CAT CLASS: HQ-10746

20-35 ft Towable Light Tower

The 20-35 ft towable light tower is the workhorse of temporary job-site lighting, typically deploying a 30 ft mast with metal halide or LED fixtures generating 104,000 to 172,000 lumens. This size class dominates highway work zones, utility staging yards, and night paving operations where a single unit illuminates 5,000 to 7,000 square meters. It represents the upper end of the two-band towable light tower ladder, beyond which portable applications give way to stationary or truck-mounted systems.

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Pick a size class — capacity and reach differ across the range.

Key specifications

Specification	Typical range	What it means
Mast height	7–27 ft (telescoping to class maximum)	Extended height determines coverage radius and ability to clear obstructions; most units deploy to 25–30 ft.
Total lumens	104,000–172,000 lm	Combined fixture output; higher values support larger work zones or tasks requiring higher lux levels.
Fuel tank capacity	30–117 gal	Dictates runtime between refueling; larger tanks support multi-shift or remote operations with infrequent site access.
Operating weight	400–5,000 kg (880–11,000 lb)	Includes chassis, mast, generator, and full fuel; determines tow-vehicle requirements and trailer-weight classification.
Power output	2.6–17.5 kVA	Onboard generator capacity; some units provide auxiliary power for tools or site equipment in addition to lighting loads.

How to choose

The 20-35 ft band suits applications requiring area lighting across several thousand square meters—road construction, large equipment staging, event setup, emergency response, and utility projects where a single tower replaces multiple smaller units. When coverage needs are confined to a single small work cell, driveway, or residential repair (under 2,000 m²), the Up to 20 ft Towable Light Tower offers easier handling and lower fuel consumption. This 20-35 ft class is the top rung of the towable ladder; operations requiring permanent installation, heights above 35 ft, or integration with fixed infrastructure typically move to stationary floodlight arrays or vehicle-mounted systems rather than a larger towable size.

What this size handles

Highway resurfacing and line-striping during nighttime lane closures
Utility substation construction and transformer installation in unlit yards
Commercial parking lot demolition and grading over multi-acre sites
Emergency response staging areas for wildfire, flood, or infrastructure failure
Bridge deck repair and inspection where scaffolding requires overhead illumination
Open-pit mining haul roads and loading zones operating around the clock

Safety & operation

Mast extension and retraction require clear overhead space and attention to power lines, tree canopies, and aircraft approach zones; many jurisdictions require overhead clearance surveys before deployment.
Stabilizing outriggers or ballast must be deployed on level ground to prevent tip-over during wind events; manufacturer load charts specify maximum wind speed for extended operation.
Refueling procedures require engine shutdown and ventilation; diesel spillage on hot engine components presents fire risk in dry or combustible environments.
Sound levels of 63–68 dB(A) at operator position necessitate hearing protection during maintenance and may trigger noise-ordinance compliance in residential or noise-sensitive zones.

Transport & logistics

Road-towable via pintle hitch or ball coupler by pickup trucks and service vehicles rated for 880–11,000 lb trailer loads; heavier models require ¾-ton or larger tow vehicles.
Self-contained axle and wheel assembly with DOT-compliant lighting and breakaway braking; most units meet highway speed limits without escort.
Compact footprint when stowed (mast retracted) allows storage in standard equipment yards and transport through residential streets to confined sites.

Power & supply

Integrated diesel generator (3–12 hp) powers lamps and onboard controls; no external electrical connection required for lighting operation.
Fuel consumption typically 0.6–1.8 gal/hr depending on load and ambient conditions; 30–117 gal tanks provide 17 to 195 hours of continuous runtime.
Some models include auxiliary 120/240 V outlets (up to 17.5 kVA) for powering hand tools, chargers, or small site equipment alongside the lighting array.

Frequently asked

What ground area does a 30 ft mast typically illuminate to 20 lux?

A unit producing 150,000 lumens at 30 ft mast height illuminates approximately 5,000–7,000 m² to 20 lux (construction-site standard) under clear conditions; actual coverage varies with fixture aiming, atmospheric conditions, and reflective surfaces.

Can one vehicle tow multiple 20-35 ft light towers in tandem?

Weight and hitch design generally limit single-vehicle towing to one unit; tandem towing requires dedicated transport trailers or flatbeds and may exceed local axle-weight or combination-vehicle-length regulations without special permits.

How does metal halide compare to LED in this size class?

Metal halide fixtures dominate legacy models and offer lower upfront cost; LED units consume 30–50% less fuel for equivalent lumens, generate less heat, tolerate vibration better, and eliminate warm-up/restrike delays, but carry higher acquisition cost reflected in newer inventory.

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Normalised to the same units. A dash means the figure was not published.

Model	Power output	Fuel capacity
Allmand Maxi-Lite	17.5 kVA	100.0 gal
Generac MLTB	2.6 kVA	-
Generac MLT6SMDS LED Light Tower	7.5 kVA	39.9 gal
Atlas Copco HiLight MI+ 6	-	-
Generac CTF-10	-	-
Multiquip LT-12D	-	-