Vertical-mast and rough terrain forklift marketers have endured in spite of overall diminished sales. There are at least 19 various forklift brand names within North America, with more than 100 various models available all around the world. In regards to makers, there is almost the same number of telehandler makers, even if their products are being sold under 24 different brand names. Understandably, several of the brands market both lift trucks and telehandlers. Several of the main players within the business include names such as Lift King, Tovel, JCB, Case, Ingersoll Rand, Omega Lift, Sellick and Manitou.
Lift Truck marketers have increased their maneuverability advantages by borrowing several of the features that have increased the telehandler's fame. For instance, AUSA, Omega Lift, Manitou and Tovel use hydraulic chassis-leveling systems that allow the operator to square up the frame of the truck when it is sitting on uneven terrain in order for lifts to be made more safely. This particular feature is provided as an alternative by Swinger, Load Lifter, and Lift King lift trucks.
One more telehandler-like technology is the 4-wheel steer. Omega Lift, Lift King, Tovel and Load Lifter all offer very durable and rigid framed machines operating on 4 equal sized tires. These four-wheel coordinated steering and crab-steering modes offer the fantastic maneuverability which rivals the 4-wheeled steering conventional lift truck units. There are additional flexibility options with the sideways shuttle crab-steer mode too.
The carriage sideshift could vastly improve placement dexterity. The mast sideshift is a common feature now. This is found on most available lift trucks. It enables the operator to hydraulically move the mast several inches to either side of center. One more option is the carriage sideshift. This functions by moving the carriage to either side of the center of the mast.