Last Updated on September 26, 2025
Forklifts are often the go-to material handlers for construction, agriculture, warehouses, factories and other industries. But sometimes a project calls for lifting materials higher or farther than a regular forklift can safely reach, such as lifting oversized equipment, moving heavy pallets several stories up or installing event lighting rigs in hard-to-reach places.
Renting a telehandler can help empower teams to do their job safely while enhancing productivity. By the end of this article, you’ll understand telehandler basics. You’ll also be able to answer the questions: What is a telehandler? How much can a telehandler lift? And what are the important things to consider before selecting a telehandler?
What Is a Telehandler?
The word telehandler is short for “telescoping handler.” Telehandlers are known by many names, including telescopic handlers, boom forklifts or telescoping forklifts. They essentially are a forklift that has a telescopic boom (or arm) that extends forward and upward. This allows operators to lift materials higher and farther than they could with a traditional forklift.
5 Things to Know Before Selecting a Telehandler
Telehandlers are well-suited to many construction, manufacturing or agriculture projects, offering teams extra lifting power, reach and maneuverability, even on rough terrain. However, because there are so many different models and sizes of telehandlers available to rent, it’s important to consider the following telehandler basics before making your selection.
1. Telehandler Uses: More Versatile Than Forklifts
Telehandlers have more reach and are compatible with more attachments than traditional forklifts, meaning that you can use them to accomplish a multitude of tasks. Depending on what attachments you use, telehandlers can offer the functions of a forklift, crane and aerial work platform in one easy-to-maneuver machine.
You can use them for construction, earth moving, warehousing, manufacturing and agriculture projects.
Before selecting a telehandler, make sure you know where and what it will be used for:
- Make a list of all the lifting and material handling tasks in your project or facility. Even if you’re not sure if a telehandler will be able to help, this list will help you and your equipment provider identify what type and size telehandler to rent and what types of attachments you’ll need.
- Identify the highest/farthest reach and heaviest materials. Telehandlers are often listed by their weight capacity and reach, so you’ll need to know the maximum weight of the materials to be moved and the maximum height they’ll be lifted.
- Analyze the project site for accessibility. Different telehandlers offer different turning radiuses and stability features, so you’ll need to know where the tightest spaces are and how uneven or unstable the terrain will be.
2. Choosing the Right Type of Telehandler Is Important
It’s critical that you know how the machine will move around the project site and how the boom will need to move to reach the work area. This is because there are two basic types of telehandlers:
- Fixed Telehandlers: The cab does not rotate, limiting the available range of motion but making them well-suited for the heaviest loads.
- Rotating Telehandlers: The cab and boom can rotate while the chassis remains stationary, making them better for tasks in areas that are harder to access than fixed telehandlers.
Each type of telehandler comes in a variety of weight capacities and reach distances from the industry’s most trusted heavy equipment manufacturers. They can reach heights of up to 56 feet and have a maximum lifting capacity of up to 26,000 pounds, making them critical for tasks requiring significant reach and lifting power.
When selecting which telehandler to rent, choose the type that offers ample capacity, plenty of reach, sufficient mobility and a good range of motion for your use case.
Other features you may want to consider, include:
- Rollover protection systems (ROPS) and rear-axle stabilization for stability on rough terrain
- Enhanced ergonomics for reduced fatigue during extended periods of use
- Intuitive controls and indicators to increase efficiency
3. Adding the Right Attachments Enhances Productivity
Having the right type or size telehandler isn’t enough if you don’t have the appropriate attachments to do the job at hand. Each model of telehandler can have a variety of attachments, allowing teams to increase their productivity without the hassle of acquiring a different machine.
Telehandler attachments, such as forks, buckets or grapples connect to a hydraulic mechanism at the end of the boom.
Types of attachments and examples of their uses include:
- Forks (Forklift, Pallet or Bale, etc.): Forks are best for lifting and moving heavy crates, pallets or hay bales.
- Buckets: Buckets are used for scooping or lifting loose material such as snow, gravel or soil.
- Grapples: Grapples feature strong jaws and grip perfect for moving logs or other irregularly shaped debris.
- Augers: Auger attachments help with digging precise post holes or foundations.
- Mowers, Cutters and Blowers: These attachments enable crews to clear vegetation and snow.
- Work Platforms and Work Cages: These attachments provide a secure, elevated work platform.
4. Training Is Required for Operations Safety
OSHA classifies telehandlers as a Class VII Rough Terrain Forklift Truck. And just like traditional forklifts, telehandlers are at risk of tipping over or dropping loads. In fact, approximately 25% of all forklift-related deaths are caused by the machine overturning.
It’s vitally important that all employees who will be operating or working near a telehandler receive safety training. And if the telehandler will be driven on a public road, it must be properly registered and licensed.
The training should include:
- How to adhere to manufacturer guidelines.
- Recognizing safety hazards and knowing when it’s unsafe to operate the machine.
- Best practices for safe operation, including how to safely manage a load and load capacity.
- How to safely transport or drive the telehandler on a public road.
5. Renting a Telehandler Can Give You More Flexibility
Renting telehandlers can offer several advantages over purchasing equipment outright. Though the exact cost of the rental telehandler varies depending on the model and length of the rental, renting frees you from the hassle and costs of large upfront payments, depreciation, and ongoing maintenance. You’ll also get access to the latest telehandler models and attachments, allowing you to scale your fleet based on project needs.
Plus, if operational efficiency and optimizing financial resources is crucial to your project, customized rental agreements provide exactly the right equipment just when it’s needed or on a long-term basis. A trusted equipment rental provider can also offer payment options that fit your budget.
Contact the Rental Equipment Experts at Herc Rentals
Whether handling materials on a construction site or accessing elevated areas in a manufacturing facility, renting a versatile and reliable telehandler from Herc Rentals will give you the power and reach needed to do the job efficiently and safely.
Our diverse range of telehandler rental options maximizes project efficiency by enabling your teams to gear up and get more done. Count on Herc Rentals for expert equipment guidance, safety training and delivery options to ensure you get the best telehandler rental for your project. Browse our selection of telehandlers or give us a call at 888-777-2700 to discuss options with an expert today.
