One Telehandler, Five Attachments: How Contractors Get More From One Machine

A telehandler is often described as a rough terrain forklift, but forks are only the beginning of what the machine can do. With the correct manufacturer-approved attachment, a telehandler can move pallets, handle loose material, place roof trusses, lift suspended loads, position materials around obstacles and perform other specialized jobs.

That versatility can help contractors use one machine across several phases of a project. The important phrase, however, is the correct approved attachment. A bucket, carriage, hook or platform may physically connect to a telehandler and still be incompatible with its coupler, hydraulics, load chart or rated capacity.

This telehandler attachment guide covers the five attachments most contractors ask about:

1. Forks and fork carriages
2. Material buckets
3. Truss booms and jib booms
4. Lifting hooks
5. Approved work platforms

It also explains side-shift and swing carriages, auxiliary hydraulics, quick-attach systems, fork-mounted attachments and specialty telehandler attachments available for construction, masonry, roofing, agriculture, utilities and industrial work.

Quick Answer: What Attachments Can You Put on a Telehandler?

Depending on the manufacturer and model, telehandler attachments can include pallet forks, lumber forks, cubing or block forks, fork extensions, standard carriages, side-tilt carriages, side-shift carriages, swing carriages, fork-positioning carriages, material buckets, light-material buckets, grapple buckets, 4-in-1 buckets, truss booms, jib booms, lifting hooks, spreader bars, winches, work platforms, pipe grapples, trash hoppers, sweepers, tire handlers, augers, bale clamps, skid steer adapters and other specialty tools.

Not every attachment is approved for every machine. Buyers should verify the telehandler make, model, serial-number range, coupler style, hydraulic requirements, attachment weight, rated capacity and attachment-specific load chart before purchase or use.

1. Telehandler Forks and Carriages

Forks are the most common telehandler attachment because they handle the materials found on nearly every construction site. Standard pallet forks move palletized loads, while other fork designs are better suited to lumber, block, cubed material or longer loads.

Common Types of Telehandler Forks

Pallet forks are designed for general palletized materials such as roofing, bagged products, mechanical equipment and packaged supplies.

Lumber forks are typically wider and may be longer than standard pallet forks. They help support lumber, drywall and other long materials.

Cubing or block forks use narrower tines that can fit openings in masonry cubes and block packages.

Fork extensions increase the supporting length of approved forks for certain long loads. Extensions do not increase the telehandler's lifting capacity, and they can move the load center farther away from the carriage. The machine's approved instructions and capacity information still control the lift.

Carriage Styles Matter as Much as the Forks

The carriage connects the forks to the telehandler boom. Carriage width, fork mounting style and movement can change how effectively the machine places material.

Common telehandler carriage types include:

Standard carriage: A fixed carriage for routine material handling.

Side-tilt carriage: Tilts the load from side to side to help level materials on uneven ground or an uneven landing surface.

Side-shift carriage: Moves the carriage left or right for more precise placement without repositioning the entire telehandler.

Swing carriage: Rotates the load to the left or right, helping place material around corners or through tight openings.

Fork-positioning carriage: Hydraulically adjusts fork spacing from the cab on compatible machines.

Dual fork-positioning carriage: Allows controlled adjustment for loads of different widths.

Tower or mast carriage: Adds vertical positioning for specific placement applications.

Sheet-material swing carriage: Supports and positions sheet goods in applications approved by the manufacturer.

2. Telehandler Buckets

Can you put a bucket on a telehandler? Yes, if the bucket is approved for that telehandler and matches its coupler, hydraulic requirements and attachment load chart.

A telehandler bucket can make one machine more useful for cleanup, landscaping, snow removal, agriculture, stockpile management and the movement of loose material. Common bucket types include:

Material bucket: Moves dirt, gravel, mulch, snow and jobsite debris.

Light-material bucket: Provides greater volume for lower-density materials.

Multi-purpose bucket: Handles several material-moving tasks with one attachment.

4-in-1 bucket: May open, clamp, carry, dump and perform limited grading functions when approved for the machine.

Grapple bucket: Uses a hydraulic grapple to secure brush, scrap or irregular material.

Fork-mounted bucket: Connects to an approved fork setup instead of directly to the quick coupler.

Does a Bucket Reduce Telehandler Capacity?

The bucket's own weight becomes part of the total load handled by the machine. Its size and center of gravity can also affect capacity. Operators must use the load chart supplied for the exact telehandler and bucket combination rather than relying on the machine's maximum advertised lifting capacity.

3. Telehandler Truss Booms and Jib Booms

A telehandler truss boom moves the lifting point forward of the normal carriage. It is commonly used to pick, position and place:

• Roof trusses
• Beams
• Pipe
• Frames
• Long structural components
• Other approved suspended loads

Truss booms may be fixed-length, adjustable or extendable. Some models include several hook positions, while others may be configured with an approved winch.

What Is the Difference Between a Truss Boom and a Jib Boom?

A truss boom is generally designed to provide additional reach for placing long construction materials such as roof trusses and beams. A jib boom provides an extended lifting point for suspended loads and may be shorter or heavier-duty, depending on the design. Manufacturers sometimes use these terms differently, so the attachment manual and load chart should define the approved use.

Skyjack, for example, documents 6-foot, 12-foot and 15-foot truss boom configurations for selected models, along with a high-capacity jib boom for approved under-slung loads. Genie offers fixed or variable truss booms for specific GTH telehandlers.

Why Added Reach Changes the Lift

A truss boom extends the load farther from the machine. As the load center moves forward, the telehandler's available capacity can decrease substantially. The attachment's stated maximum rating is not permission to lift that amount at every boom angle, boom extension or hook position.

Before lifting, the operator must use the attachment-specific load chart for the exact machine configuration. The chart accounts for the attachment, boom angle, boom extension and allowable load.

4. Telehandler Lifting Hooks

A telehandler lifting hook provides an approved connection point for certain suspended loads. Depending on the manufacturer, the hook may be:

• Coupler-mounted
• Carriage-mounted
• Fork-mounted
• Integrated into an approved carriage or lifting shackle
• Part of a jib, spreader-bar or lift-and-tow system

Lifting hooks can be useful for setting equipment, handling bundled materials, placing components and lifting loads that cannot be supported safely on forks.

A Lift Hook Is Not Just a Hook on a Fork

Improvised rigging can change the load center, side-load forks, damage components or create an unstable suspended load. Contractors should use the manufacturer-approved lifting point and follow the machine's suspended-load instructions.

Several manufacturers offer model-specific hook attachments. Genie lists approved third-party lift hooks for specific GTH models, while JLG's official catalog includes coupler-mounted and fork-mounted lifting hooks for selected JLG, SkyTrak, Gradall and Lull telehandlers. 

What Must Be Checked Before Lifting a Suspended Load?

Confirm all of the following:

1. The telehandler is approved for the attachment and suspended-load application.
2. The correct attachment-specific load chart is in the cab.
3. The attachment, hook, shackle, sling and rigging are rated for the load.
4. The load weight and center of gravity are known.
5. The rigging is controlled and cannot slip off the lifting point.
6. The ground, frame level, tires, boom angle and boom extension meet the load-chart conditions.
7. The operator follows the manufacturer's requirements for travel, positioning and tag lines.

5. Telehandler Work Platforms

Can a telehandler lift people in a work platform? Some telehandlers can, but only when the machine is designed and approved for that purpose and the correct personnel work platform is used according to the manufacturer, applicable regulations and site requirements.

A material bucket, pallet, makeshift basket or ordinary attachment must never be used as a personnel platform.

Approved work platforms are available for selected telehandler models and may include guardrails, toe boards, fork pockets, attachment points and other required features. Genie lists third-party personnel platforms in several sizes for specific GTH models. JLG also documents fork-mounted work platforms for selected machines in its attachment catalog.

OSHA explains that rough-terrain forklifts may support personnel platforms only when the equipment is designed for that use. The platform must be attached to the forks, and the forklift must not be moved horizontally while the platform is occupied. Capacity, construction, access, use, fall protection and training requirements also apply. Read OSHA's interpretation on personnel platforms supported by rough-terrain forklifts.

Because manufacturer instructions, federal standards, state rules and jobsite policies may all apply, contractors should confirm every requirement before using a telehandler work platform.

Beyond the Main Five: Other Telehandler Attachments Available

The five categories above cover the most common construction applications, but OEM attachment catalogs document many additional tools. Availability depends on the telehandler make, model, coupler, hydraulics and approved application

JLG's catalog includes carriages, several bucket styles, lifting hooks, work platforms, truss booms, material-handling arms, pipe grapples, sweepers, tire handlers, trash hoppers, forks and fork extensions. Genie additionally documents augers, industrial grapple buckets, skid steer adapters, trailer spotters, spreader bars and pipe-handling attachments for selected models. These catalogs demonstrate why “telehandler attachment” is a broad category rather than a universal connection standard.

How Telehandler Attachment Compatibility Works

1. The Coupler or Quick-Attach System Must Match

Telehandler quick-attach systems are not universally interchangeable. Even machines from the same manufacturer may use different couplers based on model, capacity class or production year.

A physically close fit is not enough. The attachment must lock correctly using the approved pins, latches or hydraulic locking system.

2. The Machine Must Have the Required Auxiliary Hydraulics

Standard forks and fixed carriages may not need an auxiliary hydraulic circuit. Side-shift carriages, fork positioners, grapple buckets, 4-in-1 buckets, augers, winches and other powered attachments may require auxiliary hydraulics.

• Before purchasing a hydraulic telehandler attachment, verify:
• Whether the machine has auxiliary hydraulics
• Required hydraulic flow and pressure
• Hose routing and connection type
• Coupler size and style
• Whether continuous hydraulic flow is required
• Whether additional electrical controls are needed

Having auxiliary hydraulics does not automatically make every hydraulic attachment compatible.

3. The Attachment Changes the Load Chart

Telehandler capacity is determined by more than the number printed on the side of the machine. Capacity changes with boom angle, boom extension, forward reach, attachment weight and load-center distance.

Manufacturers publish attachment-specific load charts because a bucket, truss boom, swing carriage or lifting hook changes the machine's configuration. Skyjack instructs operators to read the boom angle and extension, then determine the allowable load from the chart. JLG instructs owners to use approved attachments with the proper model and attachment load-capacity chart displayed in the cab.

4. Carriage Width and Fork Dimensions Must Fit the Load

A 48-inch carriage and a 72-inch carriage may both connect to certain telehandlers, but they support and position loads differently. Fork length, tine thickness, fork spacing and carriage capacity must be appropriate for the material being handled.

5. Model and Serial-Number Approval Must Be Confirmed

Compatibility can change across production years and serial-number ranges. Before ordering, identify:

• Telehandler manufacturer
• Exact model
• Serial number
• Coupler type
• Current carriage or attachment
• Auxiliary hydraulic configuration
• Required load weight and dimensions
• Intended application

Quick Attach vs. Fork-Mounted Telehandler Attachments

A quick-attach telehandler attachment connects directly to the boom coupler. Examples include many carriages, buckets, truss booms and lifting hooks.

A fork-mounted attachment slides onto or secures to an approved fork setup. Examples may include certain buckets, hooks, work platforms, truss booms and trash hoppers.

Fork-mounted does not mean universal. The attachment still needs approved fork dimensions, secure retention, adequate capacity and authorization for the exact telehandler application.

How to Choose the Right Telehandler Attachment

Start with the task, not the attachment name.

Ask these questions:

1. What material or personnel must be lifted?
2. What is the verified total weight?
3. How high and how far forward must it be placed?
4. Does the load need to tilt, shift or swing?
5. Is the material supported on forks or suspended below a hook?
6. Does the attachment require auxiliary hydraulics?
7. Which attachment is approved for the machine model and serial number?
8. Is the attachment-specific load chart available and installed in the cab?
9. Does the operator have the required training and instructions?
10. Will the attachment affect transport height, width or machine weight?

Answering these questions before purchase can prevent an attachment from arriving at the jobsite only to discover that it will not connect, power up or safely handle the intended load.

Telehandler Attachment FAQs

What is the most common telehandler attachment?

Forks mounted on a standard or adjustable carriage are the most common telehandler attachment. They are used for palletized construction material, lumber, masonry products and general jobsite supplies.

Can you put a bucket on any telehandler?

No. A bucket must be approved for the telehandler's exact model and configuration. The coupler, attachment weight, bucket capacity, hydraulic requirements and attachment-specific load chart must all be verified.

Can a telehandler use skid steer attachments?

Only selected telehandlers can use approved skid steer attachments, usually through a manufacturer-approved adapter. For example, Genie and Skyjack document skid steer adapter options for selected compact telehandler models. An adapter does not approve every skid steer tool for every application.

What is a telehandler truss boom used for?

A truss boom extends the lifting point to help pick and place roof trusses, beams, pipe and other approved long or suspended loads. Added reach reduces available capacity, so the attachment-specific load chart must be followed.

What is a telehandler swing carriage?

A swing carriage rotates the carriage and load left or right. It helps place material around corners, through openings or into landing areas that would otherwise require repositioning the machine.

What is the difference between side shift and side tilt?

Side shift moves the carriage horizontally left or right. Side tilt rotates the carriage slightly to help level a load on uneven ground or an uneven landing surface.

Do telehandler attachments reduce lifting capacity?

They can. Attachment weight, length, center of gravity and load position affect available capacity. Operators must use the approved load chart for the exact machine and attachment combination.

Do hydraulic telehandler attachments require auxiliary hydraulics?

Most powered attachments do. Grapple buckets, 4-in-1 buckets, side-shift carriages, fork positioners, augers and winches may require auxiliary hydraulic flow. Requirements vary by attachment and machine.

Can a telehandler lift a suspended load?

Yes, when the telehandler, attachment and configuration are approved for suspended-load handling. The operator must follow the correct load chart, attachment instructions and rigging requirements.

Can workers stand on telehandler forks or pallets?

No. Workers should never stand on bare forks, pallets, buckets or makeshift platforms. Personnel may be elevated only when the telehandler is designed for that use and an approved, properly secured platform is used under all applicable requirements.

Are telehandler attachments universal between brands?

No. Couplers, pins, hydraulic connections, capacities and approvals vary by brand and model. Never assume a Genie, SkyTrak, JLG, Skyjack, JCB, Lull, Gradall or Manitou attachment will fit another machine.

Where can I buy telehandler attachments?

Aerial Titans offers new and used equipment, parts and selected telehandler attachments with nationwide shipping. Buyers can contact the sales team to discuss an attachment for a specific telehandler.

Find the Right Telehandler and Attachment

The right attachment can turn a telehandler into a more productive material-handling tool, but only when the entire setup matches the work. Before purchasing, verify the machine model, serial number, coupler, hydraulics, attachment capacity, load chart and intended application.

Aerial Titans can help contractors compare new and used telehandlers, review available attachments and arrange nationwide shipping. Financing options are also available for qualified buyers.

To discuss a telehandler or attachment, call (855) 490-2662 or visit aerialtitans.com.

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