How to Squeeze 250-Ft Boom Lift into a Ballpark to Hang a Sign Above the Tallest Scoreboard

Amusement Parks and Arenas Maintenance and Repair

Case Study:

How to Squeeze a 250-Ft Boom Lift into a Ballpark to Hang a Sign Above the Tallest Scoreboard

What was the challenge?

Citi Field is a baseball stadium located in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in New York City. In spring 2023, Citi Field unveiled the largest digital scoreboard across all professional ballparks, featuring almost 30,000 sq feet of Samsung outdoor LED digital screens. Installation of the “CITI FIELD” sign above the screen was completed using giant cranes. The only remaining step was to attach the soft transparent front panel covering the lights inside the fourth letter, “I.”

Cranes were unsuitable to complete the job because the panel was soft, long, light, and pliable and flapped in the wind. Plus, someone needed to access the sign from the front side to screw the panel onto the letter box. Unfortunately, safe access to the sign was available only from its backside. No JLGs could reach up to 200 feet with a sizable side reach.

Our current client recommended Alpha Platforms to the construction team. The Alpha estimator arrived at the site within 24 hours of the call, completed the project feasibility and safety assessments, and provided the client with a quote. The work was scheduled shortly thereafter.

What was the solution?

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1
Given the height and required sidereach, Alpha Platforms assigned its second-tallest boom lift, the A-250, to this project.
2
When our professional operator drove the truck to the gate, the automated gate needed to be opened at its maximum, given the truck’s sizable dimensions. The ballpark facilities manager manually opened the gate and let the truck in.
3
The closest parking spot to the sign assigned during the estimator visit unexpectedly became unavailable.
4
Fortunately, the giant side reach of the A-250 aerial lift (up to 135 feet) allowed the operator to park farther away than originally planned. No other boom lifts in the world have a longer side reach. The lift setup and perimeter securement took 15 minutes.
5
Next, two of our clients had loaded their tools and their sign panel into our 12-foot cage and secured themselves to the basket. Our lift performed its automated "maximum weight limit check" and notified the operator that the current weight had exceeded the maximum lift capacity, which would impact the maximum lift reach.
6
The client simply swapped out their current technicians for team members with less body mass. This allowed the workers to quickly secure the signage panel in place. With this project now completed, our A-250 left shortly thereafter.
7
The specs of our state-of-the-art A-250 lift:
Details

What was the outcome?

The project took only a couple of hours to complete.

Most of the time was spent squeezing the truck through the gates, looking for an alternative parking spot, and adjusting the cage load to achieve the required height and side reach.

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Our precise German-made lifts have become the height access method of choice for those who try them, as they combine unmatched productivity, safety, and reach.
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Notable 250 Foot Boom Lift Capabilities
  • 12-foot extra large cage
  • 1,322 lbs lifting capacity for crew, equipment, and materials
  • Cage rotation 2 x 200°
  • Side reach up to 130 feet
  • Unique "under and up" or "up and over and back" access
  • Smooth controlled motions to move close to and around glass and fragile structures
  • Jib length 49’2’’

Alpha Platforms has helped hundreds of teams like yours


Customer Testimonials
from Case Studies

Carlos Honorio Jr.
Honorio Designs
Architecture,
PLLC

Great experience! First time on the 300 foot boom for a Local Law Facade Inspection. Vadim, the operator, was in complete control of the equipment and made the whole process smooth. Flagmen secured the area below and allowed my Client to operate their hotel without any disturbance. Honorio Designs Architecture, PLLC

Brian Rosado Hernández
The Telecom Company Foreman

Excellent service, arriving on time every day, responsible with the load limit, very attentive to the lubrication and controls of the crane.

Thomas Inciarte
Telecom Company Representative

Excellent team working with us, always willing to do anything for the best

Jon
The Signage Company Owner

It was a pleasure to work with Alpha Platforms, the crew was skilled and helpful, the equipment was top-notch. Our installers appreciated the security of the platform vs working off of a swing stage, it made their job easier and more efficient. From the first meeting thru to the end of the work day everything ran as smoothly as it could. We will definitely be partnering with Alpha Platforms on future projects. Thank you for your help!

Ryan Hughes

I had an emergency project on a 140' high voltage tower and needed Alpha Platforms next day. They were so helpful and expedient walking me through the entire process so I was comfortable with the deal. They showed up to my site next day and cut about 2 days off of the project due to the safety, speed and efficiency of their lift and operators. I'll never rent or hire another lift company. I would recommend Alpha platforms for all your high reach needs.

Liz Jones

Jon told me that it was a pleasure to work with Alpha Platforms, the crew was skilled and helpful, the equipment was top notch. Our installers appreciated the security of the platform vs working off of a swing stage, it made their job easier and more efficient. From first meeting thru to the end of the work day everything ran as smoothly as it could. City Sign Service, Inc. will definitely be partnering with Alpha Platforms on future projects.

Justin N.
President

That is a fine piece of equipment! And the competent, professional group that goes along with it is just the cherry on top. I really appreciate everything. I'm sure we'll be able to use Alpha again in the future as we get these opportunities. In fact, it will only help our business knowing we have a safe, reliable solution to these over 50‘ height challenges.

Byron Nivelo

We had an exceptional experience with Alpha! They are professionals, great operator team. Overall reliable, recommended will certainly return for my future needs hands down.

Nick Muhlon

My company used alpha lifts to clean a 14 floor building and they were great. Very accommodating, always on time, and will work with you to get the job done safe and sound. The lifts they provide are state of the art and can pretty much reach any low rise building under 250 feet. I’d recommend them to anyone doing window cleaning or facade cleaning, or anything king of height access work!

Mike P.
Building restoration services family business owner

We wanted to give it a try and see what this boom truck could do. We loved the idea of a wide basket that could reach up to 30 feet and get to the brick wall over the roof. The main reason we loved the truck was how it maneuvered the boom to lower the bricks inside a dumpster, which was located behind the truck. It saved us at least one extra day of work. It all went great.

Jason A.
Director of operations, family-owned regional electrical services provider

Alpha has the most efficient and leanest site setup time I’ve ever seen. My brother, who is the top climber of our group, first struggled to understand how this cage could go around the tower better than the crane - and when it did the whole 360°, he became a believer. Also, each laborer said how incredibly safe they felt - very different from the small crane basket. We were able to secure and push back the panels in place without the basket ever moving.

Joseph A.
Head stone mason, national cathedral

The project was performed successfully, and we were really glad to have contactless means of reaching the building, as we all know that pipe scaffold might damage the structure, in this case, very very sensitive.

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