Rough-terrain and vertical-mast forklifts keep picking up and placing various construction supplies on different jobsites even through the rise and evolution of telehandlers on the market. There are numerous conventional-style forklifts available in the material handling business which lost market share to telehandlers. This happened specially when the competition broke onto the construction scene. Ever since that time, sales numbers have stabilized. Vertical-mast lift trucks have re-surfaced and seem to be becoming more popular again due to their greater efficiency, modification of certain telehandler-like features and low cost.
The straight mast lift truck can finish double the job as a telehandler due to their excellent maneuverability and handling in combination with their better ground speed. Interestingly enough, rental companies are starting to charge higher rates on straight-mast models.
Rental purchasers are having significant influence in the rough-terrain lift truck industry. More than half of all vertical-mast forklifts are now being sold to a rental yard. These purchases are normally driven mostly by use, which is a factor closely followed by acquisition price.
Within the material handling business, the telehandler has become the darling new equipment. Its popularity has enhanced its advantage in the rental market too. Their overall expansion has been moderated by their higher price. There is some forklift users who feel that telehandlers are not practically as productive as opposed to traditional rough-terrain lift trucks for loading and unloading repetitive tasks. This means that even if competition amongst telehandler marketers has lowered their prices, many prefer the RT lift trucks which have been performing well for decades.
In comparison, the telehandler is a little slower, ganglier to operate and requires a higher level of skillfulness to finish the task. On the upside, they get the reach if they need it. There will continuously be a place within the business for forklifts however, as there are locations which you will not be able to access with a telehandler.
The rough-terrain forklift is small, compact and can carry a heavier load vertically compared to the telehandler. Basically, in order to utilize the best equipment for your application, you should determine what jobs precisely you would be completing, the type of circumstances and environment you will be operating in and what your load capacity is. These factors will help you decide what the best alternatives available are.