Snorkel Lift Financing

Forty feet of working height on a rough terrain machine billing at $1,200 a week covers the note. That's the math Snorkel buyers run when they're looking at the TB60 telescopic or the S3219E electric scissor, and most of the time it works. Snorkel has been manufacturing aerial lifts since the 1960s and the current product line, built in Newton, Kansas, covers electric scissors through 60-foot telescopic booms in a range that fits mid-size rental operations and contractor fleets that don't need the deepest catalog in the market.

Snorkel International, rebranded after its acquisition by Ahern Rentals parent entities, operates manufacturing in Newton, Kansas and maintains distribution across North America and in international markets. The current generation of Snorkel equipment, including the S-series electric scissors and the A and TB boom series, represents a significant engineering refresh compared to older production. Used Snorkel from the mid-2010s and newer is the most common financing request we see; the units hold serviceable value and the secondary market is active.

We finance Snorkel lifts starting at $50,000. For most Snorkel models, that means two to three units in a single transaction. Single units at the larger model price points (TB60 in particular) clear the floor on their own. Application-only approval to around $400,000, three months of bank statements, funding in about two weeks.

The Snorkel S3219E electric scissor delivers 19 feet of working height with a platform capacity of 800 pounds. It's a slab-rated drive class machine used in commercial interiors, light industrial maintenance, and facility access work. The S3219E competes in the same segment as the Genie GS-1930 and Skyjack SJIII 3219; the spec comparison is close enough that buyers often choose on price or local parts availability.

The Snorkel S4726E is an electric scissor with 47-foot working height and a wider platform designed for jobs that need more height and more deck space than a standard 26-foot scissor provides. This model sees use in high-bay warehouses, large industrial maintenance environments, and steel construction where platform width matters for material handling at height.

Snorkel's boom lift line includes the Snorkel A46JE electric articulating boom at 46 feet, which is an indoor/outdoor unit running on electric drive for slab and compact-surface environments. For outdoor telescopic reach, the Snorkel TB60 telescopic boom pushes to 60 feet and runs diesel for outdoor construction sites. The TB60 is Snorkel's most financeable single unit at the sticker prices it trades for, and it's a common request from general contractors doing steel and precast work on mid-size commercial projects.

New Snorkel equipment has improved in quality across the current generation. The dealer network, while smaller than JLG's or Genie's, is sufficient in most major U.S. markets to support warranty service. New units come with full OEM certification and Snorkel's telematics options for fleet tracking. For a buyer building a new fleet who wants the lowest maintenance exposure and the simplest documentation, new makes sense even at the higher acquisition cost.

Used Snorkel is where most of the financing volume sits. Snorkel electric scissors from 2016 and newer are well-regarded for condition when coming off rental cycles, and prices are competitive. A used S3219E in good hours can be acquired for substantially less than new, and on used aerial lift financing, the rate isn't penalized for the unit's age as long as it's within our ten-year window.

For buyers who already own Snorkel units, aerial lift refinancing is available if the units were financed at a higher rate or if business growth has improved the creditworthiness of the operation. Cash-out on paid-off Snorkel equipment is also an option when equity exists and the operator needs working capital. Our cash-out refinance program works on Snorkel units with documented value.

Snorkel went through bankruptcy and ownership changes. Is that a problem for financing?

The current Snorkel entity under Ahern ownership is stable and producing active equipment with parts support. Historical ownership changes don't affect financing of current equipment any more than they affect any other brand. Lenders finance the machine and the buyer, not the OEM's corporate history.

Can I finance a used Snorkel TB60 bought off an auction site?

Yes. Online auction purchases qualify the same as in-person auction buys. We need the bill of sale, unit details, and a basic condition report. The title transfer process needs to be clean before funding, which typically adds a few days to the timeline compared to a dealer purchase.

I'm adding Snorkel scissors to a fleet that's mostly JLG. Does the brand mix affect anything?

The brand mix on your fleet doesn't affect the Snorkel deal. We look at each unit (or group of units) on its own merits. Cross-collateralizing the Snorkel units against existing JLG equipment is sometimes possible on larger fleet transactions, but it isn't required.

Can the Snorkel A46JE articulating boom qualify as an electric unit for indoor use certification?

The A46JE runs on electric drive and is rated for indoor use. It carries ANSI and CSA certifications for the applicable standards. That certification status is what matters for indoor jobsite access permits, not the brand name. We fund it as a standard electric boom lift.

What's the typical residual value on a Snorkel TB60 at the end of a 60-month term?

Residual value varies with market conditions and machine hours, but a TB60 at 60 months with reasonable utilization typically retains meaningful value. If you're considering a lease with a residual rather than a loan, the structure you choose at origination determines whether you owe a buyout or have automatic ownership at the end.