Over the past decade, telehandlers, also known as rough terrain variable reach lift trucks, have surpassed the popularity of powered mobile machinery. These machinery have become the gem of the construction business and with excellent reason. These kinds of machines are really strong, useful and versatile. Since some manufacturers and units has exploded over the past 5 years or so, there are presently a few of these machinery 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 vertical mast type of forklift and a telehandler literally ends on sight and on operation. There are several other significant differences between the two machines discussed below.
A telehandler has a completely different appearance because it is fitted with a horizontal boom rather than a vertical mast. From a distance, a telehandler with a jib attachment could resemble more of a mobile crane rather than a lift truck. The boom is able to telescope or retract and extend to lengths of 30 feet and beyond which depends on the specific model. The boom could also elevate to an angle from horizontal to approximately 70 degrees. Telehandlers have been referred to as "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 which are outfitted 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 One of the key advantages of this function is that it enables the forks to be withdrawn from a cargo cleanly or with no snags and the forks can be inserted under cleanly, regardless of the boom angle.
The construction industry have been revolutionized by zoom booms. They could perform numerous kinds of tasks that used to take much more time and man-power to complete.