During the last ten years, telehandlers, also known as rough terrain variable reach lift trucks, have exceeded the popularity of powered mobile equipment. These machines have become the gem of the construction business and with excellent reason. These types of equipment are useful, versatile and extremely powerful. As some models and manufacturers has exploded over the past 5 years or so, there are presently a number of these equipment readily offered 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 lift truck, but only in name only. Any of the similarities between a telehandler and a vertical mast type forklift literally ends on operation and on sight. There are some other significant differences between the two machines discussed below.
As apposed to a vertical mast, a telehandler has an entirely different appearance because it is made with a horizontal boom. A telehandler with a jib attachment from a distance can look more like a crane than a forklift. The boom could telescope or extend and retract to lengths of 30 feet and beyond depending on the particular unit. The boom is also able to elevate to an angle from horizontal to around 70 degrees. Telehandlers have been called "zoom booms" because of their ability to telescope. This name has become rather famous with the operators.
"Transaction" is another optional boom related function. Telehandlers that are equipped with this option have a boom which is mounted on the chassis in such a way that when the operator activates it, the whole boom to travel back and forward, particularly for distances up to eight feet or so. One of the main advantages of this function is that it allows the forks to be withdrawn from a cargo cleanly or with no snags and the forks can be inserted under cleanly, regardless of the boom angle.
Zoom booms have changed the construction business. They can perform many tasks that used to take much more time and man-power to finish.