Rough-terrain and vertical-mast lift trucks keep lifting and placing various construction materials on different jobsites even through the rise and evolution of telehandlers on the market. There are lots of traditional-style forklifts offered within the material handling industry which lost market share to telehandlers. This occurred specially when the challenger broke onto the construction scene. Ever since that time, sales numbers have become stable. Vertical-mast forklifts have re-emerged and seem to be becoming more popular once more because of their greater productivity, modification of certain telehandler-like features and low cost.
The straight mast forklift could complete twice the work as a telehandler because of their superior maneuverability and handling in addition to their better ground speed. Fascinatingly enough, rental companies are starting to charge higher rates on straight-mast units.
Rental purchasers are having significant influence within the rough-terrain forklift industry. More than 50 percent of all vertical-mast forklifts are currently being sold to a rental yard. These acquisitions are generally driven mainly by utilization, which is a factor closely followed by purchase price.
Within the material handling industry, the telehandler has become the darling new machine. Its popularity has enhanced its advantage in the rental market as well. Their overall expansion has been moderated by their higher price. There is several lift truck users who feel that telehandlers are not practically as helpful as opposed to traditional rough-terrain forklifts for unloading and loading repetitive jobs. This means that even if competition among telehandler marketers has lowered their prices, many prefer the RT forklifts which have been performing well for decades.
The telehandler is a bit slower equipment in comparison to a rough terrain lift truck unit. They are also ganglier to use and requires a higher level of skill to finish the job. On the upside, they get the reach if they need it. There will always be a place within the industry for forklifts however, as there are places which you could not access with a telehandler.
The rough-terrain lift truck is small, compact and could carry a heavier cargo vertically as opposed to the telehandler. Basically, so as to use the best machinery for your application, you will need to determine what jobs exactly you will be accomplishing, the kind of circumstances and environment you would be operating in and what your load capacity is. These factors will help you decide what the right options available are.