What Is the Reach of a Telehandler?

A telehandler’s reach is the maximum height and horizontal distance its telescopic boom can extend to lift, place, or retrieve loads.
It defines how effectively the machine can work over obstacles, into elevated structures, or across uneven terrain, making reach one of the most important specifications when selecting a telehandler [telehandler reach guide]¹.

Types of Reach

1. Maximum Lift Height (Vertical Reach)

Vertical reach describes how high the boom can raise a load when fully elevated.
Common ranges include:

• 15–20 ft (4.5–6 m) for compact machines
• 45–60 ft (14–18 m) for standard high-reach models
• 65+ ft (20+ m) for large construction telehandlers
• 100+ ft (30+ m) for specialized high-reach units used in niche applications [high-reach performance]²

Vertical reach is essential for placing palletized materials onto upper floors, rooftops, mezzanines, and elevated platforms.

2. Maximum Forward Reach (Horizontal Outreach)

Forward reach is the horizontal distance from the front of the telehandler to the load when the boom is fully extended.
Most machines fall within:

• 10–13 ft (3–4 m) for compact telehandlers
• 23–30 ft (7–9 m) for mid-size construction machines
• 40–45 ft (12–14 m) for high-reach models [forward-reach specifications]³

Forward reach is what allows operators to work over trenches, barriers, scaffolding, or truck beds without repositioning the machine.

How Reach Relates to Capacity

Reach and lifting capacity are closely connected.
As the boom extends:

• The load moves farther from the center of gravity
• Leverage on the chassis increases
• Stability decreases
• Safe lifting capacity drops significantly

This is why every telehandler includes a detailed load chart, showing how much weight can be lifted safely at every boom angle and extension position.
Attachments—buckets, jibs, platforms—also change the effective reach and must be matched with the correct chart [load-chart principles]⁴.

Practical Examples of Telehandler Reach

Here are typical reach specifications from widely used telehandler models:

Model	Max Vertical Reach	Max Forward Reach
JLG 1075	75 ft (22.9 m)	60 ft (18.3 m)
Cat TL1255D	54.6 ft (16.6 m)	41 ft (12.5 m)
Genie GTH-5519	18 ft 10 in (5.7 m)	11 ft 3 in (3.4 m)
JCB 540-200	65.6 ft (20 m)	Not specified directly (typ. ~45 ft)
Manitou MTA 10055	55 ft 1 in (16.8 m)	40 ft 9 in (12.4 m)

These examples show the typical pattern:

• Compact models offer modest height and outreach
• Mid-size models strike a balance for general construction
• High-reach units deliver exceptional lift height with strong forward reach
• All telehandlers lose capacity as reach increases

3 Key Considerations When Evaluating Reach

1. Maximum outreach at full height is not equal to maximum forward reach

A telehandler usually cannot achieve its longest horizontal reach when the boom is raised to maximum height.

2. Attachments alter reach and safe working limits

Buckets, platforms, and jibs extend the load center and reduce usable reach.

3. Reach values assume firm, level ground

Soft, sloped, or uneven terrain reduces stability and practical reach capacity.

Summary

The reach of a telehandler defines how far its telescopic boom can lift and place loads both vertically and horizontally. Compact models may offer around 15–20 ft vertically and 10–12 ft forward, while high-reach machines can exceed 65 ft upward and 40–60 ft forward.
Understanding these two dimensions—and how they change with boom position, attachments, and ground conditions—is essential for choosing the right telehandler for real jobsite work.

References