Telescopic Forklift vs. Standard Forklift: Which One Is Right for Your Jobsite?
If you need to move materials on a jobsite, a forklift can make the work a whole lot easier. But not every forklift is designed for the same kind of job.
Two common options are standard warehouse-style forklifts and telescopic forklifts, also called telehandlers. While both can lift and move materials, the way they work is quite different.
So, which one is right for your project?
Standard Forklifts Are Best for Stable, Level Surfaces
Standard forklifts are the familiar choice for warehouses, loading areas and other relatively flat, stable surfaces.
They are designed primarily to lift and move materials over shorter distances. Their compact size can also make them easier to manoeuvre in tighter spaces.
A standard forklift may be the better choice when you’re:
- Loading and unloading trucks
- Moving pallets around a warehouse
- Handling materials in a yard
- Working on smooth, level surfaces
- Moving loads over relatively short distances
If your job is mostly about picking up a pallet and moving it from one place to another, a standard warehouse forklift may be all you need.
Telescopic Forklifts: Built for Reach and Rough Terrain
A telehandler looks somewhat like a forklift, but its telescopic boom gives it a much greater reach.
That makes it particularly useful on construction and other outdoor jobsites where you may need to lift materials up, over or across an obstacle.
Many telehandlers are also designed for rough terrain, making them better suited to uneven outdoor surfaces than a standard warehouse forklift.
A telehandler can be useful for:
- Construction sites
- Moving materials to elevated areas
- Reaching over obstacles
- Working on uneven ground
- Moving materials across larger jobsites
Depending on the machine and attachments being used, a telehandler can also handle more than simply lifting pallets.
What’s the Biggest Difference?
The simplest way to think about it is reach and terrain.
A standard forklift is generally best when you’re working on a stable surface and primarily need to move loads.
A telehandler gives you more flexibility when you need to reach higher, farther or across uneven ground.
That extra versatility can make a big difference on a construction site.
What About Attachments?
One of the advantages of a telehandler is that various attachments can expand the machine’s capabilities.
Depending on the model and application, attachments may enable a telehandler to handle various materials or perform tasks beyond basic pallet handling.
That’s worth considering when you’re choosing equipment. If your job involves several different tasks, a telehandler may give you more flexibility than a standard forklift.
Which One Should You Rent?
Start with the job, not the machine.
Think about:
- Will you need attachments?
- What are you lifting?
- How heavy is the load?
- How high does it need to go?
- How far does it need to reach?
- What is the ground like?
- How much room do you have to manoeuvre?
Need Help Choosing?
We got you covered. Talk to the Bercon Rentals team before you rent.