Teletruk

Teletruk is a class of forklift equipped with a forward-mounted, hydraulically extended telescopic boom and a load carriage at the end of the boom. This configuration allows the forks to reach forward of the vehicle’s front axle, enabling loading and unloading from trailers, docks, or storage racks without the truck having to back in or reposition.

Design and operation: The boom extends in the direction of travel, carrying the forklift’s load carriage to the load. The operator typically sits behind the rear axle, using controls to extend, retract, lift, and tilt the forks. Lift heights and forward reach vary by model. Payloads commonly range from around 2 to 5 tons, with capacity decreasing as reach increases.

Advantages: The forward reach can improve visibility and alignment when handling pallets, reduce the need to maneuver the truck in tight spaces, and speed up docking and unloading in warehouses and on loading bays. It is especially useful for loading pallets from trucks, containers, and trailers and for working close to racking.

Limitations: Teletruks tend to be more expensive and mechanically complex than standard forklifts, requiring additional maintenance and operator training. Maximum stability and lift height are constrained by the extended boom, and performance can be reduced at full extension.

Applications and manufacturers: The best-known teletruk concept is marketed under Toyota Material Handling as the Teletruk, but similar forward-reaching, telescoping-boom forklifts are produced by other manufacturers. They are used in warehousing, retail logistics, manufacturing, and port operations where front-loading is advantageous.