What are boom stops used for on machinery?

Boom stops are critical safety devices on machinery, particularly on equipment like cranes and excavators. They are specifically designed to restrict the movement of the boom in certain directions, particularly preventing it from tipping over backwards. This is vital in maintaining stability during operation and ensuring that the machine remains balanced, especially when lifting heavy loads.

By preventing excessive backward tilt of the boom, boom stops help to safeguard both the operator and the equipment itself from potentially hazardous situations that could lead to accidents or equipment failure. This function is essential for the safe operation of the machinery, where load dynamics can change rapidly with movement.

The other options do not effectively capture the primary purpose of boom stops. Enhancing lifting capacity, preventing fluid loss, or improving digging efficiency do not directly relate to the stability and safety functions provided by boom stops, which are solely focused on controlling the boom's range of motion for safe lifting and operation.