Telehandler: what it is for and how to choose one

A telehandler (telescopic handler) combines two machines in one: it lifts loads like a loader, and it reaches high and forward like a crane. The extending boom lets you deliver material where an ordinary front loader cannot go, and interchangeable attachments mean that one vehicle handles unloading, moving pallets, earthworks and lifting material to height. It is one of the most versatile tools on a building site and on a farm.

What a telehandler is really for

The most common tasks are unloading deliveries, moving pallets of material around the site and lifting it to height: onto a floor slab, scaffolding, or deep inside a hall under construction. Thanks to the extending boom the operator reaches the place of work without repositioning the machine, which speeds up the work and reduces manoeuvring in tight spaces. In agriculture the same equipment loads manure, moves bales and fills tanks. You will find the full range in this category in the section on telehandlers.

How to choose capacity and height

The starting point is two numbers: how heavy the material is, and how high (and how far) it has to be placed. The key point is that lifting capacity falls as the boom is extended: a machine that lifts several tonnes near its base will lift much less at full reach. That is why capacity is checked not at a single point but on the load and reach chart, exactly where you will actually be setting the material down. It is worth adding a margin to the working height, so that you do not work at the limit of reach.

Attachments: one machine, many tasks

The versatility of a telehandler is decided by the interchangeable attachments fitted at the end of the boom:

• Pallet forks: moving and stacking pallets of building materials.
• Bucket: loose materials, minor earthworks and tidying up.
• Hook / jib: lifting loads on a sling, for example structures and tanks.
• Work platform (certified): people working at height, only with a platform approved for the particular model.

Access, ground and licences

A telehandler is a rough terrain machine weighing several tonnes, so before it drives in you check the width of the gate and the passage, the load-bearing capacity of the ground and the place where the trailer will unload the machine. Everything to check is collected in the article how to prepare a site for a lift delivery. Operating it requires a UDT licence for industrial lift trucks with variable reach, the telehandler category (a telehandler is a specialised forklift with a boom): the machine can be rented with an operator, or you can train your own. Ask us about choosing the model and attachment: describe what has to be lifted and to what height, and we will prepare a rental quote.

Frequently asked questions

What is a telehandler used for?

A telehandler lifts and carries pallets and material to a height of a dozen or so metres, and the extending boom lets you reach forward, for example to place material on an upper floor slab or deep inside scaffolding without repositioning the machine. With interchangeable attachments (forks, bucket, hook, work platform) it replaces several machines on a building site, in a warehouse and on a farm.

How does a telehandler differ from a cherry picker (aerial work platform)?

A telehandler is above all for lifting and carrying heavy material, up and forwards. A cherry picker (aerial work platform, MEWP) is for people working at height (installation, servicing, painting) and has a larger, safe platform. If the main task is a crew working up high, choose a cherry picker; if you mainly need to get material up to height, choose a telehandler.

Can a telehandler be used to lift people?

Only with a certified work platform designed for the particular model and in compliance with the manufacturer's safety requirements. An improvised platform fitted without approval is not permitted. When the main task is people working at height, a cherry picker is usually the more suitable and more convenient choice.

What licences are needed to operate a telehandler?

A telehandler is an industrial lift truck with a boom (a specialised forklift), so operating it requires a UDT qualification certificate (UDT is the Polish Office of Technical Inspection) for industrial lift trucks with variable reach, the telehandler category. If you do not have a trained operator, you can rent the machine with an operator or use our training.

What capacity and height do the telehandlers for rental have?

Our range includes telehandlers lifting several tonnes to a height of a dozen or so metres. The specific capacity and height depend on the model, and capacity falls at maximum boom extension and at large horizontal outreach. We choose the machine for the weight and height of your material.