Skid Steer Loader or Telehandler: Which One Should You Use?
When it comes to ag equipment and construction equipment, you have a lot of different choices. Chances are, there are multiple pieces of equipment that can be used for any given job. But what’s the best choice?
This question comes up a lot when talking about skid steer loaders and telehandlers. Both are similar, but each has unique advantages that make them best suited for certain tasks.
We’re going to take a look at both pieces of equipment and explain when it’s best to use a skid steer loader, and when it’s best to use a telehandler.
When to Use a Skid Steer Loader
Skid steer loaders are extremely versatile machines. The wide variety of attachments and sizes means they can be used for all sorts of tasks.
Like any loader, skid steers excel at digging and back dragging. Their compact size and excellent maneuverability also allow them to access tighter areas that other machines can’t. This makes them a popular choice in a number of different industries, including construction, landscaping, and mining.
Besides digging tasks like landscaping and trenching, skid steer loaders are also great for minor demolition, moving heavy materials, leveling, debris removal, road maintenance, brush clearing and snow removal.
However, as versatile as a skid steer loader is, it does have its drawbacks. Because it doesn’t have a telescopic boom like a telehandler, it has a limited reach. It can’t lift or pick up items that are too high off the ground, so it’s best used for dealing with materials that are at ground level.
When to Use a Telehandler
A telehandler is similar to a skid steer loader and can be used for many of the same tasks, such as moving and lifting heavy materials. However, its telescopic boom makes it more like a forklift or a crane, rather than a loader.
A telehandler is best used for grabbing items that are high off the ground, or lifting items that need to be deposited in hard to reach places. They can be fitted with several different attachments to accommodate a wide range of jobs and can lift items 50 feet up or more.
Telehandlers are great for reaching into high-sided trailers or hoppers, loading and unloading items on high shelves, and grabbing hay bails that are stored high off the ground. They can also be fitted with a basket to transport personnel to high-up places.
Because telehandlers are designed to deal with items and materials located above them, they are not suitable for digging or clearing tasks.
Do You Have Questions About Our Ag and Construction Equipment?
We always love speaking to customers and answering questions. If you’d like more information about any of the ag or construction equipment we carry, feel free to contact us or come visit us in person.
