Category: Blog
Date: June 16, 2021

The telehandler is one of the most widely used pieces of equipment in a variety of job sites. The machine is highly valued for its multi-purpose capabilities as it can be used for lifting, moving and stacking of materials. Cat® offers a wide range of telehandlers which are designed to meet the varied needs of your operations. At Al-Bahar, we offer a range of new and used telehandlers for sale in UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar. However, having the right equipment is only half the job done. If you want to get the level of performance that your equipment is capable of, then you need to follow a few tips. But, before you we get to that, let us first understand the basic structure of a telehandler.

The Basic Structure of a Telehandler

Telehandlers, also known as telescopic handlers or zoom boom, are mainly made of the following parts.

  1. The telescopic boom, with comes with attachments like forks, buckets, etc.
  2. The cab, where the operator controls the machine
  3. The wheels and undercarriage.

Different models and make might have differences in the design, and sometimes, the difference might be significant. However, the overall structure would remain the same.

Pre-Operation Tips

In order to get the desired level of performance from your telehandler, you start your planning before you start the machine. Here are some of the things that you should do when you operate your telescopic handler.

  1. Proper Training

It would be hard to stress enough on the importance of proper training. By ‘proper’ training, we are referring to both general training and hands-on practical training. Both you and the operator should thoroughly read the operator’s manual and follow the proper operation and safety recommendations. You should not ignore the safety signs on the machine as well. This would not only help you to get the maximum efficiency but it would also help you to ensure safety.

When you are operating your telehandler, you should always have a proper load capacity chart. The chart should match the machine that you use and the attachment that you are using. The load charts should be clearly visible when you are setting up the normal operating position.

  1. Follow the Safety Rules & Regulations

If you are operating in the UAE, then you would have to follow the industrial safety regulations as laid down by the authorities like the Federal Environmental Agency (FEA), National Emergency Crisis & Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) and the likes. In other jurisdictions, you would follow the rules set by the local authorities. So, you need to ensure that you follow all those rules while operating your telehandler. In some cases, you would need to make certain adjustments to the site to ensure complete adherence to the rules.

  1. Workplace Hazard Assessment

When you are ready with your telehandler, and you are looking to move it to the job site, you would need to conduct workplace hazard assessment. This would make you aware of the hazards like holes and drop-offs, slopes, unstable surfaces, overhead obstacles like power lines that might cause issues.

Tips to Follow Before You Start the Work

When you have your telehandler at the site and ready for work, you should follow these steps to ensure efficiency and safety.

  1. Test and Inspection

Before you start the shift, you would need to conduct a thorough inspection of the vehicle. Cat® has its own set of recommended checks that you need to run before every shift. You can ask your dealer for any recommended checks that should be performed. If you find any issues, get it resolved before you operate.

  1. Know Your Load

When you are operating your Cat® telehandler, you need to understand the load that you are handling. There are some things that are critical for getting the optimum performance from the machine. For example, you should ensure that the weight and the centre of the gravity of the load does not exceed the recommended limits. It is also important that you look at the dimensions of the load so that you can decide on the right handling techniques. If there is a chance of falling debris, you need to secure the load properly to the attachment that you are using.

Tips to Follow While Operating the Telehandler

When you are operating your telehandler, you need to follow these steps to ensure optimum performance.

  1. Suspended loads and Personnel Loads

When you are operating, you should realize that there are additional restrictions that should be followed, by the operators as well as the owner of the equipment. You should refer to OSHA regulations as well as the recommendations of the manufacturer while operating the telescopic handler.

  1. Focus on the Stability Triangle

The combined centre of gravity and the load handled by the telehandler should always remain within the stability triangle. The following steps would help you achieve that.

  • Stick to a safe speed that will keep the machine and the load under control.
  • The chassis should be level while handling the load.
  • Try to avoid using the sway feature when working on an elevated road.
  • You need to keep the boom and the load as low as possible when moving.
  1. Safety Inside the Cab

The operator should wear the seatbelt when operating the telehandler. You should make suitable seat adjustments so that you can reach the controls with ease and the mirrors should also be adjusted so that you get maximum visibility.

  1. Safety while Tipping

You should not jump from the machine if the telehandler tips over. You should stay in the seat, keep the belt fastened and then brace for impact by grabbing the steering wheel and leaning away from the point of impact.

These are some of the tips that you should follow while operating your telehandler. To choose from our range of certified used Cat® telehandlers, click here and get a quote.