Masonry Magazine April 2003 Page. 21
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ES, SOME DO LOOK LIKE THE PROVERBIAL ELEPHANT,
designed by committee. OK, most look that way.
They combine the forklift's forks with the crane's
boom and the all-wheel drive-and multi-wheel
steering-of a rough terrain forklift. They sneak into
small spaces with crab-like wheel movement,
extend their reach to five or six floors with
telescopic hydraulics, and they lift what needs to be raised,
gently placing it with great precision.
They're called telehandlers and they could be a mason
contractor's best choice for all-around versatility. In fact,
according to Guy Ramsey, an editor at Lift Equipment
magazine, "Many jobs once performed by rough-terrain,
vertical-mast forklifts are now handled by these more
versatile products; and, in some cases, telehandlers are
replacing cranes on job sites. The variety of attachments
currently available is extensive. In the coming year, we
expect to see an emphasis on innovative attachment tools
from several manufacturers."
As Scott Cooper, senior project engineer for Caterpillar,
Cary, N.C. explains, "Telehandlers allow the operator to lift
heavier material higher on the job site with unmatched
visibility to the forks. The operator has better machine
balance and control, allowing for safer movement around the
area. The CAT Telehandler, for example, allows you to have a
The Voice of the Mason Contractor
more versatile machine by using the hydraulic quick coupler
to switch tools rapidly, thus increasing productivity. Rotate
and side shift carriages allow more flexibility in placing the
load without moving the machine. Caterpillar offers a single
joystick control system allowing an individual to work three
simultaneous functions at one time, enabling the operator to
have maximum control over his load and it's placement."
How can a mason contractor benefit from using a
telehandler instead of a forklift? David Bristow, vice president
of CareLift Equipment, Breslau, Ontario, explains some of the
versatile ways. "In addition to the standard use of forks, the
telehandler allows the mason contractor to disconnect the fork
carriage and attach a material handling bucket allowing
multitask flexibility with one machine. The telehandler also
offers greater reach heights beyond the limits of a traditional
forklift and provides forward reach capability, allowing the
mason contractor to place products inside a building. This is a
significant feature with telehandlers."
For example, the CareLift Zoom Boom model ZB8044
provides a forward reach of 30 feet with a load rating of
2,000 lbs. without the use of outriggers. In addition to frame-
leveling capability, a side-tilt carriage is also a popular option
that allows the operator to adjust the carriage side-to-side
after the load has been extended without having to re-
position the machine.
April 2003
Masonry 19