Genie S-85 Telescopic Boom Lift Financing

Eighty-five feet puts your crew at the seventh or eighth floor without a crane and without scaffold built to the ceiling. The S-85 is where contractors stop renting and start owning because the height class is specific enough that they know exactly which jobs need it and how often it goes out. Bridge crews, heavy industrial maintenance teams, tower riggers, and contractors working on large-span roofing systems depend on this unit regularly, and a machine that bills three to five days per week builds a payback case fast.

We fund the S-85 new and used. Used units in the 2014 to 2021 range trade anywhere from $80k to $150k depending on hours, condition, and configuration. New machines run considerably higher. The deal typically falls in or above our $100k-to-$150k core funded range, which is where we see the best financing structures: strong lender appetite, competitive rates, and app-only approval to $400k so you skip the tax-return conversation entirely. Equipment loans work well for most S-85 buyers. Operating leases work for operators who want to preserve capital and cycle into a newer unit at term end.

What the S-85 Gives You at 85 Feet

The Genie S-85 is a four-wheel-drive rough-terrain telescopic boom that reaches a working height of approximately 91 feet with around 60 feet of horizontal reach at the end of the stick. The four-wheel-drive and oscillating axle configuration handles unprepared ground, gravel pads, and construction site conditions that would stop a slab-grade electric unit. This is purpose-built outdoor gear for jobs where finished floor is not an assumption.

The S-85 runs on diesel, which means no battery charge cycles to manage and full-day runtime in remote locations where power is not available. Towing the unit to the job on a standard trailer is straightforward. The machine's stowed dimensions and weight class require an appropriate trailer and tow vehicle, but it does not need the specialized transport that larger units like the S-125 or S-150 demand.

Platform capacity on the S-85 is typically 500 to 660 pounds depending on configuration and boom angle, which accommodates a two-person crew with tools. Drive-to-height functionality lets operators travel at controlled height for repositioning along bridge structures, building facades, and other long linear work surfaces. The combination of height, reach, rough-terrain mobility, and full-day diesel runtime makes the S-85 one of the most capable units in the 80- to 90-foot class without crossing into specialized transport territory.

On a fleet, the S-85 sits above the Genie S-60 in height and below the S-125. Most operators who need one also eventually want the other: the 60 handles the majority of jobs and the 85 handles the tall structures that come through the pipeline periodically. Both machines on the same lot cover a wide range of customer requests without competition between them.

Which Industries Drive S-85 Demand

Bridge inspection and maintenance is one of the core use cases. A crew working a bridge superstructure needs to reach the underside of the deck and the upper chord of the truss, which can easily run 70 to 85 feet from grade. The S-85 puts an inspector or maintenance crew at that height on most mid-span bridge structures.

Steel erection contractors on taller structural projects need access above what 60-foot equipment provides. The S-85 works structural steel bolting and connection work on buildings that push into the 7- and 8-story range. Utility and line contractors use the height class for transmission maintenance, substation work, and tower and pole projects where work surfaces are consistently in the 60- to 80-foot band.

Industrial plant maintenance is another strong market. Refineries, chemical plants, and power generation facilities have structures, vessels, and equipment that run 60 to 90 feet and require regular inspection, painting, and maintenance access. The S-85's rough-terrain capability means it operates on the gravel and compacted-earth surfaces typical of industrial plant yards. Owner-operators who have this work consistently in their pipeline know the S-85 is not a specialty item; it is a production tool.

Can I refinance the S-85 I bought outright to pull operating cash?

Yes. A cash-out refinance on a machine you own free and clear is a straightforward transaction. We lend against the current market value of the S-85 and wire the proceeds to you. The machine stays on your yard and keeps earning. There is typically no seasoning requirement and the process runs on the same timeline as a new purchase.

The S-85 I want to buy is a 2012 with 7,000 hours. Will that finance?

Older high-hours machines are fundable but the underwriting is more focused on current market value and machine condition. A 2012 S-85 with 7,000 hours has a lower market value than a 2018 unit with 3,000, and the loan amount reflects that. If the machine inspects well and the price is in line with what the market supports, we can usually get it done.

I have a job that starts in three weeks. Can this close in time?

Three weeks is workable. Most deals fund in one to two weeks from submission of a complete application. Getting the paperwork in quickly, with the bank statements and equipment details ready, is the best way to ensure the deal closes on your schedule rather than ours.

Does it matter if the S-85 is purchased from out of state?

No. Equipment can be located anywhere in the continental US and we can fund the transaction. Out-of-state deals add a small amount of complexity to the title work but do not change the approval process or the timeline in any material way.

Can I lease the S-85 and still claim depreciation for tax purposes?

Lease structures vary. A capital or finance lease (dollar-buyout lease) is treated like ownership for tax purposes and allows depreciation. An operating lease is expensed as a rental payment. Which approach benefits your situation depends on your tax position. We recommend talking to your accountant about the structure before we lock in the deal type.