A telescopic handler is similar to a forklift. It has a single telescopic boom that extends both upwards and forwards from the truck, and a counterweight situated in the rear. It works much more like a crane than a forklift. The boom can be equipped with different kinds of attachments. The most popular attachment is pallet forks, but the operator can also attach a bucket, muck grab or lift table. Also referred to as a telehandler, this type of machine is commonly used in industry and agriculture.
A telehandler is commonly employed to transport loads to and from areas which would be difficult for a standard forklift to access. Telehandlers are usually utilized to unload pallets from in a trailer. They are also more practical compared to a crane for lifting loads onto other high areas and rooftops.
There is just one major limitation in using telehandlers. Despite counterweights at the rear, the weight-bearing boom could cause the vehicle to destabilize as it extends. Hence, the lifting capacity lessens when the distance between the front of the wheels and the centre of the load increases.
The Matbro company developed telehandlers in England. Their design was based on articulated cross country forklifts utilized in forestry. Early versions had a centrally mounted boom on the front and a driver's cab on the back section, but nowadays the design that is most common has a strong chassis with a rear mounted boom and side cab.