Yes John, you will note the lifting point is on the main boom and not under the cage so you cannot extend the unit with the same weight on the end with the resultant problems ! - this is the same for TL's both old and new they can be used as a crane but only with a 'known ladder length' i.e. using the 'lifting eye' at the end of the main boom - as far as I was trained you should not however attempt to lift anything with a more traditional 'folding boom' hydraulic platform - although I have seen it being requested and been asked to by 'inexperienced officers' ! thats the beauty of being a 'special' operator you can tell them 'no'!
Added by John Johnstone on 13 May 2009.