JLG Industries Inc. will display a new 150-ft-tall boom lift at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2011, the biggest construction event of the year, held on March 22-26 in Las Vegas. The lift replaces an older model that was cumbersome to deploy on jobs needing high-reach access.

Model 1500SJ is the tallest self-propelled aerial work platform that can be trailered without several permits, says JLG, which is taking orders for delivery around the time of CONEXPO. ENR got a sneak preview of the machine during a JLG-sponsored tour of its Orville, Ohio, plant and proving grounds last fall.

“We are addressing a previously unmet need for customers who are looking for a 150-foot boom lift that requires only a weight permit,” says Chris Mellott, JLG vice president of sales.

JLG is the only manufacturer that offers 150-ft-tall boom lifts. The 1500SJ, built on the same chassis as JLG’s 135-ft-tall Model 1350, replaces an older, awkward model, the HAX, which required at least three road permits.

The HAX remains available, but JLG executives expect buyers needing 150-ft machines to gravitate toward the new 1500, and the company says it will price accordingly. The HAX retails for more than $500,000, while JLG expects the 1500 to fall in the $400,000 range.

JLG updates the model with new safety features, such as an LCD screen in the platform designed to inform workers on critical functions. However, it falls short of providing automatic load sensing, which helps prevent tip-overs, experts say. European machines must have a load sensor; U.S. regulations do not require it.

“We haven’t done it here yet because it’s one more thing in terms of service,” says Jeff Ford, senior marketing manager. U.S. buyers will have to toggle a two-way switch to set platform load. At the highest setting, the machine will lock out 25% of its working envelope.

Watch ENR’s exclusive video review of the 1500SJ and other new products that will be shown at CONEXPO by going to ENR.com/Video.