During the past ten years, telehandlers, also known as rough terrain variable reach forklifts, have surpassed the reputation of powered mobile machines. These equipment have become the gem of the construction industry and with excellent reason. These kinds of machinery are versatile, extremely strong and practical. Because several models and manufacturers has exploded during the past 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 sight and on operation. There are some other significant distinctions between the two machinery discussed below.
Compared to a vertical mast, a telehandler has a completely different look as it is designed with a horizontal boom. A telehandler with a jib attachment from a distance could resemble more of a crane than a forklift. The boom is able to retract and extend or telescope as long as 30 feet and beyond which depends on the particular unit. The boom can also elevate to an angle from horizontal to roughly 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.
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 would move forward and back for distances up to 8 feet or more. One of the major benefits of this function is that it allows the forks to be cleanly withdrawn from a load and the forks could be inserted underneath cleanly, regardless of the boom angle.
The construction business have been changed by zoom booms. They can perform many jobs that used to take a lot more time and man-power to do.