Telehandler Inspection & Certification
Engineering inspection and certification of telehandlers, the telescopic material handlers used with forks, work platforms, jibs and buckets across construction and agriculture.
A telehandler is a versatile machine that combines a telescopic boom with a rugged wheeled chassis and interchangeable attachments, letting it act as a forklift, a small crane with a jib, or an EWP carrier with an approved work platform. That versatility means its regulatory treatment depends on the attachment fitted, and our inspection covers the machine, its boom and the safety systems that govern each mode of use. This page explains the scope and the standards we apply.
One machine, several regulatory modes
A telehandler changes character with its attachment. With forks it is a variable-reach truck; with a jib and hook it performs crane-like lifting; with an approved work platform it operates as an EWP. Each mode carries its own load chart and its own safe-use requirements, so a competent inspection confirms not only that the machine is mechanically sound but that the attachments fitted are approved, correctly rated and properly documented.
This is where many telehandler operations come unstuck: an attachment used outside its approval, or without a matching load chart on the machine, undermines the whole safe-use case. We check that the machine and each attachment form a properly rated, documented combination.
The telescopic boom and coupler
As with any telescopic boom, the sliding sections, wear pads and extension mechanism are the structural focus. We measure wear pad condition, inspect the sections for scoring and distortion, and check the pivot pins at the boom base. The boom-head coupler that carries the attachment is examined for wear and for the correct operation of its locking system.
On rotating telehandlers, the slew ring and turntable are added to the inspection, along with the outriggers that many of these machines deploy when performing crane-type lifts.
Stability, overload and safe-use systems
Because rated capacity drops sharply as the boom extends and lowers, telehandlers rely on stability and overload systems to keep the operator within the load chart. We verify the longitudinal stability indicator, the overload sensing, and any automatic function cut-out that limits boom movement as the machine approaches its stability limit.
The frame-levelling and boom-suspension systems fitted to some models are checked too, as is the ROPS/FOPS structure that protects the operator.
Load testing and certification
Where a telehandler is used for lifting with a jib or as an EWP carrier, load testing confirms the machine and attachment safely handle their rated loads and that the overload systems intervene correctly. Our inspection concludes with a signed report, updated log book and a clear certification outcome, and we verify that the correct load charts for the fitted attachments are present and legible on the machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
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