Telescopic handler

A telescopic handler, also called a lull, telehandler, teleporter, reach forklift, or zoom boom, is a machine widely used in agriculture and industry.

The advantage of the telehandler is also its biggest limitation: as the boom extends or raises while bearing a load, it acts as a lever and causes the vehicle to become increasingly unstable, despite counterweights in the rear.

That means the lifting capacity quickly decreases as the working radius (distance between the front of the wheels and the centre of the load) increases.

When used as a loader the single boom (rather than twin arms) is very highly loaded and is a weakness, even with careful design.

The operator is equipped with a load chart which helps determine whether a given task is possible, taking into account weight, boom angle and height.

Machines that are fully stabilised with a rotary joint between upper and lower frames can be called mobile cranes.

Under the laws or regulations of some national or other jurisdictional authorities, a license is required in order to operate a telehandler.