Today, with the rapid development of global modern agriculture towards scale, mechanization and high efficiency, telescopic handler forklifts have changed from “optional equipment” to core equipment for farm production and operation. With its flexible telescopic arm structure, strong lifting and load capacity, rich adaptability and all-terrain operation advantages, the telescopic arm forklift quickly penetrates into all scenarios such as planting, animal husbandry, forest fruit, warehousing, farm infrastructure, etc., and has become an integrated solution to replace traditional forklifts, loaders, cranes and aerial work trucks. Case.
Telescopic forklift is a kind of multi-functional engineering machinery equipped with a retractable long arm, integrated fork, bucket, sling, grab and other equipment. The agricultural telescopic boom forklift is optimized for farm field operation, forage handling, grain loading and unloading, animal husbandry cleaning, forest fruit management and other scenarios on the basis of general-purpose equipment. It has the characteristics of anti-grass wrapping, corrosion resistance, low ground disturbance, easy to clean, adaptation to agricultural machinery and so on.
The scope of operation is wider
Traditional forklifts can only operate on a flat field, and the lifting height is limited; the telescopic arm can be extended forward and lifted upwards, and the maximum lifting height can reach more than 18 meters, and the horizontal extension distance is far exceeding that of ordinary equipment.
Terrain adaptability is stronger
Ordinary forklifts are easy to slip and sink in muddy, slopes and fields; agricultural telescopic boom forklifts use four-wheel drive, differential locks and large off-road tires, which can operate stably on paddy fields, slopes, grasslands and gravel roads.
More functions
By quickly replacing the belongings, one piece of equipment can realize dozens of operations such as fork transportation, shoveling, lifting, grabbing, high-altitude operation, sweeping, pushing, etc., replacing multiple single equipment.
More efficient
The traditional model requires multiple equipment and multiple operators to work together; one telescopic forklift can complete multi-process flow by one person and one machine, which greatly shortens the operation time.
Higher security
Equipped with torque limiter, tilt protection, cab protection, and vision optimization system, it is safer when lifting, extending and hoisting, and reducing farm safety accidents.
The lifting height determines how high you can pile and repair; the forward stretching distance determines whether you can cross obstacles (such as material grooves and fences) without moving the vehicle. Generally, the lifting height of the agricultural model is 6-9 meters, and the forward extension distance is 3.5-5 meters; the lifting height of the high-lift model is 9-12 meters, and the forward extension is 5-7 meters.
All telehandlers for farm should be equipped with two-wheel steering, four-wheel steering and crab mode. The crab mode allows the vehicle to move obliquely in the narrow passage while keeping the direction of the fork unchanged, which is very suitable for operation in the aisle of the barn or between the shelves of the warehouse.
In terms of tires, agricultural models are equipped with high-pattern or agricultural radial tires as standard, which provide sufficient traction in mud, snow and soft fields. If you have slope operation needs, pay attention to check the static tilt stability angle of the vehicle (usually above 18°).
The farm driver may sit all day, so an excellent cab should be equipped with an adjustable suspended seat, an intuitive joystick (a joystick to control the boom telescopic, lifting, and tilting of the harness), a large display screen to display the load weight, lifting height, hydraulic oil temperature, fault code, cooling and heating air conditioning and good density Seal.
Compact telehandler is suitable for small family farms, greenhouses, orchards, livestock and poultry houses, and narrow sites. The load capacity is 1.5–3 tons, the lifting height is 4–8 meters, the body is small, the turning radius is small, and it is flexible and light. It has the advantages of small area, low fuel consumption, simple operation, affordable price, etc.; it is suitable for small area and refined operation.
It is suitable for medium-sized planting farms, grain storage, ordinary grasslands, fruit and vegetable bases and other general scenarios. With a load capacity of 3–5 tons and a lifting height of 8–12 meters, it is the most balanced and versatile, and is the most mainstream model on the farm. Taking into account the load, lifting and flexibility, it can meet the daily operations of most farms and is the most cost-effective.
Heavy-duty telehandler is suitable for large-scale farms, grain warehouses, large-scale pastures, forestry bases and high-standard farmland. With a load capacity of 5–10 tons and a lifting height of 12-18 meters, it has strong power, strong stability and large operating radius; it is suitable for high-intensity, large-scale, high-altitude stacking and long-distance handling to meet the explosive operation needs of the busy agricultural season.
It is suitable for comprehensive farms, pasture bases, orchards and farm infrastructure maintenance that require high-frequency switching operations. Integrated quick-change device, standardly equipped with forks, straw bundles, buckets, high-altitude work platforms, sewage buckets, rotary tillers, etc. Truly realize one machine multi-energy, reduce the idle rate of equipment, and maximize the return on investment.
| Serial number | application scenario | core operation content | core value |
| 1 | Grain / Cash Crop Farm | Grain Loading And Unloading, Stacking, Fertilizer Transshipment, Field Logistics | High Efficiency, Labor Saving, Low Loss |
| 2 | Livestock farm | forage handling, manure cleaning, feeding, shed maintenance | clean environment, reduce waste, reduce epidemic |
| 3 | Orchard / Forestry Pruning | picking, seedling handling, branch cleaning, high-altitude operation safety | quality improvement and efficiency, labor saving |
| 4 | Farm warehousing and logistics | cargo loading and unloading, high-rise stacking, cold chain handling | high space utilization, fast turnover, low damage |
| 5 | Farm infrastructure maintenance | shed construction, fence installation, equipment maintenance, site leveling | reducing construction costs, independent maintenance, one machine for multiple uses |
Traditional farms need at least forklifts, loaders, small cranes, aerial work trucks, sweeping equipment and other machines. Each equipment requires procurement costs, parking sites, maintenance and operators. An agricultural telescopic forklift can cover all the above functions by replacing the belongings, directly reducing the cost of equipment procurement by more than 60%, while reducing site occupation, maintenance expenses and labor costs. For small and medium-sized farms, this is the most cost-effective equipment investment.
Farm operations have a strong timeliness, especially in the busy agricultural season, harvest season and forad harvest season. Time is the yield. The telescopic arm forklift method lifts 2-3 bundles at a time and directly lifts them to a height of 6 meters. It takes an average of 1.2 minutes for a single bundle, and the efficiency is improved by 60%. When replacing the belongings, it takes at least 20 minutes for two people to replace the bucket to the fork of the traditional equipment; the telescopic arm forklift is equipped with a quick-change connector, and the driver does not leave his seat, and the replacement will be completed within 2 minutes. After using the telescopic arm forklift, the efficiency of farm material handling and loading and unloading has been improved by an average of 300%-500%. The operation can be completed in advance during the busy agricultural season, reducing the risks of grain mold and forage loss.
Labor shortages in farms are a global problem, and a telehandler forklift can replace 3–8 manual workers to complete handling, stacking, loading and unloading, cleaning and other work. Based on the per capita daily wage, it can save tens of thousands of yuan to hundreds of thousands of yuan in labor costs every year. At the same time, after reducing personnel input, farm management is simpler, and there is no need to worry about the loss of personnel affecting production.
Traditional equipment can only operate on hardened road surfaces and leveled sites, while a large number of farm operations take place in fields, slopes, muddy sites and sheds. The four-wheel drive chassis of agricultural telescopic boom forklift, large-patterned off-road tires, and high-ground clearance design can easily cope with complex environments such as muddy, slopes, soft land, field paths, etc., and can go wherever operation is needed to avoid operation interruption caused by site restrictions.
| Rank | Brand Name | Country | Core Strengths |
| 1 | Manitou | France | Leading telescopic arm technology in the world, complete agricultural models, rich belongings, perfect global after-sales service |
| 2 | JCB | UK | Strong off-road performance, durable structure, strong power, high adaptability to agricultural scenes |
| 3 | Merlo | Italy | Focuses on the research and development of telescopic arms, smooth lifting, comfortable operation, high-precision agricultural |
| 4 | Dieci | Italy | Dual-use agriculture and industry, strong stability, high cost performance, wide scope of application |
| 5 | Caterpillar | US | Heavy duty reliable performance, strong durability, suitable for heavy-duty continuous operation |
| 6 | Bobcat | US | Small machine benchmark, small and flexible body, suitable for narrow space |
| 7 | Komatsu | Japan | Fine workmanship, low fuel consumption, simple maintenance, stable performance |
| 8 | Hitachi | Japan | Excellent hydraulic technology, smooth operation, low failure rate Small and medium-sized farms |
| 9 | SANY | China | Cost-effective, with a wide range of global after-sales service and complete models |
| 10 | EPDAS | China | focuses on agricultural telescopic arms, covering a full series, complete equipment, all kinds of farms around the world, cost-effective choice |
Small farms (<50 hectares) choose compact (lifting 4-6 meters) and can be parked in the standard garage. The standard lifting height of medium-sized farms (50-200 hectares) is 6-8 meters, with a load capacity of 2.5-3.5 tons. This is the most common level. Large farms (>200 hectares) should consider lifting heights of more than 9 meters and assess whether rotation is needed.
List your heaviest single load (for example: a round bale weighs 800 kg, a tray of fertilizer weighs 1.2 tons, and a bucket of grain weighs 2 tons). Select a model with a rated load of at least 1.2 times the maximum load (retate safety margin). At the same time, consider the belongings that may be used in the future. Each prop is required for hydraulic flow matching, especially for props that drive hydraulic motors (such as rotary tillers and grab rotators).
Static hydraulic transmission stepless speed change, pedal control forward and backward, the simplest operation, suitable for frequent change of direction. The disadvantage is that the efficiency of high-speed long-distance driving is slightly lower. Most agricultural models adopt this form. The hydraulic mechanical transmission (torque changer + power shift) is similar to the automatic transmission of the car, which is suitable for long-distance road driving, but the accuracy of low-speed micro-motion is slightly worse. Electric/hybrid is suitable for areas with high environmental protection requirements or low electricity prices.
For example, compact telescopic boom forklifts, domestic brands cost 30,000 to $50,000; mid-end European/American brands cost $60,000 to 100,000; high-end rotary models cost $150,000 to $250,000. Don’t just look at the purchase price, calculate the comprehensive return brought by annual use cost, labor savings, loss reduction and efficiency improvement. Most farms can recover equipment investment through cost savings within 1–3 years.
Is the telehandler forklift suitable for small family farms?
Suitable. Small farms can choose compact models, which are small in size, low in price and simple in operation, can meet the core needs of handling, stacking, simple maintenance, etc., and are extremely cost-effective.
Is it difficult to operate? Do you need professional training?
The operation is simple, and it can be used after the basic training of the manufacturer; regular brands will provide safety operation training, and it is recommended that all operators work with licenses to ensure safety. In addition, drivers should receive additional safety training when operating the high-altitude platform under any circumstances.
How to choose electric and diesel models?
The diesel model has strong power, unlimited endurance and simple maintenance, which is suitable for open-air field, long-distance and high-intensity operation. The electric model is silent, zero-emission and energy-saving, which is suitable for greenhouses, greenhouses, indoor sheds, and scenes with high environmental protection requirements.
Is the annual maintenance cost of a device high?
Not high. Regularly replace the oil, filter and check the hydraulic system according to the manufacturer’s manual. The annual maintenance cost is usually 3%-5% of the purchase price, which is much lower than the total maintenance cost of multiple equipment.
What are the common telehandler attachments? Can I add it later without belongings?
Sort forks, grass grab/bag grabs, buckets, aerial work platforms, snow pushers, rotary sieve buckets, hydraulic hammers or cutters, etc. according to the frequency of use; can be installed. Most brands support the later installation of accessories and quick-change devices, and the farm can gradually expand its functions according to production needs.
Today, when labor costs continue to rise and land scale continues to advance, choosing a telescopic forklift suitable for your farm is to choose a more efficient, easier and more profitable modern agricultural business model. With the continuous upgrading of technology, agricultural telescopic boom forklifts will develop in a more intelligent, energy-saving and accurate direction, and continue to empower global agricultural modernization.
EPDAS is specially designed to provide a full range of agricultural telehandler forklifts and customized equipment solutions for global farms, adapting to all kinds of large-scale farms, with reliable performance, cost-effectiveness and fast after-sales service. Whether you are a small family farm or a large-scale agricultural base, EPDAS can tailor the most efficient equipment solutions for you to help the farm’s efficiency continue to improve. Welcome to consult the selection!
