A telehandler (short for Telescopic Handler) is a versatile heavy equipment that combines the capabilities of a crane and a forklift. Its key feature is a telescoping boom that can extend forward and upward, allowing it to place loads at a distance and at height, unlike a standard forklift which primarily lifts vertically.
Telehandler forks are the key components that connect to the end of this telescopic boom to handle palletized and other loads. They are usually:
1. Shaft-Mount (Pin-Type) Design
Each fork has a large, cylindrical "eye" or "tube" welded to its top section. A massive steel pin is inserted through this tube and the carriage on the telehandler's boom tip, securely locking the fork in place.
2. High Capacity and Robustness
Telehandlers are built for heavy-duty, often rough-terrain work. Their forks are typically thicker, wider, and heavier-duty than standard forklift forks of a similar length to handle the significant stresses involved when the boom is fully extended.
| Feature | Telehandler Forks | Standard Forklift (ITA) Forks |
|---|---|---|
| Mounting System | Shaft-Mount (Pin-Type) | Hook-Type (ITA Standard) |
| Positioning | Individually adjustable along a positioner. | Fixed as a set on the carriage. |
| Primary Use | Lifting at distance and height; rough terrain. | Vertical lifting in warehouses and on flat surfaces. |
| Typical Carriage | Specific to the telehandler model; often a pin-and-positioner system. | Standardized ITA Classes (II, III, IV, V). |
