Telescopic wheel loader: telescopic handler and wheel loader in one
A central cab like a wheel loader, but a telescopic arm like a telehandler? This is the telescopic wheel loader.
The telescopic wheel loader is the all-rounder when it comes to transporting and loading goods on farms. It impresses in particular with its narrow track width and excellent maneuverability, but also with its telescopic arm, which enables loading at greater heights. Telescopic wheel loaders are therefore very popular not only on farms, but also in the construction industry and logistics.
Design features of telescopic wheel loaders
Probably the most striking feature of a telescopic wheel loader is its telescopic arm, which usually reaches a lifting height of four to six meters. The machines are often based on wheel loaders, with the telescopic arm attached instead of the swing arm. As a result, the arm of the telescopic wheel loader is positioned centrally in front of the driver's cab and the cab also has a central position. Otherwise, the design features of a telescopic wheel loader are particularly similar to those of a normal wheel loader: A narrow track width and high maneuverability are just as common as a hydrostatic transmission.
What is the difference between a telescopic wheel loader and a telehandler?
Even though the names of the two machines are very similar, telescopic handlers and telescopic wheel loaders are very different in terms of their design features. Even non-experts will notice the different positioning of the telescopic arm and cab: While the cab of the telehandler is shifted to the left to make room for the telescopic arm on the right, the cab of the telescopic wheel loader and arm are positioned centrally. This gives inexperienced drivers in particular a better overview on the telescopic wheel loader, as driving is similar to operating a normal wheel loader. At the same time, however, this design feature also limits the maximum lifting height of the telescopic wheel loader. For this reason, telescopic wheel loaders are only available with a maximum lifting height of around 4-6 m, while lifting heights of up to 17.5 m are not uncommon for larger models of telehandlers.
In addition, the telescopic wheel loader has a smaller track width than a telehandler due to its similar design to a wheel loader. This makes the telescopic wheel loader much more maneuverable and is particularly suitable for loading in confined spaces or buildings. However, this type of design is also associated with reduced stability of the machine. Particular care must therefore be taken when loading heavy goods at maximum lifting height.
In a nutshell:
Advantages of a telescopic wheel loader compared to a telehandler:
- Greater overview
- Greater maneuverability
- Centered cab and arm ensure wheel loader-like handling
Disadvantages of a telescopic wheel loader compared to a telescopic loader:
- Lower maximum lifting height
- Lower stability
Which brands offer telescopic wheel loaders?
Various brands now have telescopic wheel loaders in their portfolio. Depending on the company's focus, the telescopic wheel loaders are designed for a specific area (e.g. agriculture or construction) or for general use. We currently have telescopic wheel loaders from the following brands in our range: