Genie S-65 Telescopic Boom Lift: Specs, Price and Buying Guide

Last updated: October 2026

The Genie S-65 is a 65 ft telescopic boom lift with a 71 ft working height, 56 ft 2 in of horizontal outreach and a 500 lb platform capacity. Its straight boom reaches farther out than an articulating boom of the same height, which makes it a common choice for steel erection, exterior building work and jobs where the lift has to reach over obstacles. It is one of the most common used telescopic boom lifts on the market.

This guide covers the S-65 specs and features, how it compares to the newer S-65 XC and the JLG 660SJ, what it costs used, and what to check before you buy one.

In this guide:

• Genie S-65 specs
• Key features
• How it compares
• Pros and cons
• Common uses
• Genie S-65 price
• What to check before buying used
• FAQs

Specs are from Genie product specifications for the S-65. Figures can vary by model year, engine and options, so check the serial plate and operator manual on any machine you are considering.

Long straight-boom reach. The telescoping boom puts the platform 65 ft up and up to 56 ft 2 in out from the turntable, so operators can reach over setbacks, landscaping and other obstacles without moving the machine.

Articulating jib. A 5 ft jib with a 135° vertical range and 160° of platform rotation helps place the platform precisely at the work point, for example under eaves or around beams.

Below-ground reach. The boom reaches 8 ft 11 in below grade, which is useful for work on retaining walls, loading docks and excavations.

Rough terrain drive. Four-wheel drive, foam-filled tires and 45% gradeability let the S-65 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 moving along a building face.

Transport-friendly design. With the jib tucked under, the stowed length drops to about 25 ft, and the 8 ft 2 in width fits a standard trailer.

The S-65 is most often compared with its replacement, the Genie S-65 XC, and with the JLG 660SJ, a 66 ft telescopic boom with a longer jib.

The S-65 XC adds Genie Xtra Capacity: it carries up to 1,000 lb in restricted mode and 660 lb across the full envelope, with a small trade-off in outreach and extra weight. Choose the S-65 if your crews work with one or two people and light tools; choose the XC if you need to carry heavier materials. The JLG 660SJ offers a slightly longer reach and jib. See our JLG 660SJ review for a full breakdown, or step up to the Genie S-85 for 91 ft of working height.

Price ranges are the middle half of asking prices on FleetNow in October 2026. JLG 660SJ figures are from a sample of current listings.

• Strong height and outreach for the price
• Large supply of used units, which keeps prices competitive
• Simple, well-documented machine that most rental and service techs know well
• Parts are widely available from Genie and aftermarket suppliers
• Drives at full height and handles rough terrain

• 500 lb capacity limits crews and materials compared with the S-65 XC
• 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
• Heavy at over 22,000 lb, so it needs a suitable trailer and firm ground

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

FleetNow had about 200 used Genie S-65 lifts listed in October 2026. Asking prices ran from $17,000 to about $85,000, with a median of about $38,500. The middle half of listings asked between $33,400 and $40,500. More than half of the listings were 2018 models, most with about 2,500 to 6,000 hours.

The S-65 has been replaced in the new-equipment lineup by the S-65 XC. New 2025 and 2026 S-65 XC units were listed by dealers at $124,850 to $149,900, and used 2019 S-65 XC units asked about $76,000 to $80,000. See current listings for the Genie S-65 XC and Genie S-65 TraX.

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, wear pads and the extension cable or chain system for wear and proper adjustment
• Boom drift: raise and extend the boom, then watch for it creeping down or retracting
• Lift, extend and jib cylinders, hoses and fittings for leaks
• Turntable bearing and rotation for play, grinding or uneven movement
• Jib and platform rotation, platform 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.

FleetNow lists used Genie S-65 lifts and other Genie telescopic boom lifts from dealers and owners across the country. Need a different size? Compare the Genie S-45, S-60, S-60 XC and S-85, browse JLG telescopic boom lifts such as the JLG 660SJ, 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.