Telescopic handlers are somewhat similar to forklifts. It has one telescopic boom which extends upwards and forwards from the truck, and a counterweight located in the back. It functions more like a crane than a forklift. The boom can be equipped with different types of attachments. The most common attachment is pallet forks, but the operator can also attach a bucket, muck grab or lift table. Also known as a telehandler, this particular kind of machine is commonly used in industry and agriculture.
A telehandler is most frequently used to transport loads to and from places that would be difficult for a standard forklift to access. Telehandlers are normally used to unload pallets from in a trailer. They are also more practical than a crane for carrying loads onto other high places and rooftops.
There is just one major limitation in using telehandlers. Even with counterweights at the back, the weight-bearing boom can cause the machine to destabilize while it extends. Therefore, the lifting capacity decreases as the distance between the center of the load and the front of the wheels increases.
The Matbro company developed telehandlers within England. Their design was based on articulated cross country forklifts used in forestry. Early versions consisted of a centrally mounted boom on the front and a driver's cab on the back section, but these days the most popular design has a strong chassis with a rear mounted boom and side cab.