Telehandler Attachments: Forks, Buckets, Jibs and Platforms
What each telehandler attachment does, when to use forks, a bucket, a jib or a work platform, and what to ask before renting one in the UAE.
Short answer: pallet forks handle most telehandler work, a bucket moves loose material such as sand and aggregate, a jib turns the telehandler into a small crane for slung loads, and a man basket lifts people for short tasks where a dedicated platform is not practical. Each attachment changes the machine's capacity, so the load chart for that attachment is the one that counts.
| Attachment | Used for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Pallet forks | Blocks, palletized materials, formwork | Capacity drops as the boom extends |
| Bucket | Sand, aggregate, site clean-up | Not a substitute for a loader on big volumes |
| Lifting jib or hook | Slung loads: pipes, steel, small plant | Uses a separate, lower load chart |
| Man basket | Short-duration work at height | Must be approved for that machine and rated for people |
| Fork positioner or rotator | Mixed loads and awkward placements | Adds weight, reducing net capacity |
Why the Attachment Changes Capacity
A telehandler's rated capacity assumes a specific attachment at a specific load centre. A jib holds the load further out, so its chart allows less. A man basket must be recognised by the machine's manufacturer and normally comes with its own control and overload system. Never fit an attachment that is not listed for that telehandler model.
What to Ask When Renting
- ✓Which attachments come with the machine and which cost extra
- ✓That each attachment has its own load chart in the cab
- ✓Whether the man basket is approved for that model and inspected
- ✓Whether the operator is trained on the attachment you will use
Seven Lift supplies telehandlers across the UAE with forks as standard and other attachments on request. Our telehandler fleet page lists reach and capacity ranges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a telehandler be used as a crane?+
Yes, with a lifting jib or hook attachment approved for that model, using the jib's own load chart. For heavy or long-radius lifts, a mobile crane is the right machine.
Can you lift people with a telehandler?+
Only with a man basket approved by the manufacturer for that telehandler, inspected, and used by a trained operator. For longer work at height, a boom lift is usually safer and cheaper.
Related Pages
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