What might be necessary to lift a longer boom off the ground?

Lifting a longer boom off the ground often requires additional counterweights to ensure stability during the operation. A longer boom extends the reach of the crane, which places more leverage and load on the stabilizing structure. Without sufficient counterweight, the crane could become unbalanced and potentially tip over, posing a safety risk.

Counterweights are strategically placed on a crane to counteract the weight of the load being lifted and to maintain a low center of gravity. When dealing with longer booms, the forces exerted on the crane increase, necessitating the use of additional counterweights to compensate for the increased leverage and to maintain the crane’s stability during operation.

The other options, while they might contribute to the lifting operation in their own contexts, do not specifically address the inherent stability requirements that come from extending the boom length. For example, while extra manpower could assist in operation, it doesn't enhance the mechanical balance of the crane. Longer cables are not necessarily required for a longer boom, as the existing cables should be sufficient if properly rated. Similarly, switching to a different crane model may not address the issue of stability without ensuring it also has the adequate counterweight design for such operations.