Everything You Need To Know about Telehanders

This blog contains information about different topics that could be useful for mechanical, electrical and electronic professionals. We look forward to contributing to the expansion of your technical knowledge.

 

The Basics of a Telehandler

A hybrid crane forklift, a telehandler can also be fitted with other attachments like a bucket, muck grab, or winch. It can also be fitted with a platform attachment to act as a boom-lift. 

The extendable boom on a telehandler can usually be elevated at a 70-degree angle and extend out as far as 30 feet or further. The max weight restriction of an individual telehandler is determined by a mix of factors including boom extension, angle, the type of attachment and wind speed. 

Telehandlers have a maximum lift capacity ranging from 4,400 to 12,000 lbs, depending on the size of the equipment. However maximum lift capability cannot be reached at maximum reach and should always be used with care.

Common Uses of Telehandlers

The telehandler is a truly versatile piece of equipment. The extendable boom and ability to use a variety of attachments gives the telehandler many different applications. 

Primarily used as a “lift and place” tool, the telehandler is seen as a more advanced forklift since it has a greater extension ability than a traditional forklift. 

It can be fitted with pallet forks, a bucket, lifting jibs, sweeper and work platforms. With so many different attachments, telehandlers can help perform jobs like lifting and moving material, moving loads of earth, cleaning worksites, lifting workers to an aerial height or even snow removal.

Choosing the Right Telehandler for the Job

Telehandler rentals listed on DOZR are organized by lift capacity and forward reach. It is important to have an understanding of the job requirements before renting a telehandler. This can direct what lift capacity and reach the telehandler should have as well as what types of attachments should be added to the rental.

Attachments for The Telehandler

Forks are the most common attachment for a telehandler as the boom allows for easy lifting of materials and cargo from the ground up to aerial heights. Compact or midsize telehandlers can be used indoors to move and transport items in warehouses or manufacturing plants. The application of a platform attachment can make it easier for warehouse workers to work at heights if a boom or scissor aerial lift isn’t an option. 

Forklift and bucket attachments are available in a variety of shapes and sizes to allow for easy scooping, loading, lifting, and moving of material from the ground to a loft or to load into a truck. These applications are helpful in both construction and agriculture. 

Telehandlers have applications for all four seasons. In the winter telehandlers can be used for snow removal. Since the machine sits very low to the ground they are great for plowing snow in parking structures. Traditional tractors or even trucks can be too big for certain areas making the telehandler a great tool or snow removal. Metal Pless is a brand of snowplows that can be used for telehandlers. 

List of Telehandler Attachments

There are a variety of attachments and accessories which can be added to a telehandler. They help to diversify the ability of the machine and help make it an efficient tool for a number of jobs. Examples of telehandler attachments include:

• Side-tilt carriage
• Material bucket
• Cubing forks
• Pallet forks
• Lumber forks
• Grapple buckets
• Work platforms
• Truss jib
• Trash hopper
• Snowplow attachment

The Lull Telehandler

The Lull telehandler was created in 1959 by Legrand “shorty” Lull in Minnesota. His company became Lull Engineering Inc in 1963, then was acquired by Stamatakis Industries before declaring bankruptcy in 1992.

At this time it was purchased and owned by a man named Badger Bazen from Johnsonville, S.C. who changed the name to Lull Industries and finally Lull International. Over the next few years the Lull name was passed around some more, joining The Harbour Group of St Louis in 1996 which made it a division of SkyTak. In 2003, after a few more company ownership shuffles, JLG acquired the Lull name and used the brand recognition to lead the way for the North American telehandler market.

Despite the many twists and turns that the Lull name has seen it grew to become a recognized brand name for a telehandler. In fact it has been used synonymously for the term “telehandler” and some people refer to the machine simply as a “lull”.

Image borrowed from Eliftruck.com.

A division of JLG, the Lull telehandler line is on its way to extinction. JLG announced in 2014 that they would cease all production of Lull telehandlers in 2015 but would continue to service Lull telehandlers beyond that time. This decision was made in response to a market decline for Lull telehandler models and increased EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) engine standards. 

The Lull models of telehandler are the Lull 644E-42, 944E-42 and 1044C-45 Series II.

The History of the Telehandler

Originally called the “telescopic forklift” the very first telehandler was created in 1977: the JCB 520 Loadall Telehandler. The 520 was a two-wheel drive machine which combined the forklift, crane and backhoe into one Frankenstein machine. The industry was blown away and it became very popular very quickly. Within a year JCB introduced a four-wheel version of the machine with a number of other attachment types.

A number of other brands began manufacturing their own telehandler machines such as CAT, JLG and Bobcat. Modern telehandlers are able to reach up to 65 feet in the air and carry more than 20,000 lbs. They are now being recognized for their diversity in manufacturing and construction. More recently telehandlers have been seen as a tool for snow removal. 

With the construction industry prioritizing project efficiency the value of the telehandler is on the rise.

Manufacturers & Models of Telehandlers

There are many different manufacturers to consider when looking to rent or buy a telehandler. Most companies make different sizes and models of telehandlers to accommodate projects of all sizes and natures. All of these, including different attachments, are available for rent on DOZR.

Caterpillar

One of the most recognized names in construction today, Caterpillar was started by Benjamin Holt in 1907 when he invented the continuous track system for machines.

When he saw how it crawled along the ground, dubbed it the caterpillar and the rest is history. The company was officially formed in 1925 and has since grown into a global corporation that leads the way for construction machines and innovation. 

Today Caterpillar has 11 different models of telehandlers, ranging from max lift heights of 18 – 54 feet. The CAT TH255C is their smallest model with a rated load capacity of 5,500 lbs and a maximum lift height of 18,37 feet.

JCB

Joseph Cyril Bamford established JCB in 1945 and has been pioneering the idea of the telehandler since 1977. Today JCB is one of the world’s top equipment manufacturers with over 2,000 dealer locations in over 150 countries. 

The original JCB telehandler – the JCB 520 Telescopic Handler – was launched by  Joseph Bamford among a blaze of glory and publicity in 1977. It took the industry by storm and lead to the development of the JCB Loadall range of products.

Within two years the company developed a two-wheel and four wheel version of the machine with a variety of attachments. Today the Loadall range continues to be one of its most successful product lines.

Bobcat

Bobcat is the transformational brand of Melroe Manufacturing Company. Edward Gideon Melroe founded the company in 1947 and in 1962 took on the design of the Melroe Bobcat skid steer.

The skid steer gained such popularity that it eventually started doing business under its own name: Bobcat Company. 

Since then Bobcat has continued to deliver equipment innovation. It also started manufacturing telehandlers.

The Bobcat VersaHANDLER is a popular telehandler that offers increased lift height, reach a capacity to increase the capacity of the machine. The company then went on to develop a selection of attachments for the VersaHANDLER.

Image borrowed from White Start Machinery. 

JLG

John L Grove founded JLG in 1969 and sold their very first boom lift in the 1970s. Since then JLG has expanded into scissor lifts, trailers and even telehandlers. They now have two varieties of telehandlers: the JLG High Capacity Telehandlers and the standard JLG Telehandler. 

Their standard telehandlers all feature a Tier 4 Final engine to make the machines more fuel-efficient and better for the environment. They have lift capacities ranging from 5,500 to 12,000 lbs and can reach heights up to 55 feet. JLG designs their telehandlers with ultra-strong booms which make them notorious to reach higher and further than any other brand.

Potential Safety Hazards Telehandlers

As it is with any type of heavy machinery operation, the use of a telehandler requires training and planning to help ensure safe operation.

Never operate a telehandler without first receiving proper training. Never operate a telehandler on a Jobsite if it is not safe to do so.

There are a number of reasons, like bad weather, excessive loose materials and debris in the work area, wet or muddy terrain, or high wind speeds, which can increase the safety hazards of using a telehandler. Always follow safety procedures and take the time to plan accordingly before beginning to work with a piece of machinery. 

Practices for Safe Operation

• Always follow manufacturing guidelines and weight restrictions
• Never operate a telehandler without receiving proper training
• Always check blind spots and use general equipment operation safety practices to keep you and fellow workers safe
• Organize work projects away from ground personnel and always be aware of people working around the machine
• Always wear a seat belt
• Never lift anyone with a skid steer attachment