An ITA Class VII forklift with a telescoping boom for elevated reach, common in construction.
Detailed Definition
A telehandler, also called a telescopic handler or variable-reach forklift, is a rough terrain lift truck with a boom that extends forward and up from the chassis. Industry classification groups it with Class VII rough terrain forklift trucks. Instead of a vertical mast, a fork carriage or other attachment rides at the end of the boom, so the machine can place pallets of material over obstacles, onto upper floors or deep onto a flatbed. It is common on construction sites, farms and lumber yards rather than inside warehouses.
How a telehandler differs from a mast forklift
A conventional forklift lifts straight up on a mast and carries the load close to the front wheels. A telehandler carries the load at the end of a boom, so its capacity depends on how far the boom is extended and how high it is raised. Every machine has a load chart showing rated capacity at each boom angle and extension. The capacity on a sales sheet is the best case, usually with the boom retracted.
Many models have stabilizers or outriggers and frame leveling, and the load chart can differ depending on whether they are deployed.
Handling pallets with a telehandler
Telehandlers usually move palletized building materials such as block, roofing, bagged products and lumber bundles. Points to check:
- Fork length and spacing suit the pallet; short forks under a deep pallet can tip the load or break the far deck boards.
- The load is secured to the pallet, because boom movement and rough ground create more sway than a warehouse floor.
- Pallet plus load stays inside the load chart at the placement point, not just at the pick point.
- Attachments such as rotating carriages change rated capacity and need their own chart.
Training and standards
Telehandlers are powered industrial trucks, so OSHA operator training and evaluation requirements apply, with training specific to the machine type. ANSI/ITSDF B56.6 is the consensus safety standard for rough terrain forklift trucks. Operators trained only on warehouse forklifts need additional training on boom operation and load charts.
Related Glossary Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a telehandler a forklift under OSHA rules?
Yes. OSHA treats telehandlers as powered industrial trucks, and industry classification places them in Class VII, rough terrain forklift trucks. Operators therefore need training and a performance evaluation on the type of truck they use. Training on a counterbalanced warehouse forklift does not cover boom extension, load charts, stabilizers or frame leveling, so a separate telehandler evaluation is needed before someone operates one.
Why does a telehandler lift less when the boom is extended?
As the boom extends, the load sits farther from the front axle, which acts as the tipping point. That moves the combined center of gravity forward and increases the risk of tipping. Manufacturers publish a load chart that lowers rated capacity as extension and reach increase. A pallet that is safe to lift close to the machine may be over capacity at full reach, so plan the drop point before lifting.