A telehandler (also called a telescopic handler, teleporter, or boom forklift) is a versatile machine that combines the functions of a forklift, crane, and loader. Its key feature is the telescopic boom, which allows it to lift and move loads to elevated or distant positions. Telehandlers are widely used in construction, agriculture, industry, ports, and maintenance.
1. Construction and Building Sites
This is the most common application area for telehandlers.
Typical uses:
- Lifting and transporting building materials (steel bars, timber, bricks, cement pallets) to higher floors or distant spots;
- Handling materials in areas inaccessible to tower cranes;
- Working with attachments such as hooks, buckets, or work platforms for lifting, loading, and site cleanup;
- Operating efficiently in confined urban job sites as a compact alternative to cranes.
2. Agriculture and Farming
Telehandlers are also widely used on farms, especially in Europe.
Typical uses:
- Handling hay bales, feed, fertilizer, and grain;
- Loading and unloading agricultural products and cleaning livestock barns;
- Using buckets for loading and material handling;
- Lifting materials to silos or barns at height.
3. Industrial and Warehouse Applications
Typical uses:
- Moving large or heavy loads such as machinery, equipment, and containers;
- Loading and unloading from high racks or storage yards;
- Performing multipurpose handling or maintenance tasks using fork, hook, or platform attachments.
4. Ports and Terminals
Typical uses:
- Loading and unloading containers, bulk materials, logs, or steel coils;
- Assisting ship operations and yard stacking;
- Performing light lifting tasks where cranes are impractical.
5. Mining, Infrastructure, and Maintenance
Typical uses:
- Transporting equipment and materials in mines or construction sites;
- Supporting road and railway maintenance operations;
- Lifting personnel and tools for electrical, communication, or infrastructure repair at height.
6. Versatility Through Attachments
A major advantage of telehandlers is their interchangeable attachment system, allowing one machine to perform multiple tasks.
Common attachments include:
- Forks
- Hooks or lifting jibs
- Buckets
- Grapples
- Work platforms (man baskets)
With these attachments, telehandlers can serve as all-terrain, multi-purpose handling platforms, switching between lifting, loading, and access operations quickly.
Summary Table
| Application Field | Typical Uses | Common Attachments |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Material lifting, site handling | Forks, hooks, buckets |
| Agriculture | Feed handling, farm maintenance | Grapples, buckets, forks |
| Industry/Warehousing | Heavy load handling, high stacking | Forks, hooks |
| Ports/Terminals | Cargo loading and yard work | Lifting jibs, buckets |
| Mining/Maintenance | Equipment transport, personnel lifting | Platforms, hooks |
