Buying into the cranes hoists aerial lifts space often comes down to a basic question: do you need the machine that lifts, or the reference that keeps the machine safe on the job? That's the fork in the road when you're weighing a $7.10 AEM Aerial Work Platform Safety Manual against a $3,100 2017 Genie GR-20 electric vertical mast lift. One is a printed guide for an aerial work platform; the other is a used, working lift with 308 hours on it. They aren't substitutes, but if you only have budget for one aerial-lift purchase, this head-to-head helps you decide which makes sense first.
Quick verdict
If your crew already has a compatible aerial work platform and you need the OEM-spec safety reference, the AEM manual is the logical low-cost buy. If you need an actual electric vertical mast lift that can put a person 20 feet in the air, the Genie GR-20 is the work-ready choice-and it comes with an added administrative and handling fee to factor in. Neither is a wrong answer; they just solve different problems.
Price and feature comparison
| Feature | AEM Safety Manual | 2017 Genie GR-20 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7.10 | $3,100.00 |
| Condition | New | Used |
| Product type | Safety manual | Electric vertical mast lift |
| Key details | 0.2 lb, 9" x 6" x 1" | 308 hours, $197 admin fee |
Where each product wins
The AEM safety manual wins on cost and portability. It's a lightweight reference that fits in a job box or a truck glove box. The Genie GR-20 wins on capability: it's an electric vertical mast lift, so it's an actual piece of equipment that can position a worker at height. The manual can't lift anything; the lift can. But the lift also requires a used-equipment mindset: prior runtime, a fee, and a guarantee from the auction company.
Product notes
AEM Aerial Work Platform Safety Manual 31221167
The AEM manual is a safety publication built to OEM specifications for JLG aerial work platforms, so if you're looking for the correct reference for a particular JLG machine, it's designed to fit that need without guesswork. It's a new printed manual weighing 0.2 lb and measuring 9" x 6" x 1", which makes it easy to keep on hand at any maintenance or training location. It's an inexpensive way to put a safety reference in the hands of operators or service staff. The limitation is exactly what you'd expect: it's a manual, not a lift. It won't carry anyone up or move materials, and it's not a substitute for a working aerial work platform. It's a supporting document for a machine you either already own or are buying separately.
2017 Genie GR-20 20' Electric Vertical Mast Lift Aerial Work Platform bidadoo
The Genie GR-20 is a used electric vertical mast lift that reaches a 20-foot platform height, and the listing shows 308 hours of runtime. It comes from bidadoo, and the auction company attaches a 100% Guarantee and a "Verified Condition" status, which gives a used-equipment buyer some baseline reassurance. The transaction also includes an administrative and handling fee, so the out-of-pocket total is higher than the headline number. For a shop that needs an actual lift to put a person up safely, the GR-20 offers vertical reach without the extension covers of a larger boom lift. The limitation is that it's a used machine, so it comes with the normal caveats of prior ownership: you're relying on the condition report and the guarantee rather than a new-unused machine. If you just need documentation, this is far more than you need to spend.
Final choice by use case
For a safety program or a crew that already has a compatible JLG aerial work platform, the AEM manual is the clear pick. It's a new, OEM-spec reference that won't strain any budget. For a company that needs a working vertical mast lift and can absorb the used-equipment process, the 2017 Genie GR-20 is the meaningful purchase. Choose the manual when you're filling a gap in documentation; choose the lift when you're filling a gap in equipment.
