Telescopic Handler Forklift

What are Telescopic Handler Forklifts?

Telescopic handler forklifts, also known as telehandlers, teleporters, or boom lifts, are most commonly used in agriculture and industries that require high lifting of loads.

There are various steering modes that can be selected for telehandlers, such as four-wheel, front-wheel, and crab steering. The front-wheel drive system is where the entire drive package, such as the engine and transmission, are all in the front of the vehicle. Front wheel drive eliminates production cost as well as weight. On the other hand, all the wheels turn at the same time when the operator steers for the four-wheel steering system. Crab steering is a type of active four-wheel steering. This kind of steering is used when the vehicle needs to operate in a straight line but under a particular angle or when the wheels at the back are not supposed to follow the tracks of the front wheels.

Telehandlers vary in size and applications. There are brands which specialize in compact telehandlers, meeting the needs of construction, farming, masonry, and landscape applications. High-reach telescopic handlers, on the other hand, are more suitable for construction of multi-storey buildings and structures. This variation of telehandler is used for moving or placing materials and cleaning up job sites.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Telehandlers?

One of the advantages of this type of forklift is that it has a single telescopic boom which allows the truck to become more strong, heavy-duty, and adjustable. The hollow boom consists of several tubes that are fitted one side the other. This mechanism allows the beam to elongate and retract. Because of its physical features, telescopic handler forklifts are often mistaken as small cranes rather than forklift trucks.

However, extra care must be done when operating the telescopic handler since the boom can also cause the machine to become unstable despite the presence of counterweights at the back. This occurrence happens because the machine’s lifting capacity decreases as the working radius increases. The working radius is defined as the distance between the front wheels of the forklift and the load center.

What are their Features?

Other features of telescopic handler forklifts include a multifunction joystick control for more accurate positioning, retractable seat belt, illuminated switch panels, and a reversible, continuous hydraulic flow.  Rear proximity alarms are also available for some telescopic handler models. These sensors are designated for machines and vehicles that alert the driver when there are near obstacles or objects while parking.

Options and accessories include attachments such as a bucket, pallet forks, a lift table, and a muck grabber. These attachments and the presence of front outriggers allow the telescopic handler forklift to extend its lifting capabilities and complete work more efficiently as it can reach heights that normal forklifts can’t. Other telehandler specs will be discussed in the next section.

For industrial applications, pallet forks are the most common attachments. These pallet forks are used to move loads to places that usually cannot be reached by standard forklifts. An example of using pallet forks is moving loads on rooftops of buildings and other high places. For agricultural applications, the bucket grab is usually used. The telescopic handler can also work with a crane jib when lifting loads.

Manufacturers of Telescopic Handler Forklifts

Genie

Compact Telehandler GTH-5519

Max Lift Height (ft)	19
Max Forward Reach (ft)	11
Max Lift Capacity (lbs)	5500
Power Source	Perkins 804D-33 4 cylinder diesel 63 hp (47.0 kW) Deutz D 2011 4 cylinder diesel 68 hp (50.0 kW)
Travel Speed (mph)	15
Weight (lbs)	9800

 

High-Reach Telehandlers

GTH-636

Max Lift Height (ft)	36
Max Forward Reach (ft)	21ft 11in
Max Lift Capacity (lbs)	6000
Power Source	Deutz TD 2.9 L4 turbo charged diesel, Tier 4f 74 hp (55.2 kW)
Travel Speed (mph)	18
Weight (lbs)	17600

 

GTH-844

Max Lift Height (ft)	43ft 10in
Max Forward Reach (ft)	28ft 2in
Max Lift Capacity (lbs)	8000
Power Source	Deutz 3.6TCD turbo charged diesel, Tier 4f 74 hp (55.2 kW) Deutz 3.6TCD turbo charged diesel, Tier 4f 99 hp (74 kW) Perkins 854E turbo charged diesel, Tier 4 99 hp (74 kW) Deutz 3.6TCD turbo charged diesel, Tier 3 99 hp (74 kW) Perkins 1104D turbo charged diesel, Tier 3 99 hp (74 kW)
Travel Speed (mph)	15
Weight (lbs)	22600

GTH-1056

Max Lift Height (ft)	56ft 10in
Max Forward Reach (ft)	42ft
Max Lift Capacity (lbs)	10000
Power Source	Perkins 1204E T4i 124 HP (92.47 kW) Deutz TCD 3.6 L T4i 121 HP (90.23 kW)
Travel Speed (mph)	17
Weight (lbs)	30000

 

GTH-1256

Max Lift Height (ft)	56ft
Max Forward Reach (ft)	42ft
Max Lift Capacity (lbs)	12000
Power Source	Deutz 4.1TCD turbo charged diesel, Tier 4i 154 hp (115 kW) Perkins 1204E-E44TA turbo charged diesel, Tier 4i 147 hp (110 kW)
Travel Speed (mph)	18
Weight (lbs)	36600

 

GTH-1544

Max Lift Height (ft)	44ft
Max Forward Reach (ft)	27ft 3in
Max Lift Capacity (lbs)	15000
Power Source	Deutz 4.1TCD turbo charged diesel, Tier 4 interim 154 hp (115 kW)* Perkins 1204E-E44TA turbo charged diesel, Tier 4 interim 147 hp (110 kW)
Travel Speed (mph)	18
Weight (lbs)	33686

 

JCB

Model	525-60 Hi Viz	516-40	516-40 Agri
Max Engine Power	55 kW	35 kW	47hp
Max Lift Capacity (kg)	2500	1600	1600
Max Lift Height (m)	6	4	4
Image

Model	520-40 Agri	525-60 Agri/ Agri Plus	526-56 Agri/ Agri Plus
Max Engine Power	49 hp	74 hp	109 hp
Max Lift Capacity (kg)	2000	2500	2600
Max Lift Height (m)	4	6	5.6
Image

 

Model of Telehandlers	527-58 Agri/ Agri Plus	527-58 Wastemaster	531-70
Max Engine Power	109 hp	81 kW	55 kW
Max Lift Capacity (kg)	2700	2700 kg	3100 kg
Max Lift Height (m)	5.8	5.8	7
Image

Sources:

http://www.youtube.com

http://www.genielift.com/en/products/telehandlers/index.htm

https://www.jcb.com/en-us/products/telescopic-handlers