What is a Telescopic Forklift?

Posted by: admin on October 27, 2022

Telescopic forklifts are the unsung heroes of the construction, agriculture, and manufacturing industries. These powerful machines can make all the difference in terms of productivity at work. Your business may benefit from the purchase of a telescopic forklift, but only if you have operators licensed to use one. Our OSHA-approved telescopic forklift certification training is the perfect companion to your new equipment. In a single afternoon, workers can learn all about telehandler lift and how to use them safely.

What Is a Telescopic Forklift?

A telescopic forklift is sometimes referred to as a telehandler or telescopic handler. It consists of a telescopic boom fitted with a lifting attachment.

Most telescopic forklifts look similar to cranes. They offer greater versatility than standard forklifts. This is due to the fact that a telehandler has a single telescopic boom that can extend forward and up from the machine.

Telehandlers are frequently used in agriculture, manufacturing, and construction. They may be utilized in warehouses as well.

History of Telescopic Forklifts

The telehandler forklift dates back to 1977. JCB produced the forklift, which was unlike any other.

JCB’s initial telehandler offered an unprecedented combination of a forklift, crane, and backhoe. The telehandler garnered attention from businesses across a wide range of industries. And within a year of its launch, JCB introduced a four-wheel version of its telehandler forklift.

CAT, JLG, Bobcat, and many other forklift brands have released telescopic forklifts over the years. Demand for telehandlers remains steady around the world, too.

How to Drive a Telescopic Forklift

Telehandler training is necessary to learn how to operate this kind of forklift. The equipment’s center of gravity is very important, and if you’re not adequately prepared to handle the material you’re loading onto the telehandler, tip overs are likely. Counterweights can help keep things balanced, but it takes thoughtful consideration to use telescopic forklifts effectively. 

The boom angle is another important factor to keep in mind when driving a telescopic forklift. It works in a similar fashion to a lever, but is complicated by any added weight. To use the boom arm, you simply pull back on the joystick to lift. Pushing forward puts the arm back down. The throttle helps control the speed of raising and lowering.

Telehandlers have telescopic arms for various attachments. These extensions are also controlled by the joystick, with thumb rollers providing options for up and down, back and forth motions. Outriggers are controlled by a trigger on the joystick. Telehandler certification training can teach you more specifics how telescopic forklift driving best practices.

Telehandler Attachments

Common telescopic forklift attachments include:

• Carriage: Enable an operator to position a load in a specific way. Popular carriages for telehandlers include side-tilt, side-swing, and fork-positioning varieties.
• Bucket: Helps an operator hold dirt, mulch, gravel, and other loose materials.
• Truss Boom: Can increase the length of a telehandler or allow an operator to increase the height to which they can suspend a load.
• Pallet Fork: Ensures a telehandler can be used to lift and transport pallets in warehouses.
• Man Basket: This bucket can be fitted to pallet forks to lift workers up to heights, but only while there is another employee working behind the wheel for safety.
• Telehandler attachments can be purchased and installed at any time. But, they are not required for every work application.

Telehandler attachments can be purchased and installed at any time. But, they are not required for every work application.

Meanwhile, OSHA-approved certification training is a great option to educate workers about telescopic forklift attachments. The training ensures workers are well-equipped to install these attachments correctly and get the most value out of them.

Telescopic Forklift Operator Certification Needs

All U.S. telehandler operators must earn OSHA certification. These operators are required to complete an OSHA-approved forklift safety certification training program. They must also keep their certification up to date in accordance with OSHA guidelines.

OSHA-compliant certification training is readily available to telescopic forklift operators. The training enables operators to learn about forklift safety. It ensures operators are prepared to identify and resolve forklift safety hazards and contribute to a productive and efficient work environment.

To earn telescopic forklift certification, an individual must pass an exam administered by an OSHA-certified trainer. Next, this individual receives an OSHA forklift certification license that stays active for up to three years.

Consequences of Not Certifying Employees to Drive a Telehandler Forklift

Businesses can receive steep OSHA fines if unlicensed telehandler operators are found at their worksites. An OSHA fine can cost a business thousands of dollars. It can damage a business’ brand reputation and result in revenue losses as well.

If an unlicensed driver is using a telescopic forklift, he or she endangers others, too. This operator lacks the knowledge and insights necessary to safely drive a telehandler. Therefore, the operator may be prone to mistakes. And if he or she causes an accident, the operator and others could get seriously injured or die.

Telescopic Forklift FAQs

1. How high can a telehandler reach?

Telehandlers can generally reach up to 65 ft.

2. How much weight can a telehandler carry?

A telehandler can carry over 20,000 lbs.

3. Is it possible to drive a telehandler on a public road?

Yes. A telehandler can be driven on a public road if the machine is licensed and registered.

4. Are telehandlers available in different sizes?

Yes. It often helps to consider what needs to be lifted to find the right telehandler. Also, it can be beneficial to account for a jobsite’s conditions.

5. Is a telehandler the right option for my business?

It depends. Consider the work application before you purchase a telehandler or any other type of forklift. And don’t forget to enroll your workers in certification training before you buy your lift, either.

6. Can Telehandlers Lift Workers?

Yes, telescopic forklifts can be used to lift workers to great heights. Man baskets attach to the forks to lift workers up to the necessary height. Aerial lifts may be the safer option, though – never use a telescopic forklift without a driver actively behind the wheel at all times.

Need Telehandler Forklift Certification Training for Your Workers? CertifyMe.net Can Help

Telescopic forklifts can transform the way you run your business. Of course, these powerful machines are nothing without qualified operators at the helm. If you’re hoping to invest in such equipment, you’ll want to be sure your employees are up to the task. Invest in quality training and you’re certain to see employees working as safely, efficiently, and effectively as possible.

CertifyMe.net offers OSHA-compliant forklift certification training. We can teach your workers about telehandler safety. Our team can even help your workers become OSHA-approved telehandler operators in as little as 60 minutes. To learn more or enroll your workers in our certification training for forklifts, please contact us online or call us today at 1-888-699-4800.