Telescopic handlers are a bit like forklifts. It has a single telescopic boom which extends upwards and forwards from the truck, and a counterweight in the back. It functions a lot more like a crane than a forklift. The boom can be outfitted with various types of attachments. The most popular attachment is pallet forks, but the operator could also attach a bucket, muck grab or lift table. Also called a telehandler, this particular type of machine is usually utilized in agriculture and industry.
A telehandler is commonly used to transport loads to and from places which would be difficult for a conventional forklift to access. Telehandlers are usually utilized to unload pallets from in a trailer. They are also more practical than a crane for lifting loads onto other high areas and rooftops.
There is only one major limitation in using telehandlers. Even with rear counterweights, the weight-bearing boom could cause the vehicle to destabilize while it extends. Therefore, the lifting capacity lessens as the distance between the front of the wheels and the centre of the load increases.
Telehandlers were developed in England by the Matbro company. Their design was based mainly on articulated cross country forklifts utilized in forestry. First versions consisted of a centrally mounted boom on the front and a driver's cab on the back section, but today the most common design has a strong chassis along with a rear mounted boom and side cab.