Skyjack Debuts 63-Foot Articulating Boom Lift at The Rental Show

A prototype of the SJ-63AJ, the latest boom lift introduction from Skyjack, Guelph, Ontario, made its debut at The Rental Show this week in New Orleans, La. With the annual tradeshow floor opening the day after the Super Bowl, the Canadian manufacturer opted to creatively market its new 63-foot articulating boom lift for the occasion. Sharing the number 63 with one of the most memorable occasions in New Orlean’s Saints history—Tom Dempsey’s 63-yard field goal kick—Skyjack’s new unit was painted black and gold for the show, while company employees donned matching No. 63 team jerseys. The varsity font used to indicate the make and model of the unit tied together the sports theme.

The boom lift is the largest articulating machine in Skyjack’s product portfolio. While the lift’s platform height reaches 63 feet, a more impressive spec is its 40-foot outreach. According to Paul Kreutzwiser, senior product manager, the company’s goal was to engineer the boom lift with this spec. Up-and-over reach measures 27’2”.

Components common with the SJ-46AJ articulating boom lift include the Dana axle-based four-wheel drive system and operator-controlled rear differential lock. Shared features with Skyjack’s 60-foot straight boom include the engine, which is available as a Deutz four-cylinder diesel engine or GM Vortec 3.0L dual fuel engine. With serviceability in mind, the SJ-63AJ carries over the analog-based control system and standard color-coded and numbered wiring system that is standard on Skyjack's products.

The unit will feature direction-sensing drive and steer controls, which ensures the controls are always be in the orientation of the operator, regardless of turret position in relation to the chassis. Another operational aspect of the SJ-63AJ is its ability for the main boom to go from ground level to full height without the operator having to touch the riser control.

The rectangular boom geometry has an open center knuckle design that lets the boom nest inside the riser. This allows the machine to reach its full work envelope, but it also stows to 100 inches, which helps with container handling and transport. Because Skyjack manufactures all its products in North America, Kreutzwiser said it was important for the machine to fit inside a shipping container. The nested boom and jib position also provides the operator with better visibility while driving the machine with the boom is stowed.

Gross weight is a little over 21,000 pounds. At this weight, two SJ-63AJs with foam-filled tires and two generators—a common order received by rental companies—can fit on a flatbed truck.

Kreutzwiser said the production unit of the SJ-63AJ should be available in the first quarter of 2013, following prototype and validation tests that will take place through 2012.

As Skyjack continues to fill out its boom lift offerings, the company intimated that its next boom lift will be a narrow, 30-foot compact electric boom lift.

Additionally at the show, the company tweaked its logo and paint scheme. All Skyjack machines will now feature an all-white logo and darker gray paint color.