During the last ten years, telehandlers, also referred to as rough terrain variable reach lift trucks, have surpassed the reputation of powered mobile equipment. These machinery have become the gem of the construction industry and with good reason. These machines are practical, versatile and really powerful. As the number of manufacturers and models has exploded during the past 5 years or so, there are currently a number of these machinery readily offered on the market.
The Telehandler is considered a Class 7 Powered Industrial Truck. In name only, this description means it is a rough terrain lift truck. Any of the similarities between a telehandler and a vertical mast type forklift literally ends on sight and on operation. There are some other major differences between the two equipment discussed below.
A telehandler has a completely different appearance as it is outfitted with a horizontal boom rather than a vertical mast. From a distance, a telehandler with a jib attachment can look more like a mobile crane instead of a lift truck. The boom is able to telescope or extend and retract to lengths of 30 feet and beyond which depends on the specific unit. The boom is also able to elevate to an angle from horizontal to roughly 70 degrees. Telehandlers have been called "zoom booms" due to their ability to telescope. This name has become rather famous with the operators.
"Transaction" is another optional boom related function. Telehandlers which are outfitted with this alternative have a boom which is mounted on the chassis in such a way that when the operator activates it, the entire boom to travel forward and back, particularly for distances up to eight feet or so. Among the main benefits of this function is that it allows the forks to be withdrawn from a cargo with no snags or cleanly and the forks could be inserted underneath cleanly, regardless of the boom angle.
The construction industry have been revolutionized by zoom booms. They could perform numerous tasks which used to take much more man-power and time to finish.