Telescopic Forklift: 13 Ways to Use It and 5 Mistakes to Avoid

13 Ways to Use a Telescopic Forklift (and 5 Jobs You Shouldn’t Use It On)

Need to lift heavy materials high up? A telescopic forklift does just that. Also known as a telehandler, it can handle tough job sites better than a forklift, and it can reach where a crane can’t. Here’s when to use a telescopic forklift—and when to switch it out for a different piece of equipment. 

The Right Jobs for a Telescopic Forklift

1. Stacking Large Hay Bales or Feed Bags

Easily stack round and square hay bales in barns or storage areas without needing a front-end loader. 

Best Bobcat® Telehandler Model: TL619 

2. Handling Drywall and Roofing Materials

Place drywall, shingles, and panels exactly where you want them to end up. 

Best Bobcat Telehandler Model: TL619 

3. Setting Up Event Infrastructure

Used for erecting stages, scaffolding, speaker towers, and seating stands at concerts, fairs, and stadiums. 

Best Bobcat Telehandler Model: TL619 

4. Lifting Construction Materials to Upper Floors

Move lumber, steel beams, and bricks to second or third floors faster than a crane and with more control than a forklift. 

Best Bobcat Telehandler Model: TL723 

5. Unloading Heavy Equipment from Flatbeds

No loading dock? No problem. Use a telehandler to unload generators, compressors, and attachments straight off the truck. 

Best Bobcat Telehandler Model: TL723 

6. Transporting Lumber and Logs

Move cut logs, beams, and raw timber at sawmills, logging sites, and construction zones. 

Best Bobcat Telehandler Model: TL723 

7. Installing Signs, Light Fixtures, or Utility Poles

Set commercial signs, light poles, and electrical fixtures without needing a full crane setup. 

Best Bobcat Telehandler Model: TL723 

8. Lifting Industrial Pipes and Rebar Bundles

Ideal for handling long steel, PVC pipes, or bundled rebar—better reach than a forklift, more mobility than a crane. 

Best Bobcat Telehandler Model: TL723 

9. Placing Roof Trusses and Wall Panels

Position roof trusses and prefabricated wall sections quickly, reducing the need for extra crew members. 

Best Bobcat Telehandler Model: TL923 

Note: If you plan on using a truss boom attachment, it is only compatible with the TL519. 

10. Moving Materials Across Muddy or Uneven Ground

When a forklift gets stuck, a telehandler’s four-wheel drive and ground clearance keep things moving. 

Best Bobcat Telehandler Model: TL923 

11. Lifting Large HVAC Units for Installation

Reaches rooftops and upper floors to place air conditioning units, ductwork, and ventilation systems. 

Best Bobcat Telehandler Model: TL923 

12. Handling Heavy Stone, Brick, and Concrete Blocks

Moves palletized bricks, precast concrete slabs, and stone blocks on uneven terrain. 

Best Bobcat Telehandler Model: TL923 

13. Placing and Staging Shipping Containers

Positions empty or loaded containers in ports, construction sites, or storage yards—no crane required. 

Best Bobcat Telehandler Model: TL923 

The Wrong Jobs for a Telescopic Forklift

1. Moving Small Pallets in Tight Warehouse Aisles

Too bulky for precision indoor work—use a reach truck or warehouse forklift instead.

2. Lifting Fragile Materials Like Glass or Electronics

Too much power, not enough control. You run the risk of crushing or tipping delicate items. Depending on the size of your job, you could either use an electric forklift with a glass handling attachment or an articulating boom lift with a vacuum glass lifter or a material handling hook.

3. Hoisting Workers to Perform Overhead Tasks

Telescopic forklifts are not made for lifting personnel. Use a boom lift or scissor lift instead.

4. Lifting Heavy Loads Above 25 Feet

The lift height on a Bobcat TL923 (our largest model) caps out at 23 feet. But even if you’re using a different telehandler, they tend to lose stability and lifting power at extreme heights. In this case, use a crane instead.

5. Repetitive Ground-Level Lifting

If you’re moving hundreds of pallets a day, a forklift is faster and more efficient.

Telescopic Forklift vs. Other Equipment

If your job site needs height, reach, and power on rough terrain, a telescopic forklift is the tool for the job. 

A standard forklift works better in warehouses and tight job sites. Most have a max height between 10 and 15 feet, making these machines ideal for pallets and loading docks. 

A crane is the better call if your lifting requirements are much higher than the capabilities of a telehandler. These are slower to set up, but they’re built for extreme weight at extreme heights. 

And if you’re lifting people instead of materials? Use an aerial lift. It’s made to do just that. 

How Fast Is a Telescopic Forklift Compared to a Forklift or Crane?

Loading & Unloading: 

• Telescopic Forklift: Faster than a crane, but slower than a forklift in tight spaces. Best for moving big, heavy loads on rough terrain because it has four steering modes (All-Wheel, Front-Wheel, Crab, and Semi-Crab). If you’re operating off pavement, choose a telehandler. 

• Forklift: Fastest for palletized loads, but limited reach. 

• Crane: Slowest—setup will take some time. Ideal for extreme heights but not for quick moves. 

Job Site Speed & Workflow: 

• Telescopic Forklift: speeds up material handling on job sites where height and reach matter 

• Forklift: fastest for moving palletized loads on smooth ground but limited by lift height and reach 

• Crane: best for heavy lifting, but it takes longer to rig and move loads 

If a forklift can’t reach and a crane takes too long, use a telescopic forklift. It’ll usually be faster, both on specific tasks and on overall job site efficiency. 

Is a Telescopic Forklift Right for You?

So, are you looking at one of those 13 jobs? Are you maneuvering across a lot of rough terrain? Or do you need more speed in your daily operations? If the answer is yes, then it’s a good day to look at telehandlers! Before purchasing a telescopic forklift, here’s a couple questions to ask yourself. Going through this checklist will help you make sure that you don’t buy the wrong piece of equipment for your job requirements. 

Need to move loads up and over obstacles? If the answer’s yes, then the telehandler is for you. 

Need to dig, scoop, move, lift, or stack materials while maintaining a stable base? If the answer’s yes, then check out a telehandler. 

Working on rough ground? If the answer’s yes, then go with the telescopic forklift. 

Using it daily, weekly, or monthly? If the answer’s yes, then buying a telehandler makes the most sense for you! 

Need a Bobcat Telescopic Forklift?

If you’re looking at a job that requires a telescopic forklift, a Bobcat TL619, TL723, or TL923 is a great way to go. If you’re in North Texas, we’d love to talk to you! Contact your Bobcat of North Texas telehandler sales rep to get started.