JLG Industries, Inc., a global manufacturer of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and telehandlers, offers the 670SJ self-leveling boom lift for construction projects. The mobile boom lift is available in North America. Equipped with JLG’s self-leveling technology, the 670SJ is engineered to automatically adapt to terrain on slopes up to 10 degrees in any direction, while driving with full functionality at a 67-ft. platform height.
“We are extremely excited to bring this transformational innovation to market,” said Robert Messina, senior vice president of global product development and product management, JLG. “Our company was founded with the passion to provide people with a safer way to work at height by John L. Grove. In 1969, he did just that with the introduction of the world’s first boom lift, and today, more than 52-years later, we are doing it again with the launch of the JLG 670SJ self-leveling model.”
The 670SJ’s self-leveling technology is designed to adjust the boom lift’s chassis to the ground conditions — rather than having to adjust the ground conditions to the machine. This allows the 670SJ to navigate uneven terrain while driving at height from one job to the other without lowering the boom.
“Engineered with the world’s first fully integrated, self-leveling chassis, the 670SJ is a game-changer for the aerial equipment industry,” said Shashank Bhatia, vice president of engineering for MEWPS, JLG. “On the underside of the machine, you can see that it has four independent axles, each controlled by its own smart hydraulic cylinders. These enable each wheel to separately follow the contour of the terrain and stay in constant contact with the ground. This not only allows the machine to continuously and seamlessly self-level, but it does so without requiring operator inputs.”
The 670SJ also has three operating modes for transporting onsite or on the road. Self-leveling mode enables the machine to work at full height, with full functionality, on slopes up to 10 degrees. Travel mode can be used when the boom is stowed to move across the jobsite. Shipping mode allows the entire machine to be lowered once in position on a truck, reducing its travel height.
All of these features are made possible through the machine’s control system. This system continuously receives performance data from various sensors on the machine, then displays the information through a digital display and selectable screen interface in the platform during operation, allowing users to be knowledgeable about what’s going on at ground level while working at height.
“Advanced doesn’t mean complex when it comes to the 670SJ,” said Nate Hoover, director of product management and marketing for boom lifts, JLG. “While we’ve upgraded the display, the controls are similar to standard JLG booms, minimizing the learning curve.”
JLG’s self-leveling technology is capable of reducing (and in some cases even eliminating) the prep work required to level the work area.
It also eliminates the trial and effort of repositioning a boom lift to find a level work area. This helps operators get into position and up to the work area, maximize reach capabilities and reduce the need for large, high reaching lifts onsite as a backup for added reach when uneven ground conditions exist.
The JLG 670SJ self-leveling boom lift offers a 73-ft. work height and 57-ft. of horizontal reach, with 550-lb. unrestricted and 750-lb. restricted capacities. It also features JLG’s automatic, single sensor load sensing system with zero-load calibration. This functionality keeps the machine within the allowable work envelope by limiting range depending on the platform load.
“The term innovation is thrown around so frequently in today’s day and age,” said Messina. “However true, game-changing innovation that improves safety and productivity like the JLG 670SJ self-leveling boom lift are few and far between. This product represents thinking outside of the box to solve real customer pain points, combined with years of fine-tuning and discovery alongside customers to bring to market a solution that will change the way people work at height for the better.”
*Updated on April 10, 2023
