Genie S-45 Telescopic Boom Lift: Specs, Price and Buying Guide

Last updated: October 2026

The Genie S-45 is a 45 ft telescopic boom lift with a 51 ft working height, 36 ft 8 in of horizontal outreach and a 500 lb platform capacity. At about 7 ft 6 in wide and 15,300 lb, it is one of the most compact and easy-to-haul straight booms in its class, and it is one of the most common used telescopic boom lifts on the market. Genie has since replaced it with the S-45 XC.

This guide covers the S-45 specs and features, how it compares to the S-45 XC and the JLG 460SJ, what it costs used, and what to check before you buy one.

In this guide:

• Genie S-45 specs
• Key features
• How it compares
• Pros and cons
• Common uses
• Genie S-45 price
• What to check before buying used
• Operating video
• FAQs

Specs are from Genie product data for the S-45. Figures can vary by model year, engine and options, so check the serial plate and operator manual on any machine you are considering.

Long reach for its size. The straight telescoping boom reaches 36 ft 8 in out from the turntable, so crews can work over setbacks, canopies and landscaping without moving the machine.

Compact and easy to haul. At about 7 ft 6 in wide and 27 ft 10 in long, the S-45 fits on a standard trailer and through narrower site access than most 60 ft class booms.

Below-ground reach. The boom reaches 4 ft 11 in below grade for work on loading docks, retaining walls and excavations.

Rough terrain drive. Four-wheel drive, an oscillating axle and foam-filled tires let the S-45 work on unimproved job sites.

Drive at full height. The machine can be driven with the boom raised at a reduced speed, which saves time when working along a building face.

Engine choice. Most units have a Deutz diesel. Many were also built with the Ford gas/LPG dual-fuel option.

The S-45 is most often compared with its replacement, the Genie S-45 XC, and with the JLG 460SJ, a 46 ft telescopic boom with a jib.

The S-45 XC adds Genie Xtra Capacity: it carries up to 1,000 lb in restricted mode and 660 lb across the full envelope, but it is wider and heavier. Choose the S-45 if you want the lowest purchase price and an easy machine to haul; choose the XC if your crews carry heavier materials. The JLG 460SJ adds a jib and a little more height and reach. See our JLG 460SJ guide and JLG 400S guide, or step up to the Genie S-65 for 71 ft of working height.

Price ranges are the middle half of asking prices on FleetNow in October 2026. S-45 XC and JLG 460SJ figures are from samples of current listings.

• Low used prices and a large supply of machines
• Compact width and light weight make it easy to transport
• Good outreach for a 45 ft class boom
• Simple, well-documented machine that most rental and service techs know well
• Parts are widely available from Genie and aftermarket suppliers

• 500 lb capacity limits crews and materials compared with the S-45 XC
• Most units have no jib, so precise positioning around obstacles is harder than on jib-equipped booms
• Many used units are former rental machines with high hours
• Older units may have engines that do not meet current Tier 4 Final emissions rules

• Construction: steel erection, framing, roofing, siding and window installation
• Building maintenance: painting, caulking, gutter work, lighting and sign installation
• Electrical and utility work: lighting, cameras, conduit and overhead lines
• Industrial facilities: maintenance on piping, conveyors, tanks and high-bay structures
• Tree care and landscaping: trimming and pruning where the boom can reach over obstacles
• Events: lighting, rigging and banner installation at outdoor venues

FleetNow had about 175 used Genie S-45 lifts listed in October 2026. Asking prices ran from $17,900 to $69,900, with a median of about $30,500. The middle half of listings asked between $28,000 and $31,400. More than two-thirds of the listings were 2018 models, and the middle half of listings showed about 2,500 to 3,600 hours.

The S-45 has been replaced in the new-equipment lineup by the S-45 XC. A new 2026 S-45 XC was listed by a dealer at $105,850. See current listings for the Genie S-45 XC.

Price depends on hours, condition, engine type, service history and whether the machine has had a recent annual inspection. Units at the top of a range are often refurbished or low-hour machines.

• Hours on the meter, plus service and annual inspection records
• Boom sections and wear pads for wear, scoring and proper adjustment
• Boom drift: raise and extend the boom, then watch for it creeping down or retracting
• Lift and extend cylinders, hoses and fittings for leaks
• Turntable bearing and rotation for play, grinding or uneven movement
• Platform rotation and leveling, and the load-sensing system
• Four-wheel drive, oscillating axle, brakes and steering
• Tires for cuts, chunking and uneven wear
• Engine starts easily, with no smoke, leaks or warning codes
• Safety systems: the tilt alarm, emergency stop, auxiliary lowering and foot switch all work
• Platform controls, gate and guardrails are in good shape, and decals and the manual are on board

Ask the seller for photos of the hour meter and serial plate, and test every function at full height before you buy. Sellers can document a machine with the FleetNow Inspect app.

This walk-through from a rental company shows the basic controls of a Genie S-45. It is a helpful overview, but it does not replace operator training and familiarization on the specific machine.

FleetNow lists used Genie S-45 lifts and other Genie telescopic boom lifts from dealers and owners across the country. Need a different size? Compare the Genie S-40, S-60 and S-65, browse JLG telescopic boom lifts such as the JLG 460SJ and JLG 400S, or see all Genie boom lifts.

Questions about a listing? Contact the FleetNow team or call 1-216-973-5124. Selling a machine? List your equipment on FleetNow.