Although traditional forklift trucks and telescopic boom forklift trucks are both lifting equipment, their functions and application scenarios are very different . In this article, we will compare the core differences between the two to help you accurately match your business needs and avoid purchasing mistakes.
A traditional forklift truck is an industrial handling equipment with a hydraulic system as its power core, mainly used for plane handling and vertical stacking operations. Its typical features include:
Rigid gantry structure with a lifting height of 3-6 meters.
Standard fork device, can be replaced with special attachments.
The steering mode is mostly rear-wheel steering, with a small turning radius.
The power system can be driven by electric, diesel or liquefied gas.
Telehandler is a multi-purpose construction machinery which integrates the functions of crane and forklift, and its significant features include:
Adopting telescopic boom structure, the maximum working height is up to 18 meters.
With four-wheel drive and steering function, excellent off-road performance
Quickly replaceable with a wide range of attachments (forks, hooks, buckets, etc.)
Usually equipped with a leveling system to adapt to the operation on slopes.
Equipped with a telescopic arm and various attachments, it is suitable for a variety of tasks, such as lifting, moving and placing materials.
Small in size, highly maneuverable, ideal for indoor or enclosed spaces, specifically designed for use in limited spaces and light-duty applications.
Specially designed for large construction sites and industrial applications, it can handle heavy loads with reinforced suspension and tires, providing excellent traction and stability.
Also known as rotating telehandlers, these telescopic arms have rotating arms that allow for greater flexibility and range.
This is the most common type of forklift, with heavy objects at the rear to balance the lifted load. The forks are at the front of the vehicle. It is suitable for indoor and outdoor applications where a small forklift is needed to move materials.
These forklifts are powered by diesel, gasoline, or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). More powerful than electric forklifts, they are well suited for outdoor environments and applications that require lifting heavy loads.
These forklifts are similar to off-road telescopic forklifts, and their reinforced suspension and tires give them excellent traction and stability on uneven terrain.
These forklifts have telescopic forks that allow them to reach deeper into shelves and racks. They are ideal for applications where space is limited or high-density storage is required.
These forklifts are designed to lift the operator and the load together, making it easier to pick items from elevated or shelving systems.
The telescopic arm and high lifting capacity allow the telescopic arm to extend farther, allowing the zoom boom to carry materials to higher floors of buildings. Lift heavy objects and transport them to different floors of buildings. Ideal for transporting building materials such as cement, bricks, and steel on construction sites.
The telescopic function of the telescopic arm allows you to easily cross obstacles in farmland and carry materials to high places. It is widely used in the agricultural field, especially in uneven fields, to handle, stack, and unload heavy objects during field work. In forestry, reach telehandlers are often used for tasks such as transporting timber and felling.
In manufacturing production lines and factories, telescopic handler is used to carry heavy materials. In scenarios where the position of goods needs to be precisely controlled, it can also provide precise handling services, making it suitable for places that require high-precision operation and stacking to high places.
In special work scenarios such as high-altitude work, tunnel work, etc., the large telehandler can meet various complex work requirements by equipping it with various attachments and accessories. For example, after installing the high-altitude work platform, it can realize manned high-altitude work.
In modern warehousing environments, traditional forklifts have become the core equipment for cargo turnover due to their agile steering performance and stable load capacity. Unlike large-scale machinery, forklifts can flexibly shuttle in narrow aisles and work with standardized pallets to achieve rapid stacking and transfer of goods. Especially in special scenarios such as cold chain logistics, the zero-emission feature of electric forklifts perfectly fits the environmental requirements of indoor operations.
In manufacturing workshops, forklifts play the role of “material handling experts”. From incoming raw materials to outgoing finished products, forklift trucks can seamlessly connect various production stages.
For complex outdoor working conditions, industrial forklifts equipped with cross-country tires show amazing adaptability. In the bridge construction site, you can see them transporting steel cages; in the prefabricated parts yard, their excellent stability ensures the safe transfer of concrete components. The specially designed anti-skid system enables the forklift to maintain excellent grip even in muddy areas, an advantage that is difficult to compare with many large equipment.
Telescopic handlers are usually expensive because of their complex structure, high-strength materials, and high-tech equipment such as hydraulic systems and GPS monitoring systems. Telescopic forklift price range from $40,000 to $200,000, depending on the model, lifting capacity, and functions. However, because of their efficient and flexible operating capabilities, even with a higher initial investment, the versatility of the forklifts can replace a variety of machines such as forklifts, cranes, or boom lifts, helping to offset some of the higher costs by reducing the need for other equipment on site. They can perform multiple tasks and operate in complex terrain that traditional forklifts cannot handle.
Traditional forklift price is relatively cheap due to their simple structure and low material costs, especially domestic traditional manual forklifts, which cost around $30,000 to 50,000. Manual or basic electric forklifts are even cheaper, costing around $10,000. They have low purchase, fuel/charging, and maintenance costs. However, they are mainly designed for flat surfaces and are not as flexible as telehandlers in terms of lifting height and material handling capabilities. Although the purchase cost is low, complex or special operating environments may require more manpower and time to complete the task, increasing the cost of labor and time.
| Feature | Telehandler | Forklift |
| Application Areas | Construction sites, agriculture, mining, manufacturing and other complex environments | Widely used in multiple fields such as production lines, warehouses, ports,mainly for material handling and stacking |
| Load Capacity | Equipped with higher lifting capacity, high-performance telehandelr can reach over 10 tons | The lifting capacity is relatively small, generally between 1.5-3 tons |
| Height and Reach | Extendable boom provides additional height and horizontal reach capabilities | Limited to vertical lifting, cannot extend to distant or high locations |
| Environment Suitability | Adaptable to various complex work environments, with strong adaptability | More suitable for linear handling operations in spacious and flat areas. |
| cost-effectiveness | High cost but widely applicable, can replace various devices and reduce manpower. | Low initial investment, affordable price, and low maintenance cost |
| licence | Both traditional forklifts and telescopic forklifts require corresponding driver’s licenses or operating certificates. | |
Telescopic handler forklifts and traditional forklifts are both industrial equipment for cargo handling and stacking. Both can effectively lift and move heavy objects, playing a key role in warehousing, logistics and manufacturing. Telehandlers are more expensive and complex to operate, but provide greater flexibility; traditional forklifts are more economical and easy to operate, suitable for daily standard material handling tasks. When choosing, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the specific needs of the project and cost factors to determine the most suitable model.
EPDAS is a professional construction machinery supplier. We have a variety of telehandler models for you to choose from. Come and contact us to get the latest quotation!
