There are many challenges workers face on construction sites from health and safety through to poor weather and delays on deliveries. One of the biggest challenges faced, however, is the need to manoeuvre items around the yard in a safe and efficient way.
In some cases, pick up trucks or other more standardised vehicles do the job effectively. In other cases, however, a specialised piece of equipment will be required.
The forklift has forever been one of the preferred methods to lift heavy items on construction sites. The forklift allows the operator to easily lift large, heavy items such as bricks on pallets. In some yards, however, it can be difficult to drive because of the rough terrain. Construction site management needs to think about the appropriate unit for the job.
One of the best forklifts for construction sites has always been the JCB Teletruk. This is an extremely versatile forklift that has 4 wheel drive to make it easier to navigate through uneven ground. They typically have a covered cab area to which protects the operator from the elements. Whilst they are a forklift, they are often referred to as a crane because of the height and length that the telescopic boom lift can reach.
The large lift capacity makes them the perfect solution for lifting heavy items such as
- Concrete
- Soil
- Wood
- Pallets
- Bricks
- Steel
The large telescopic boom makes it extremely easy to move items from the trailer and transport them to a more appropriate place on site. They have a long length up to 20 metres and a high lift capacity up to 4000kg which makes them the perfect option for getting large heavy items up to high places. This is especially useful for roofers or any construction workers who have more involvement when the building is close to completion.
You may find that a used JCB Teletruk is most useful for construction environments because you will likely save a lot of money upfront and will benefit from a forklift that has the same technological advancements as new forklifts. This being said, companies that are keen to demonstrate a level of prestige may still go ahead with new forklift options but if you purchase from a trusted used dealer, you will find that it is very difficult to see the difference between new and used forklifts.
JCB Teletruks are typically fuelled using gas or diesel. There are electric versions on the market, but the gas and diesel options are trusted because they are both economic to run and have the reliability of not running out of battery. Plus, they require no down time when they run out of fuel. Simply change the gas canaster or add more diesel.
There are alternatives to the JCB Telehandler on the market such as those manufactured by Manitou and Caterpillar, but JCB have certainly gained the trust of most construction workers. This is somewhat in thanks to the hitches which gives the user the ability to easily apply different attachments for a variety of tasks. For example, you can use bucket attachments for transporting dirt or moving loose items across to a skip.
The Telehandler is a counterbalance unit, but it is important to take the weight capacity seriously. As the telescopic boom is similar to a crane, it over hangs which is different to standard forklifts that lift vertically. If you apply too much weight, you can run the risk of toppling the forklift. Some articles online see this as a disadvantage, but with appropriate safety and planning, this is just an example of the limits of the unit.
If you have passed the appropriate training, the JCB Telehandler is relatively easy to operate. It is important that you are always consciously aware when operating the forklift. A big mistake many operators make is complacency. To much haste and not enough speed also applies in some cases such as lifting the boom lift when moving. This is dangerous and can have a detrimental outcome if you do this when workers on foot are nearby.
Even if you have passed the training, caution when operating is required. It will ensure that you are safe when operating. It will also allow you to get the most out of the unit without causing any damage.
The JCB telehandler is a preferred unit within the construction industry. It is so popular that it is also used in the agricultural industry and will likely be seen in other environments such as in a dock or in national forests where paths / routes are being added.
It is thanks to the JCB Telehandlers versatility and ability to help with a variety of tasks that it is one of the best forklift options for construction environments.
Author Bio:
Sam has a keen interest in forklifts and the different environments they can be used in. His knowledge comes from close relationships in a variety of industrial and construction environments. He likes to pass on the information he gains through his writing.
