts keep rental costs down, helping the contractor’s bottom line.