Lift and place – telehandlers are the ultimate versatile materials handling solution
What is a telehandler?
A telehandler, or telescopic handler to give it its full name, is a rough terrain materials handling machine with an extending lifting boom. This machine can lift and move materials in both directions, making it easier to place the load without driving on the ground. That said, the majority of telehandlers are also capable of picking up a load and travelling with it, in a ‘load and carry’ operation.
Larger telehandlers come with hydraulic stabiliser legs that extend in front of the machine. This increases the lifting capacity of the boom, though only when the machine is stationary.
There are also even larger telehandlers that have a rotating upperstructure, similar to a mobile crane. This allows the machine to pick a load, swing to a new position and place the load, all without having to move at ground level. Rotating telehandlers can also have additional booms and rope winches added to them, effectively turning them into mobile cranes.
Telehandlers come in many sizes and lifting capacities. The most common lifting heights are 7m and 10m, while rotating machines tend to have lift heights of 21-26m.
Maximum lifting capacities range from sub-1 tonne, through to 7-8 tonnes. However, maximum lift capacity will only be possible when the boom is fully retracted. As the boom is extended, the lift capacity is reduced, creating what is known as a lifting envelope.
A machine that can lift 3 tonnes when retracted, might only be able to lift 1 tonne when fully extended. Therefore, working out what you want to lift and how far it might be from the location you want to reach is important. You might only want to lift a 2 tonne load, but if you want to place it 5m away, you might need to hire a 5 tonne telehandler, to get the required lift capacity at that reach.
What are the possible applications?
The main task for a telehandler is lifting and placing materials, so pallet forks will be the most popular telehandler attachment. There are various types of pallet forks available.
Some examples include hydraulically adjustable forks and side-shift carriages. There are also agricultural forks with bale grabs and clamping equipment. There are also a wide range of buckets and grapples that can be used in construction and industrial applications, for moving aggregates and soils on site and in builders’ merchants.
Telehandlers are extremely versatile machines and they are often the first to arrive on site and the last to leave. They can be equipped with road sweeping equipment, as well as lifting attachments and buckets. Housebuilding in particular is reliant on the telescopic handler, for the movement of palletised and loose materials, for use with mortar tubs and concrete skips and for lifting and placing timber roofing trusses.
Specialist telescopic handlers can also have access baskets installed, effectively transforming them into a mobile work platform. These machines must have additional safety features, such as hydraulic hose burst valves and cut-outs, installed. The basket will have a second set of controls that prevent movement on the ground when the boom is raised.
Does an operator need to have a licence to drive a telehandler?
While it is not law that an operator should have a permit to drive, the majority of construction sites will insist on a Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) qualification or a National Plant Operators Registration Scheme (NPORS) certificate of training.
There are varying levels of CPCS qualification for telehandlers, from industrial telehandler and machines up to 9m, above 9m but excluding rotary machines and then a final qualification for rotary models. Operators will need to have a separate International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) certificate to use a telehandler as an access platform.
A basic CPCS trained operate card (red) will take one to five days of training, depending on previous experience. The basic five-day course at the Construction Industry Training Board in Norfolk costs £1,550.
If the machine is to be driven on the road at all, the operator will also need to have a car (B) driving licence and the machine will have to be road registered and insured.
Choosing and hiring a telehandler?
CW Plant Hire offers a comprehensive range of telehandlers to suit all construction and industrial needs, from smaller fixed boom to larger rotating boom models. With our commitment to providing top-quality equipment and exceptional customer service, you can trust us to help you get the job done efficiently and safely.
Contact our knowledgeable team for more information on our telehandler hire options. Whether you need guidance on selecting the right model or require specific customisation, we’re here to assist you every step of the way. Reach out to CW Plant Hire today and experience the difference our expertise and dedication can make for your project.
