Telehandler 101: What is a telehandler and how can it be used?
What is a Telehandler?
A telescopic handler, or telehandler, is a hydraulic lifting machine used to carry and set heavy building materials. Sometimes, operators in the Wichita area will call them boom lifts because they move loads with a crane-like tool called a boom. You can affix attachments to the end of their boom to hold different types of materials. An attachment’s design suits the kind of load it’s built to carry, such as forks.
You can think of a telehandler as a combination of a forklift and crane. They transport goods across a work site and telehandlers’ booms let them move with greater accuracy. No other machine can haul thousands of pounds with the same amount of maneuverability. Investing in one machine that does the work of several helps teams stay within a project’s budget.
How can a telehandler be used?
A telehandler is capable of improving productivity while enhancing safety and efficiency. Here are just a few of the many uses of a telehandler:
Material handling: The primary use for telehandlers is carrying very heavy loads from one location to another. The frame and remarkable maneuverability make it possible to access tight areas that large forklifts are not able to. Telehandlers are used on distribution centers, farms, warehouses, and a variety of other job sites. Depending on whether you need a resource for picking up pallets from inside a barn or shed or an easier way to place loads onto flatbed trucks or a rooftop, telehandlers can get the job done efficiently.
Elevated positioning: The telescopic reach of a telehandler boom allows you to safely position operators high above the ground. It’s also an easier way to deliver materials and tools up high. The (typical) work platform attached to the boom can hold 500 to 1,000 pounds or more. Telehandlers are ideal for commercial or industrial construction sites, allowing you and your crew to reach out and over obstacles. It is also frequently used in repair and maintenance. For example, maintaining utilities, painting, cleaning tall ceilings and windows, changing light fixtures, etc. Telehandlers can place your crew in the optimal position indoors or out.
Sanitation and recycling: Telehandlers offer a large range of advantages working in waste removal and recycling centers. The machines can be coupled with buckets for carrying, blades for pushing, grapples for grabbing and hooks for towing. Telehandlers are fuel-efficient and simple to learn, meaning reduced operating costs and training requirements.
Snow removal: Among the many uses of a telehandler is the ability to plow snow in the winter months. Once fitted with the proper work tools, you’re able to clear away snow, ice and debris to keep productivity moving and provide a safer work environment.
Putting Telehandlers to Work for Your Construction Project
Renting a telehandler allows you to select a machine that matches the needs of your specific project. If a telehandler malfunctions on the job, Trinity is here in Wichita to help! When it comes to moving heavy materials, telehandlers are a safe, reliable option. At Trinity, we promise to make sure we provide you with quality equipment and excellent customer service. We truly care about you and your business, and we want to ensure that all your equipment is not only operating safely, but to the best of its ability. We are the local experts you can lean on for any project, big or small. Give us a call today at (316) 942-5555!
