What is a telehandler or telescopic handler?
Headcore
Telehandler: a rough-terrain lifting machine whose telescopic boom reaches forwards and upwards from the chassis, carrying forks, a bucket, a hook or a work platform to lift loads to height and out in front.[2][5][6]
Also called Telescopic handler, Telescopic boom handler, Variable-reach truck
Is a telehandler a forklift?
No. A telehandler lifts on a telescopic boom that reaches forwards and upwards, while a forklift lifts on a mast. One 4,000 kg telehandler reaches at most 13.53 m up or 9.46 m out, and lifts less than its full 4,000 kg at either.[5][4][6]
In South Africa, the National Code of Practice for training providers of lifting machine operators lists forklifts as codes F1 to F16 and the telescopic boom handler as crane code C46.[2]
With a hook or jib, a telehandler lifts suspended loads like a crane. The Code still gives a mobile crane its own codes, such as C43 for hydraulic mobile cranes up to 15,000 kg.[6][5][2]
How much can a telehandler lift at full reach?
Far less than its rated capacity. In South Africa, where the safe working load varies with the conditions of use, regulation 18(1)(b) of the Driven Machinery Regulations, 2015 requires a table of it for every variable condition, posted where the operator can easily see it. One maker's charts for a 4,000 kg telehandler with forks show how fast the load falls with reach and what lowering the stabilisers adds.[1][4]
| 4,000 kg telehandler with forks | On its tyres | On lowered stabilisers |
|---|---|---|
| The full 4,000 kg | Out to 2.40 m | Out to 5.10 m |
| Most at full outreach | 300 kg at 9.46 m | 1,500 kg at 9.38 m |
| Full lift height | 12.3 m | 13.53 m |
Sources:[4]
What attachments can a telehandler use?
Forks, buckets, hooks and jibs, winches, clamps and work platforms are the usual ones. In practice, each attachment has its own load chart: one maker's telehandlers show the chart for the fitted attachment on the cab display.[5][6][10][8][4]
A work platform carries people, and in South Africa, regulation 18(8) of the Driven Machinery Regulations allows that only when the machine "is fitted with a man-cage designed and manufactured according to an approved SANS standard approved for that purpose by an inspector and after a risk assessment has been done".[1]
In practice, a platform is rated by mass and by people: one maker's non-extendable platform takes 250 kg and is type approved for two persons.[10]
The operator's licence lists the attachments too (clause 14.2 of the 2024 Code). For crane codes, the Code's attachment letters include O for a lattice fly jib, P for a hydraulic boom extension, T for a mancage and X for a grab, grapple or forks.[2]
Which licence does a telehandler operator need in South Africa?
A certificate of training for that type of lifting machine. Regulation 18(11) of the Driven Machinery Regulations, 2015 requires every lifting machine to be "operated by an operator specifically trained for that particular type of lifting machine", and, for a machine listed in the National Code of Practice, a certificate of training from an accredited training provider approved by the chief inspector.[1][2]
The 2024 Code was incorporated into the regulations on 6 December 2024, and its clause 14.5 reads: "No person shall operate any equipment covered by this National Code of Practice without a valid certificate of competence and a carry card required by the Driven Machinery Regulations."[2]
- The licence or carry card is valid for up to 24 months and shows the lifting machine code and description, the attachments, the capacity and any restrictions of operation (clause 14.2).[2]
- The Code lists the telescopic boom handler as crane code C46. Its forklift code F11 lists rough-terrain and agricultural equipment with lift-truck attachments; the F11 illustrations add earthmoving, and one shows a telescopic machine with a log grab. Check the code and description on the card against the machine and the job.[2]
- A temporary licence lasts up to 6 months, and its holder must operate "under direct and constant supervision of a person with a valid licence for the particular type of lifting machine" (clause 10(c)).[2]
- Training providers may be accredited by the QCTO or the Transport SETA until the end of June 2027, and must be accredited by the QCTO from then.[2]
- On a construction site, regulation 23(1)(d) of the Construction Regulations, 2014 adds that the operator of mobile plant must be authorised in writing and hold a medical certificate of fitness issued by an occupational health practitioner.[3]
Questions buyers ask
What are the different types of telescopic handlers?
Fixed and rotating: a rotating telehandler turns its boom through 360 degrees on a turret. Capacity varies widely: one maker's fixed range includes a compact 3,000 kg machine without stabilisers, and its heavy-duty machines lift 10 to 50 tonnes. Stabilisers matter as well: the machine in the load chart above lifts more on its stabilisers than on its tyres.[5][6][7][9][4]
How often must a telehandler be inspected?
In South Africa, a lifting machinery inspector of a lifting machinery entity examines and performance-tests it before first use and then at intervals not exceeding 12 months (regulation 18(5)(a)). A competent person examines its ropes, chains, hooks, sheaves, brakes and safety devices at least every six months (regulation 18(6)). On a construction site, the operator of mobile plant also inspects it daily before use against a checklist and records the findings in a register kept in the machine.[1][3]
What should a hired telehandler come with?
The latest performance test and service records, not older than 12 months, for the register regulation 18(7)(b) makes the user of a leased lifting machine keep on its premises; the load chart, posted where the operator can see it (regulation 18(1)(b)); and a load indicator where its lifting capacity is greater than 5,000 kg, and/or a load-limiting device (regulation 18(9)).[1]
Sources
- Department of Labour (Government Gazette 38905), Driven Machinery Regulations, 2015 (GN R. 540), 24 June 2015.
- Department of Employment and Labour (Government Gazette 51711), Incorporation of the National Code of Practice for the Training Providers of Lifting Machine Operators, 2024, into the Driven Machinery Regulations 2015 (Notice 5526), 6 December 2024.
- Department of Labour (Government Gazette 37305), Construction Regulations, 2014 (GN R.84), 7 February 2014.
- Manitou, MT 1440 ST5 technical sheet, with load charts on tyres and on lowered stabilisers (forks), Generated 7 November 2026.
- Manitou, MT 1440 ST5, fixed telehandlers (product page, with compatible attachments), Page copyright 2026; read 7 November 2026.
- Magni SA, RTH: rotating telescopic handlers, August 2026 (page modified).
- Magni SA, TH 3.6: technical features, August 2026 (page modified).
- Magni SA, TH 4.19 SP: technical features, July 2026.
- Magni SA, HTH: heavy-duty telehandlers, August 2026 (page modified).
- Magni SA, Applications and attachments, May 2025 (page modified).