In environments where lifting equipment or materials is vital to the progression of a job, telehandlers are some of the most vital tools to have on hand. They are designed to save time, minimise the risk of injury and improve efficiency, even in high-traffic situations. These well-used machines are also known as telescopic handlers, teleports or boom lifts. They are similar to a forklift in design with the difference being telehandlers are able to reach significantly higher. Essentially, they move loads from point A to point B which may be harder to reach.

What jobs are they usually used for?

Telehandlers are widely used within a range of different environments, including in agriculture, distribution and construction. Their versatile design means they can be used for a wide range of lifting jobs. By choosing the right attachment, these multi-use machines can essentially be turned into lift trucks, aerial work platforms, tractors or cranes. Most modern designed are powered by hydraulics which extends the boom forwards and backwards along with changing direction.

Moving pallets from inside trailers and onto rooftops or other raised areas is one such job you’ll find assigned to telehandlers. In agriculture, they are commonly used with a bucket or bucket grab adaptor to reach into high-sided trailers or hoppers with ease. And their ability to be stabilized easily makes them ideal for use on unstable surfaces by means of an axel.

What are the different types of Telehandler?

There are 3 main types of telehandler you’ll find available on the market today.

Standard Fixed Boom Telehandler

These machines have a fixed cab and a standard telescopic boom. The cab is fixed in place and cannot be rotated from within. This type is often used in situations where heavier than normal loads are in constant movement. In addition, they are generally quite compact in design and best designed for sites where available space is limited. Many of them can be used to lift loads of between 5 and 7 tonnes while the boom itself can ordinarily reach up to 10 meters.

Rotational Telehandler

Revolutionising the construction industry, rotational telehandlers are seen more and more on modern sites. This is due to their versatile design – most cabs can be rotated a full 360°. With the telescopic boom built into this moving section, it allows the user to move on their axis without driving around on the ground. And, this gives you full access to hard-to-reach areas too.

Heavy-Lift Telehandlers

Heavy lift telehandlers do the job their name suggests – allow you to move exceptionally heavy loads to higher or awkward-to-reach places. They are an ideal choice for certain environments, specifically those within the mining industry.

If you have any further questions about telehandlers, get in touch with the Jay Bee Plant Sales team here today.