Telehandler Lifting Capacity: How Much Do You Really Need?

[Jared Allen]

Hey folks,

I’m in the market for a telehandler and trying to figure out what lifting capacity actually makes sense for most job sites. I’ve seen everything from 5,000 to 12,000+ lbs, but I don’t want to overspend on something way overkill. Most of my work involves moving pallets of materials, light steel, and the occasional HVAC unit. What capacity have you found to be the sweet spot for general construction use? Would love to hear what you're using and if you've ever regretted going bigger or smaller.

 

[_jkasExcavator001]

I’d say 6,000–8,000 lbs is the sweet spot for most general jobs, it's plenty of muscle without going overboard. I went bigger once and ended up with a beast that barely fit half the sites I worked. Lesson learned!