Telescopic handlers are somewhat similar to forklifts. It has a single telescopic boom which extends both upwards and forwards from the truck, and a counterweight within the rear. It works more like a crane than a forklift. The boom could be equipped with different kinds of attachments. The most common attachment is pallet forks, but the operator can also attach a muck grab, lift table or bucket. Also known as a telehandler, this particular type of equipment is commonly utilized in industry and agriculture.
When it is difficult for a standard forklift to access areas, a telehandler is commonly utilized to transport loads. Telehandlers are normally utilized to unload pallets from inside a trailer. They are also more handy than a crane for carrying loads onto rooftops and other high locations.
There is only one major limitation in utilizing telehandlers. Despite rear counterweights, the weight-bearing boom could cause the equipment to destabilize while it extends. Thus, the lifting capacity decreases as the distance between the center of the load and the front of the wheels increases.
The Matbro company developed telehandlers in England. Their design was based mainly on articulated cross country forklifts utilized in forestry. Initial models had a driver's cab on the back section and a centrally mounted boom on the front, but these days the design that is most popular has a strong chassis with a side cab and rear mounted boom.