Telehandler forklifts, also called telescopic handlers, feature a telescopic boom device equipped with a fork attachment...Show More
Telehandler forklifts, also called telescopic handlers, feature a telescopic boom device equipped with a fork attachment. Some telehandlers come with an outrigger to stabilize loads, preventing them from falling or slipping. The boom lowers so that the fork component lays flat, allowing the operator to secure the load from underneath. Once stable, the operator can lift and carry loads weighing up to 5,000 pounds 19 feet in the air using our smallest telehandler rental.
Due to their horizontal reach capability, operators can position loads correctly in even the tightest spaces and angles on a job site. The biggest disadvantage of telehandlers is that their carrying capacity diminishes the further the boom extends. For this reason, it’s crucial to calculate load size and reach before lifting materials. Check out the FAQs below to learn more.
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The cost to rent a telehandler varies depending on the telehandler’s size and lifting capacity.
Smaller telehandlers, such as a 5k telehandler, cost $245 per day, $676 per week, and $1,612 per month to rent. Larger models, like a 10k telehandler, cost $419 per day, $1,144 per week, or $3,023 per month to rent.
When it comes to boom lifts, there are two major kinds: articulated and telescopic. Both have similar lift heights, and both have similar lifting capacities. However, each model excels in different areas.
Sizing a telehandler begins with understanding what you need to lift and where the load will be lifted. Telehandler load and lift ratings are designed around both weight and lift angle. For example, lifting a load farther away from the telehandler chassis will limit the total weight that can be lifted.
Always refer to the specific load charts for each telehandler in question. These will ensure your project’s needs are safely met.
Job type will also play a role in telehandler selection. Outdoor jobs can utilize large telehandlers because of the available space. However, indoor projects will require the telehandler to be small enough to fit inside and throughout the space.
Though telehandlers are similar in appearance to forklifts, they are more versatile. While both machines can lift loads, a telehandler’s extending boom allows it to move loads in more directions without moving its base. Often, booms extend higher and farther than a forklift can reach.
Telehandlers also feature swappable boom attachments, including carriages and platforms. Because of their construction and 4-wheel drive, many telehandlers can easily handle rough terrain.
OSHA requires you to be certified to operate a telehandler. Telehandler certification does not cover forklifts or boom lifts. Different states have different training guidelines. But, in general, anyone interested in using a telehandler — from construction worker to private citizen — must be certified.
To become certified, formal instruction is given online by OSHA or through third-party trainers. After this, a written test and active skills test must be passed before a final evaluation. Those that pass are certified. Certification lasts for three years, at which point a person must take a refresher course.