Hiring a telehandler? ASHBROOK has one of the largest independently owned telehandler fleets in the UK. Consequently, we know a thing or two about them!

So, what do you need to know when you’re hiring a telehandler…?

All terrain telescopic handlers, also known as telehandlers, teleports, boom lifts, loadalls or all-terrain forklift trucks, are a versatile machine used for a wide range of lifting jobs. But with all this versatility how do you know that you’re picking the right machine for the job?

Our ASHBROOK expert, Paul Pitney, General Manager, answers all the questions you’ll need to know.

1. What specification of telehandler would I need?

Consider what job the machine will be doing. Understand what height you wish to lift material to and what weight that material will be. A careful balance is needed to ensure the safety of operators and site staff.

Will the machine be working in confined spaces? In which case, you’ll need a model that can get you out of a tight spot, the JCB 516-40 is waiting for you. Do you require the machine to lift up to 4t? Then the JCB 540 range is the one. Or does it need to operate smoothly and safely at heights of 20m? It’s the JCB 540-200, for this job.

Use the machines load charts and speak to the company you are hiring from in order to get the best machine for the job.

Or try the ASHBROOK Product Picker to select the most suitable telehandler for your needs.

2. What height telehandlers are there?

They range in size from 4m right up to the largest specialist telehandler boom in the world. This is reported to be a massive 45m!

When hiring a telehandler from ASHBROOK our fleet range in size from 4m to 20m booms. We have carefully selected our range to meet the needs of our customers.

3. What attachments and additions do telehandlers come with?

ASHBROOK telehandlers come with pallet forks as standard. We can also supply buckets, road brushes, tipping skips, muck grabs and bale spikes. Just let us know what you’ll need at the time of booking. Or tell us what job you’re undertaking and our skilled hire team can suggest the most appropriate attachments for your needs.

Our construction machines come with construction standard tyres. These offer the best grip for site work. However, if you require a machine for festival use, for example, you may want grass tyres. Working in a recycling centre, then solid/foam-filled tyres could be needed. These can all be supplied; you just need to specify at the time of hiring.

4. Will the machine be reliable?

Before hiring a telehandler it’s worth looking into the reputation of the company. Are they CPA members, IPAF and Constructionline accredited? Have they gained ISO qualifications? What do the online reviews say about them? All of these indicators will show that the business is independently monitored, ensuring that safe and reliable machines are hired out time and time again?

At ASHBROOK we’re very proud of all our accreditations. We have an excellent customer retention rate and regularly renew our fleet. Therefore, we are trusted by many companies, from small start-ups to large multinationals to deliver a reliable, top-quality machine to their projects.

Our knowledgeable maintenance department ensures that all machines are inspected before and after use. They are washed, cleaned and disinfected internally and externally, along with being greased and prepped before moving on to the next hire. Our telehandler fleet is serviced every 500 hours, which is in line with industry standards.

In addition to this, JCB Livelink functionality is included as standard across the range. This means that the maintenance team can monitor machine health from afar, including fuel level, hours of operation, physical location, and improve first fix rates, to name just a few benefits.

5. Why a JCB telehandler?

Since the 1970s JCB telehandlers have been leading the way, consistently outperforming the competition by delivering reliable and efficient telehandlers (loadalls) to the marketplace.

Their permanent focus on innovation means that the current range of construction loadalls feature the JCB Ecomax or Dieselmax engines, unrivalled in their class.

They ensure the best available manoeuvrability through the advent of three steer modes. These are known as, two-wheel steer, which is ideal for travelling at higher speeds on the road; four-wheel steer for working in tight spaces; and crab steer for manoeuvring close to walls and buildings.

When hiring a telehandler from ASHBROOK, all our models are from JCB, allowing us to supply our customers with the best possible hire experience.

6. Do I need additional insurance when hiring a telehandler?

Some companies will include insurance in the initial hire. At ASHBROOK we keep this separate allowing the customer flexibility and money-saving opportunities. By either adding the telehandler to their own insurance policy or shopping around for the best option for them.

We can, of course, suggest suppliers and find that the JCB short-term plant hire policies suit many of our customers.  Other policies are available.

7. What licence do I need to drive a telehandler?

If you are going to drive the telehandler on the road, as well as the appropriate insurance, you would also need the relevant UK Driving Licence.

To use a telehandler in the workplace, whether this is in agriculture, construction or a similar place, your employer has a duty of care to ensure that you are properly trained to operate the machinery. Training can be acquired through the NPORS or CPCS training schemes, which ensure that operators fully understand the theoretical and practical elements of successful telehandler use.

It’s very important that your qualification covers you for the right size and type of machine and if you are in any doubt please contact your local NPORS/CPCS training centre.

8. How do I read a telehandler load chart?

Like many aerial machines, telehandlers are rated for their load capacity, height and outreach. In order to ensure safe operation, all telehandlers come with a load capacity chart for the attachment that will be used. This will provide the operator with a lot of useful safe operation information, such as how much it can lift, how high it can lift the load and at what angle.

The load capacity chart contains a grid showing reach from the front face of the front tyre and heights relative to the vehicle’s supporting face.

Operating Range– shows the minimum and maximum boom angles and the fully retracted and extended boom positions.

Operating Envelope– is located relative to the load centre position of the attachment being used.

Load Zones– indicate the maximum weight that may be safely lifted at a certain angle.

Load Centre– must be equal to or less than the value shown on the chart.

Therefore, to use the load charts effectively the operator must know three things:

1. How much the material being lifted weighs.
2. How high the material being lifted needs to go.
3. The specification of the telehandler load capabilities.

It is incredibly important that these charts are fully understood before any work begins. Training through NPORS or CPCS schemes will facilitate this.

9. Do I need anti-sway protection on the telehandler I hire?

This comes back to understanding the basics; how high do you wish to lift the material and what weight is it?

ASHBROOK machines can be supplied with jack legs to help against sway. Once you are lifting over 12m it may be worth moving up to the 14m machine to give this extra level of protection.

10. Why do I need a telehandler and not a forklift or a skid steer loader?

Telehandlers are specifically designed to carry out the role of a skid steer loader, wheeled loader and a forklift all in one. They will enable the placement and retrieval of loads at heights- they are the ultimate flexible machine!

Not sure which telehandler you require?

When hiring a telehandler you need to match the weight of the material to the height and reach capabilities of the machine. Use the ASHBROOK Telehandler Product Picker to help you.