The Ultimate Telehandler Spec Guide and Size Charts

When it comes to material handling, there are few better equipment options than telehandlers. Designed for rough terrain, they have four-wheel drive capability and more reach and versatility than forklifts.

In this blog, we'll provide an overview of what telehandler specs to think about before purchasing or renting, the important specs and sizes for the big manufacturers, and additional considerations to factor into your decision.

The Most Important Telehandler Specs to Consider

Picking the right telehandler will depend on a few main factors. This requires answering questions like:

• How much do I need to lift?

• How high do I need to lift?

• How far do I need to reach?

Once you answer these questions, deciding what telescopic handler category to pick becomes much easier. There are typically three main telehandler sizes: light to medium-duty, heavy-duty, and high capacity.

Light to medium-duty telehandlers, also known as 6k or 8k telehandlers, have lifting capacities between 5,000 and 9,000 lbs. This machine size range reaches between 19 to 42 feet and often does not require outriggers or stabilizers.

Heavy-duty telehandlers, commonly known as 10k or 12k telehandlers, can lift up to 12,000 lbs. They have a reach of 54 feet and come with outriggers or stabilizers for added stability.

High-capacity telehandlers are specialized machines. They can lift between 14,000 and 24,000 pounds and reach between 33 and 56 feet. Outriggers can come as an optional feature.

These are the most important specs to consider when looking at telehandler size charts. The columns in these charts include:

• Lift capacity

• Max lift height

• Lift capacity at max height

• Max reach

• Lift capacity at max reach

• Whether or not outriggers are equipped

Other specs may be important depending on your construction site. For example, tire type may be a deciding factor depending on the terrain. Or, if you're working in a tight space, then the turning radius of the telehandler might be important.

Find Your Next Equipment Rental on DOZR

6000 lbs, 40 - 42 ft, Telehandler Rentals

5,000 lbs - 15,000 lbs

15 - 56 ft

8000 lbs, 41 - 43 ft, Telehandler Rentals

5,000 lbs - 15,000 lbs

15 - 56 ft

10000 lbs, 42 - 49 ft, Telehandler Rentals

5,000 lbs - 15,000 lbs

15 - 56 ft

SEE ALL EQUIPMENT ON DOZR

Features that may be an additional factor include cab comfort and safety. However, most models nowadays come with comfortable cabs, air conditioning and heating, load sensors, and more.

Jump ahead to each manufacturer's spec charts:

• Genie Telehandlers

• JLG Telehandlers

• JCB Telehandlers

• GEHL Telehandlers

• Manitou Telehandlers

• Skyjack Telehandlers

• Caterpillar Telehandlers

• Bobcat Telehandlers

• Snorkel Telehandlers

Genie Telehandlers

One of the most popular telehandler manufacturers, Genie currently has 5 models in their product portfolio. These machines have a lift height ranging from 18 feet to 56 feet and 7 inches. Their forward reach is 11 feet to 42 feet.

The 10k telehandlers and above have outriggers equipped while the 5k, 6k, and 8k ones don't have outriggers. While Genie is one of the most popular brands for these material handlers, their product range is not as expansive as most others on this list.

Genie Telehandler Specs and Size Charts

JLG Telehandlers

With 19 telehandlers, JLG has one of the widest ranges of options on the market. With lift capacity ranging from 2,700 lbs to 26,600 lbs, they also have some of the best capacity limits in the industry.

The highest-reaching telehandler they make is the JLG R11100 which goes all the way up to 97'. It also has an impressive reach of 86' when the outriggers are down.

JLG has a few different types of models: the rotating series, SkyTrak, and the high-capacity telehandlers, as well as the standard models. The rotating series are denoted by the R in the name. These machines are great because they work as a standard telehandler but the upper frame can rotate a full 360 degrees which allows for more horizontal and vertical lifting.

The SkyTrak machines are designed for more comfort and productivity. Their booms have improved speed and functionality, a single joystick, and optional air conditioning. They also have less of an environmental impact with their Tier 4 engines. They are denoted by the SkyTrak names below.

Lastly, they have high-capacity machines, the JLG 1644, 1732, and 2733. These telehandlers have increased lift capacity but also have limited lift height and limited lift reach. They also don't come with stabilizers or outriggers.

For JLG telehandlers, you can often get a quick handle on the specs through the machine name. The first number or two is often the max lift capacity. For example, the JLG 943 and JLG 1055 have 9,000 and 10,000 lbs lift capacities, respectively. The last two numbers are the max lift height so they would be 43' and 55' for those models, respectively.

JLG Telehandler Specs and Size Charts

JCB Telehandlers

With 16 telehandlers currently in their portfolio, JCB is one of the most trusted brands as well. Their machines are broken down into two categories: the standard telehandlers and the tool carriers.

The standard telehandlers don't have the "TC" in their name and have a wide range of lift capacities and lift heights. Outriggers are equipped on every machine 10,000 lbs and up except the JCB 510-42.

JCB model names are straightforward to classify and read. For example, the JCB 510-56 has a lift capacity of 10,000 feet as denoted by the 10, and a lift height of 56'.

JCB Telehandler Specs and Size Charts

GEHL Telehandlers

Similar to JLG, GEHL has 19 telehandler models that have a lift capacity ranging from 2,756 to 12,000 lbs. This is more limited than JLG models, and they also have less range of max lift height and forward reach.

The highest lift capacity at max reach is 4,000 lbs and the highest lift capacity at max height is 10,000 lbs. On any machine with over 6,000 lift capacity, you will need to double-check whether or not outriggers are equipped or not.

GEHL Telehandler Specs and Size Charts

Manitou Telehandlers

With 25 models, Manitou has the biggest product portfolio out of all the manufacturers on this list. However, like GEHL and Genie, the max lift capacity of their machines is only 12,000 lbs, but they do have a slightly higher lift height than GEHL. They also have a slightly longer reach max with 42' 11".

One of the things that makes Manitou telehandlers unique is that all machines with over an 8,000 lbs lift capacity will come with outriggers or stabilizers.

Manitou Telehandler Specs and Size Charts

Skyjack Telehandlers

Skyjack currently has seven telehandler models that they manufacture with a max lift capacity ranging from 5,500 to 20,000 lbs. While they have fewer machines than competitors like GEHL and JCB, they have a better weight range. And any machine that has a lift capacity of 10,000 lbs and reaches at least 56' have outriggers equipped.

The Skyjack model names signify the max lift capacity and height. For example, the Skyjack SJ1056 TH has a 10,000 max lift capacity and a lift height of 56' as designated by the 1056 in the name.

Skyjack Telehandler Specs and Size Charts

Caterpillar Telehandlers

Known for their larger equipment, some are surprised to hear that Caterpillar also has telehandlers. With only six models, they're not trying to compete too heavily in this field. However, they cover the basic ranges with telehandlers that can lift 42' and 55', and have a lift capacity between 5,500 and 12,000 lbs.

Similar to other companies, the model names signify the max lift capacity and height. For example, the Cat TL943 has a 9,000 lift capacity and 43'. The Cat TL642 and Cat TL943 can be equipped with outriggers and stabilizers if needed.

Caterpillar Telehandler Specs and Size Charts

Bobcat Telehandlers

Bobcat has two telehandlers that are mostly in the light to medium-duty size range with max lift capacities between 5,500 to 9,000 lbs. They also have limited lift heights ranging from 19' to 23'. This makes them more comparable to small, compact wheel loaders than the largest telehandlers on the market.

Similar to other models, the model name signifies a rough range of max lift capacity and max lift height. For example, the Bobcat TL723 has a max lift capacity has 7,718 lbs and a lift height of just under 23'.

Bobcat Telehandler Specs and Size Charts

Snorkel Telehandlers

The last brand on this spec list for us to cover is Snorkel. With 5 models, their options are limited but also cover the typical 6k and 10k telehandler range. They follow the same naming process as most other brands with the max lift capacity and lift height featured in the name. All of their models with over 9,000 lb lift capacity have outriggers equipped.

Snorkel Telehandler Specs and Size Charts

Choosing Your Next Telehandler Rental

We hope this guide has helped you figure out what telehandler specs you need for your next job and what models can fit in those ranges. Whether it's max reach, reach capacity, whether or not outriggers are equipped, or lift height, the DOZR Marketplace has got you covered.

You can search for 6k, 8k, 10k, and 12k telehandlers on DOZR and find the right model for your site in just a few clicks. Rent a telehandler on DOZR today.