If you want to hire or buy a boom lift, then you may have to decide whether to buy a model that comes with outriggers. Not all boom lifts need outriggers, but they are useful in certain situations. How do outriggers work, and why might you need them? What Are Boom Lift Outriggers? Outriggers don't have anything to do with the way a boom lift works. They don't influence its reach, height or configuration.