Over the past ten years, telehandlers, also known as rough terrain variable reach forklifts, have surpassed the popularity of motorized mobile machinery. These machines have become the gem of the construction industry and with excellent reason. These kinds of equipment are very strong, useful and versatile. As some manufacturers and models has exploded over the past 5 years or so, there are now a number of these machines readily offered on the market.
The Telehandler is considered a Class 7 Powered Industrial Truck. Just in name, this description means it is a rough terrain lift truck. 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 distinctions between the two machines discussed below.
Compared to a vertical mast, a telehandler has a completely different appearance since it is designed with a horizontal boom. A telehandler with a jib attachment from a distance could look more like a crane than a forklift. The boom can telescope or extend and retract to lengths of 30 feet and beyond that depends on the specific model. The boom can also elevate to an angle from horizontal to roughly 70 degrees. Telehandlers have been called "zoom booms" due to their ability to telescope. This name has become rather popular with the operators.
One more optional boom related function is called a "Transaction". The telehandler equipped with this alternative mounted on the chassis. When the operator starts it, the boom will move forward and back for distances up to 8 feet or more. One of the main benefits of this function is that it allows the forks to be withdrawn from a cargo cleanly or with no snags and the forks can be inserted underneath cleanly, regardless of the boom angle.
The construction business have been revolutionized by zoom booms. They are able to perform many kinds of tasks that used to take much more time and man-power to do.