Over the past ten years, telehandlers, also known as rough terrain variable reach lift trucks, have exceeded the popularity of motorized mobile machinery. These equipment have become the gem of the construction industry and with excellent reason. These equipment are extremely powerful, practical and versatile. Because some units and manufacturers has exploded over the past 5 years or so, there are presently a few of these machines 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 lift truck, 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 significant differences between the two machines discussed below.
Compared to a vertical mast, a telehandler has an entirely different appearance as it is designed with a horizontal boom. A telehandler with a jib attachment from a distance can resemble more of a crane than a lift truck. The boom can extend and retract or telescope as long as 30 feet and beyond depending on the specific unit. The boom is also able to elevate to an angle from horizontal to about 70 degrees. Telehandlers have earned the nickname of "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 alternative have a boom that is mounted on the chassis in such a way that when the operator activates it, the whole boom to travel back and forward, specifically for distances up to eight feet or so. Among the major benefits of this function is that it allows the forks to be withdrawn from a cargo with no snags or cleanly and the forks could be inserted underneath cleanly, regardless of the boom angle.
The construction industry have been revolutionized by zoom booms. They are able to perform many tasks that used to take a lot more time and man-power to finish.