Important Facts For Purchasing, Renting Or Leasing Telehandlers

Telehandlers

A telehandler is a machine mostly used in the construction industry for lifting and moving heavy loads such as pallet boards to high or difficult to reach areas. Many offer you different attachments and lifting equipment to perform a variety of jobs. The equipment includes an attached platform providing you with capabilities similar to cranes and forklifts.

Purchasing vs Renting or Leasing

Telehandlers are expensive pieces of equipment. If you are not going to be using the equipment on a regular basis, you should consider renting or leasing. Quality brands are important for durability and life expectancy. If you decide to purchase the equipment, you should compare prices for three different suppliers. Prior to choosing the right unit for your needs, you should consider all of the following.

• Capacity
• Turning radius
• Height
• Boom pivot pin
• Reach
• Steering
• Tires
• Accessories and features
• What you need to lift and where
• Qualified operator
• Environment
• Comfort
• Headlights for nighttime use

The Types of Telehandlers

There are three main types of equipment available. Each model is different, with your choice depending on your business requirements and industry. The basic model is the standard fixed boom. This is appropriate for agriculture and construction. The heavy lift model offers flexibility and efficiency for mining. The rotational model is designed to revolutionize construction. The non-rotating model has a telescopic boom capable of elevations for vertical and horizontal positions. The boom has a fork carriage to handle unit loads. You can use this type to transport loads and place them at the selected height. The rotating model enables the chassis to be lifted for increased stability. This type offers you a compact chassis, better lifting height and easier load placement.

Understanding the Basics

The lift height and weight vary according to the model. The lift reach is generally between 20 and 630 feet. The weight of the equipment is usually between 4,400 and 10,000 pounds. The forward reach for small units is approximately 10 feet. Larger models offer you a 45-foot reach. Most models have a diesel engine. The size of the unit is proportional to the engine size. Larger machines will require more power. Compact models provide you with more versatility due to the better turning radius and maneuverability. The three basic steering modes are four-wheel or all-wheel, front-wheel or standard and crab wheel. Standard is best if you are operating on sites with a level surface and minimal clutter. Four-wheel is necessary for maneuverability. Crab can precisely place your loads in difficult to reach areas.

Accessories

There are five types of attachments for telehandlers, carriages, platforms, forks, buckets and specialized models. You can find attachments for all lifting requirements such as crew members. Each attachment is defined below.

Carriages: Carriages with dual fork positioning enable easier positioning with small adjustments. The side shift enables you to shift right or left several inches. Swing and side-tilt enable more careful positioning.

Fork-Mounted Platforms: Fork-mounted platforms enable more flexibility and lift the members of your crew.

Forks: Curbing forks enables you to lift block and brick cubes. You can increase length with a fork extension for longer or bigger objects. Extendable trusses are fork-mounted for frame or metal buildings and allow you to set wooden trusses. If you store material using pallets, you need a pallet fork. For long objects, a lumber fork is necessary.

Buckets: A hydraulic arm is fitted on grapple buckets for securing your loads. Material buckets allow you to load, level and spread material and clean your worksite. Pipe grapples are for handling single or multiple pipes.

Specialized Models: Standard lifting and coupler-mounted hooks enable your operator to move and lift equipment without changing attachments. Material handling arms work well for civil engineering and construction projects because you can move your materials around. Towers offer additional vertical boom reach. Sweepers clean your pathways. Truss booms set trusses in steel or wood building construction.

The Life Expectancy of Telehandlers

The life expectancy of your equipment depends on maintenance and operator care. To minimize internal wear, you should replace your filters with OEM replacements whenever possible. You can reduce downtime by checking and replacing fluids on a schedule compliant to the instructions of the manufacturer. Hydraulic engines and systems have a vulnerability to contamination. Prior to working on your equipment, your maintenance crew should be aware of proper procedures. Numerous boom sections require different procedures. You can increase your lift span according to the recommendations of the manufacturer. To ensure your equipment performs smoothly, proper maintenance is necessary for chain guide assemblies and slide wear pads.

The Final Word

Determining your specific requirements is critical to ensure you have the right model. You should know which attachments and specifications are necessary for your requirements. You should ask the supplier questions until you are certain you know exactly which telehandler will best serve your needs.