When a forklift is too small and a crane is too big, rent a telescopic handler. Telehandlers, short for telescopic handlers, have the strength and ability to lift, move and place material, while overreaching obstacles within the worksite. Other names for telehandlers include rough-terrain variable-reach, extended-reach or shooting-boom forklifts. A telescopic boom distinguishes a telehandler from other types of forklifts. Applications for renting telehandlers include framing, roofing, masonry, landscaping and other construction work.
Read our article on load weight and reach for helpful information on telescopic handler features of telehandlers for rent.
Benefits of Telehandlers
- Rented telehandlers move around congested worksites and are able to lift and place material exactly where needed, whether over a freshly poured concrete driveway or up six stories. Additionally, they often feature different steering modes for level surfaces, on rough terrain or laterally.
- Rented telehandlers can handle the rough terrain and slopes found at construction sites. Uneven surfaces and debris — typical “no-go” zones for other types of material handling equipment — often do not present problems for telehandlers.
- Attachments, such as buckets, grapples, work platforms and brooms enable rented telehandlers to complete many aspects of work on the jobsite using one piece of equipment. Quick-coupler systems make changing attachments quick and easy.
Best practices
Federal and some state agencies require that forklift operators of all kinds receive training prior to operating the equipment to prevent injuries or deaths from accidents, such as a tip-over, collapse, collision or electrical-source contact. The following material provides some general best practices to keep in mind in addition to this training. Your local, ARA-affiliated rental store professionals also can familiarize you with your particular telehandler rental.
Safety tips.
- Only use a rented telehandler if you have received proper training.
- Read all manufacturer warnings and instructions prior to using your rented telehandler.
- Properly secure rented telehandler for transport.
- Follow safe practices to hook up and tow a rented telehandler.
- Wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
- Never wear loose clothing or jewelry that can catch on the rented telehandler during use.
- Operate a rented telehandler in only a well-ventilated area.
- Always wear your seat belt when operating a telehandler.
- Do not allow anyone to ride in rented telehandler other than the operator.
- Keep onlookers at an appropriate distance from the worksite.
- Check and, if needed, service fluid levels in a rented telehandler before use.
- Select an attachment — approved by the manufacturer of the rented telehandler — that suits your intended application. Make sure to properly secure it.
- Inspect rented telehandler for loose, broken or missing parts and properly inflated tires before use. Make sure all safety devices work properly. Never override any safety features on the equipment.
- Perform a worksite inspection, taking note of all overhead electrical lines or obstructions, drop-offs or holes, ground obstacles and space clearances. Maintain a minimum clearance of at least 10 feet from overhead electrical lines.
- Evaluate weather conditions and avoid using the rented telehandler outside when adverse conditions, such as strong winds or icy surfaces, exist.
- Do not exceed maximum lift capacities recommended by the manufacturer of the rented telehandler.
- Make sure to secure all loads on the rented telehandler.
- Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for starting and shutting off the rented telehandler.
- If provided, extend outriggers on a rented telehandler before raising the boom.
- Lift loads slowly, making sure that the rented telehandler’s frame remains level.
- When moving the rented telehandler on slopes, go up and down the slope and not across it. Avoid using the rented telehandler on steep slopes.
- Move the rented telehandler slowly, keeping both the boom and the load low to the ground.
- Shut down rented telehandler before performing maintenance or when leaving the equipment unattended.
- Never lift the boom of a rented telehandler or its load over anyone.
- Always lower the boom to the ground, turn off the engine and set the parking brake prior to leaving the rented telehandler.
Contact your local, ARA-affiliated, rental store for information on available rental products and services to meet your telehandler needs. To locate the rental store nearest you, use the Rental Store Quick Locator above.