Telehandlers in the past decade, is also known as variable reach rough terrain lift truck, has gained great popularity within the material handling industry. With good reason, these specific machinery have become the gem of the construction industry. These kinds of machines are useful, versatile and really powerful. Since some manufacturers and units has exploded during the last 5 years or so, there are currently a number of these machinery readily available 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 forklift, but just in name only. Any of the similarities between a vertical mast type of forklift and a telehandler literally ends on operation and on sight. There are some other major differences between the two machines discussed below.
A telehandler has a completely different appearance as it is outfitted with a horizontal boom rather than a vertical mast. From a distance, a telehandler with a jib attachment can resemble more of a mobile crane instead of a lift truck. The boom can extend and retract or telescope as long as 30 feet and beyond depending on the particular 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 famous with the operators.
Another optional boom related function is known as a "Transaction". The telehandler equipped with this option mounted on the chassis. When the operator starts it, the boom would move forward and back for distances up to 8 feet or more. One of the main advantages of this function is that it enables the forks to be withdrawn from a load with no snags or cleanly and the forks can be inserted under cleanly, regardless of the boom angle.
The construction industry have been revolutionized by zoom booms. They are able to accomplish many types of jobs which used to take a lot more man-power and time to finish.