In the past ten years, telehandlers, also referred to as rough terrain variable reach forklifts, have surpassed the reputation of motorized mobile equipment. These machines have become the gem of the construction business and with good reason. These machinery are versatile, extremely strong and useful. As the number of models and manufacturers has exploded over the last 5 years or so, there are now a number of these machines readily available on the market.
In technical terms, a telehandler is considered to be an ITA* Class 7 Powered Industrial Truck. This description means it is a rough terrain forklift, but just in name only. Any of the similarities between a vertical mast type of forklift and a telehandler literally ends on sight and on operation. There are some other major differences between the two equipment discussed below.
A telehandler has an entirely different appearance because it is outfitted with a horizontal boom rather than a vertical mast. From a distance, a telehandler with a jib attachment could look more like a mobile crane rather than a forklift. The boom is able to telescope or retract and extend as long as 30 feet and beyond that depends on the specific unit. The boom could also elevate to an angle from horizontal to about 70 degrees. Telehandlers have earned the nickname of "zoom booms" due to their ability to telescope. This name has become rather famous with the operators.
Another optional boom related function is known as a "Transaction". The telehandler equipped with this alternative mounted on the chassis. When the operator activates it, the boom would move forward and back for distances up to 8 feet or more. Amongst the main benefits of this function is that it enables the forks to be withdrawn from a load cleanly or with no snags and the forks could be inserted underneath cleanly, regardless of the boom angle.
Zoom booms have revolutionized the construction business. They are able to perform numerous types of jobs which used to take a lot more time and man-power to finish.