JLG Industries Inc., is installing steel hoods on several engine-powered boom lifts, beginning with the 600S, 800S and 800A models produced after Oct. 1, 2010. The steel hoods also will 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 boom lifts,” 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 boom lifts 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, according to the manufacturer.

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 spalls 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 boom lifts 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 boom lift, 860 Series telescopic boom lift, 800 Series articulating boom lift and 740 Series articulating boom lift. Retrofit kits also will be available shortly for the 600 Series telescopic boom lift.

For more information, visit www.jlg.com/steelhoods2.