JLG Industries is installing steel hoods on several engine-powered boomlifts, increasing durability, reducing the cost of ownership and improving long-term value.

JLG Industries, an Oshkosh Corp. company, and a leading manufacturer of aerial work platforms and telescopic material handlers, recently announced that it is installing steel hoods on several engine-powered boomlifts, beginning with the 600S, 800S and 800A models, produced after Oct. 1. The steel hoods will also be available for the aftermarket from JLG Ground Support.

“We listened to the feedback of our customers and worked with our development team to reduce the total cost of ownership and increase the longevity of our boomlifts,” said Chris Mellott, JLG Industries vice-president - sales and market development for the Americas. “The upgrade to steel hoods adds a unique design element to our industry-leading engine-powered boomlifts and we are proud to offer these improvements to our customers.”

Featuring increased durability, the steel hoods will reduce the cost of ownership and provide improved long-term value. The painted hoods will maintain their color over time, improving aesthetics throughout the life of the equipment. Easier to repair than previously available hoods, the steel hoods will help rental companies achieve their financial goals by enabling them to make repairs in-house. The robust nature of these hoods provide additional protection from weld sprawls and other damaging elements adding to the hood’s low cost of ownership by keeping maintenance costs down.

Factory approved retrofit kits will be available for engine-powered boomlifts built prior to Oct. 4, 2010. The retrofit kits consist of a complete steel hood assembly package, including mounting weldments and hardware, along with detailed instructions to guide customers through the installation process.

The following products will have retrofit kits available: 800 Series telescopic boomlift, 860 Series telescopic boomlift, 800 Series articulating boomlift and 740 Series articulating boomlift. Retrofit kits will also be available shortly for the 600 Series telescopic boomlift.