RentYard Telehandler vs. Forklift: Which to Rent
Compare telehandlers and forklifts for lifting height, reach, terrain and operator training.
| Telehandler | Forklift | |
|---|---|---|
| Lift style | Telescopic boom - lifts up and out | Vertical mast - lifts straight up |
| Typical setting | Construction sites, framing, placing loads on roofs | Warehouses, loading docks, yards (rough-terrain models outdoors) |
| Attachments | Forks, buckets, some work platforms | Mainly forks; some side-shifts and clamps |
| Training | Operator training required for powered industrial trucks | Operator training required for powered industrial trucks |
Which should you rent?
- Rent a telehandler when you need to reach over obstacles or place loads at height on rough ground.
- Rent a forklift for moving pallets on flat surfaces or at a dock.
Questions to ask the yard
Telehandler
- Lift capacity at the reach you need?
- Fork, bucket or work-platform attachments?
- Operator training or certification requirements?
- Delivery and site ground conditions?
Forklift
- Capacity and lift height?
- Fuel type: electric, propane or diesel?
- Indoor (cushion tires) or outdoor (pneumatic/rough-terrain)?
- Operator training documentation (OSHA requires trained operators for powered industrial trucks)?
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Sources
General information; machine capabilities vary by model. Confirm specs with the rental yard.