What NOT to do in a Telehandler Forklift | Forklift Operator Training

[@markdoumert4840]

Check your load charts. Always. No matter how light the load is. When you get into 10 and 12,000 pound machines with 54 foot booms, they may only have a 200 pound capacity at full horizontal reach with no outriggers. I have run JCB machines that said not to go full stick without outiggers ever. Even empty. I have witnessed an operator with a 1,000 pound pallet figure he was ok because he was in a big machine. He decided that it would be better to be a few feet closer to the drop point than to back up a few feet to put the outriggers down. Had he checked the chart he would have seen that he only had a few hundred pound capacity at that reach, but if he had put the outriggers down he would have had 10x the capacity even though he would have to reach a little farther. Back of the machine came up and the pallet hit the deck. Luckily he had the pallet only about a foot off the deck as he scoped out, so no damage was done. He is a seasoned operator and it was a good lesson to all of us to never get complacent and always check the charts if there is any doubt. That experience probably saved me from doing the same thing.

[@HumbleHonkingEnthusiast]

Can confirm. Load charts are absolutely essential.

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Excellent advice...thanks for sharing!

[@user-sx7ur6ut5s]

I'm surprised at a seasoned operator not feeling the stress on the machine before the back end went up... you can literally feel it creeping

[@antzantzantz]

Just started using one of these at work and its pretty fun.

[@adelarsen9776]

The emphasis on safety and COG is excellent.

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Thanks for the comment!

[@adelarsen9776]

@@HeavyMetalLearning I endorse your teaching methodologies. You're doing a sound job.

[@timmcdonald2064]

Used one to disassemble a historic building. Used straps to lift walls. Used forks for concrete vault and piles of lumber. Very muddy uneven ground both for removal and stacking stud walls quarter mile away. We had to use the extension boom for pickup. Ground too uneven to drive under. Also..tip walls and apply pressure to break wall joints. Good machine. The four wheel steering was great for tight quarters. No level ground anywhere. Tilt mode great.

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Thanks for the comment!

[@basedaf5580]

thanks! my work recently got one of these and I didn't realize how big of a pay jump I could get for operating one of these bad boys!!!!

[@clairemorley8620]

Excellent videos will be watching over and taking in before I go in for my telehandler test watched in uk 🇬🇧 😊

[@ProbablyH1]

just passed my telehandler test today and they showed us this video in the training

[@ianmackie1059]

One thing that most people do not either understand or mention is that the capacity of the forks, not the machine, are each calculated and 50% of the machine capacity, therefore they should always be used as a pair. either slide together or wide apart according to the load. The same applies if extensions shoes are added. they should not be more than 30% longer than the forks otherwise the heal (The 90 deg angle at the rear) starts to suffer from stress fatigue.

[@sargesrecap2267]

Forklift operator here I can say for sure that I've seen newbie drivers try to level forks high up and it never ends well thanks for the videos

[@stephenwalsh4481]

Yeah makes sense to do it at eye height

[@andrewdearlove4167]

How should a telehandler park when not loaded

[@Wavelover33]

Watch out in muddy ground. These things give you the confidence to go through anything but they sink fairly easily. I’ve seen them sunk enough that the operator had to get out of the window and another have a huge bulldozer pull it out of the mud can’t do without them. Great machines

[@michaellemerkel8194]

Thank you for the great videos! Very thorough and helpful. The forklift telehandler we rented was slightly different from the one you show in your tutorial videos, but I was able to figure it out. I had fun using it to move an outhouse out of the back of a junk pickup, and get rid of trash piles that were left when we bought our property.

[@brentmelsom5036]

1. A lot of green operators think cruising in the highway gear is the best because it faster but they don’t realize that the speed bounce on un even ground is pretty dangerous especially with a load on. I almost always leave in 2nd gear. 2 leave the fork tips either high or completely low. Hurts the steel when u clink your head 3. Not paying attention to the turning radius the on the front end 4. Loosing visual and continuing in hopes for the best.

[@curtisdaly4123]

I'm starting as a telehandler operator Monday I have no training yet so I appreciate some heads up on what not to do

[@kyiregh3751]

thank you soo much....i am a better driver after i pondered on your video. God bless you

[@navnig]

If you're having trouble putting the tele boom out and up or vice versa, a little tip from the guy who taught me. Tie a bit of rope, or use, say, a 2/3m sling on the toe and tie some kind of weight like a rock, or put a shackle through the eye of the rope/sling. Now try to tele out while keeping that weight/shackle just skimming the ground....Do that on the way out, and all the way back....Then repeat until you've got it. Worth saying also, get the riggers down if you have them. Better to be 'slow' than end up tipping your machine's fore-end onto someone's foot. They're brilliant machines but also deadly in the wrong hands. Then there's the 360 degree telehandlers....That's a whole different thing altogether again!

[@Wes-h9b]

Operators also need to be familiar with the Make of the machine they are operating. Each Make have similarities in design, but each have slight differences that will effect overall performance. For example, depending on engine cab configuration or the placement of outriggers, the operator has additional blind spots.

[@ConstructionMachineryChannel]

Cool video guys! I ever have to operate one of these I know where to learn how.

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

thanks for the comment

[@2bittesla]

I don't know were to start, I will have to post an extreme operating video. If I could offer one tip, do everything the hard way to develop the skills required before you actually get in a situation where they are required.

[@fnkaplan3866]

You are good teacher buddy thanks for lessons

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

You’re welcome...appreciate the comment!

[@richthetrashpicker-upper5244]

So glad I came across your Channel thank you I live in LA do you have a station down here I'd love to work for you seems really professional thanks again I specialize in steep Terrain Road building excavator

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Sorry... Nothing in CA. Only sites in MN and TX.

[@Blackveiled]

Cool video. I was kind of just thrown into it but glad to see that you confirmed something that I always typically do. I always level the vehicle before elevating any load. Also on uneven terrain a lot of the time as well, I use the tilt mechanism to keep the vehicle level as I drive with a load as well.

[@ColtonBlumhagen]

6:35 I have to disagree with this. Yes while you're learning that is fine. But it is something you need to learn. I find myself almost daily in situations where the material I'm lifting can only be accessed with a zoom boom. Usually because I'm booming over other material so being able to boom up/down in/out and even tilt all at the same time are things every operator should be able to do.

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

I think we still agree. Only difference is no new operator is going to learn all of that from day 1. I always tell people its baby steps.

[@ck2134]

Most dangerous thing is putting legs down on soft ground. When the heavy load is out. Your machine was level, it ain't level no more. Better start to 🙏 bumpy ground can be dangerous, be careful with weight. Steady and slow

[@MikeHoncho884]

Legs ?

[@k4x4map46]

nice video. how many seconds would it take to briefly aim the camera at the all important bubble level? learning a lot though; don't skimp!

[@rhapsody7120]

Telehandler Operator based in UK here, usually working with 14-20m machines, rarely get to use CAT's, mainly JCB's, and the occasional merlot, or manitou here. I do so wish JCB had the cab sway function that I've seen on merlots, such a time saver for when you may do a high lift and misaligned to the loading bay by a bit, just sway over rather than having to retract and reposition. Some really good tips and info for new drivers here, though in all honesty being what I'd say is a more advanced operator with 5+ years experience I break a bunch of these rules all the time haha :) Any telehandler operators that have moved onto 360 slew telehandlers, how did you find the course's etc, any tips for a 360 slew? Looking to upgrade my ticket to include it soon.

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Thanks for the info...appreciate it!

[@danshaw6485]

I know this was written a while ago mate but there are a fair few JCBs with sway. I've been driving a couple for about 4 years now.

[@beereadyyy9849]

@@danshaw6485 I run a JCB with the sway and downriggers, don't like the parking brake handle though it's always catching my fucking coat haha

[@Exxella]

I'll guess its a good enough video if you drive once or twice a month with a little machine on your worksite just to move something. First thing Is to learn to control moving your forks in an straight line, at ex 10feet level, all the way, not easy if your new but essential to continue growing as an operater, offcourse many other things to tink of but a good start. Cheers// Swedeguy

[@terrymcgillicuddy8056]

Thanks for the information.

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

you're welcome...thanks for the comment!

[@flickinbeans882]

all that matters is load charts, and slow steady movements, take it slow and you're good to go! class 7 forklift license required, easy to aquire, easy to operate,

[@farmerbob728]

Thank you...very informative video

[@StefanBacon]

Are those controls switchable? Seems really weird and messy to have boom extension on the x instead of tilt like in almost every type of machine.

[@tonyosborne7491]

Help me out please, when im picking up a pallet, is the 1st thing tilt back or lift straight up ? And in reverse when im putting the pallet on the ground, tilt forwards then pull out the forks ? Im new to all this, and i'll soon be booming out at height

[@annacarnes5627]

I've also been confused about this

[@MiguelAngel-oh1ub]

2:30 while most of the time that’s true, not all the time. There have been plenty of loads I’ve had to pick up from a surface that wasn’t level to the machine and I’ve had to intentionally tilt the forklift in order for forks to be placed how I needed them in order to pick up.

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Good point...thanks for the comment!

[@halojump123]

Angel, LIFKO?

[@m16ty]

We routinely pickup with a boom and rigging, picking up a suspended load beneath the forks. If you are doing this and need a little lateral movement to the side, you can tilt the lift a little to swing it over. This is way beyond what is allowed in the manual though, and you have to know what you are doing, because if you tilt too far and get beyond the center of gravity, you'll turn it over.

[@williamhall9204]

Normally that is safe to do,as long as the boom is at or below horizontal angle.You can definitely have a problem putting the machine out of level at high boom angles,especially when you have boom telescoped far out.This is why the slope piler option is a good thing for safety.Operator can keep the machine level while tilting the forks carriage to either side.

[@MikeHoncho884]

Never get out of a running machine always shut it off no matter what!!! One guy locked himself out of the cab somehow, and tried going in through the side window. His belly hit the controller, and he booed the machine down on himself, and crushed himself. Never wear a harness or operating a forklift, wearing a harness and lanyard. One guy ran over his own lanyard, and it pulled him out of the cab and killed him! When using a bucket, careful on side, loading the bucket, and sticking the bucket out with a load. Plowing snow, or using a bucket for material you can tear the welds on the inner section of boom, where the horse head connects to the boom . I consider the head, the part that comes down to the ground from the last section of boom those welds are super easy to break sideling the boom, especially if you hit a curb or a manhole when grading the ground or plowing snow. About 18 years ago I was on a job where a guy was plowing. Snow hit something on the right hand side of the plow blade like a curb and did $16,000 for the damage that was 18 years ago. Can’t imagine what it would cost now.

[@tapswitchmanager7359]

Summary: 1. Know all the different markers on the machine 1.1. Side to side level. Be level before you pickup or drive off. 1.2. Boom level 1.3. Boom extension marker 2. Do not lift from a distance. Lift first just in front of cab, but likely not on top of it. After lifting, then extend. Retract boom before setting down. 3. Do not pick up by extending the boom, instead drive up to it. (Raise/lower first if required) 4. Get the forks level (at eye level, or at ground level), before approaching the load. Roll the forks after you have picked up. 5. Do not put in neutral before exiting. Put in park.

[@normanbuchanan9710]

dang how I miss my cat ectender, like we grew up together, even though I've done some scary things with it.

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Thanks for the comment!

[@mahendramangru5931]

Can you show us the switches them controls the foot and to level the machine.

[@RajuYadav19010]

Thank you ❤️

[@gwolf7716]

I’m wondering how wind is taken into account. Is there a max safe wind speed for performing critical lifts? Thanks in advance!

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

That’s a great question. I’m not aware of any official standards outside of cranes, but obviously you should be careful on any windy days. With these being rigid frames, unlike a crane cable, it is less of a factor unless you had a super high reach handler.

[@martindobson3902]

thanks for the info i work on a building site in a manitou 1335 I struggle sometimes picking up pallets on a high up scaffold loading bay if i cant see the enter points of the pallets any tips or vids i can look at

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

that's a tough one....I'll see if we can do a video at some point. Maybe some other operators will chime in and give some tips.

[@halojump123]

Use a spotter and KNOW ur hand signals. Try to use the same spotter as often as possible, this will build trust in each other.

[@martindobson3902]

23.12.2020 I passed CITB and cpcs telescopic handler course I'm all good I now agree I don't need a spotter/banksman

[@m16ty]

The worst mistake I see is people using them like a bulldozer. Having a lot of boom ran out and pushing material, and even turning while doing it, putting huge stress on the boom. Those things have to be tough, because they take way more abuse that it looks like they will take.

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Thanks for the comment!

[@TheAdamlans]

I lifted a wall up with straps using my telehandler rental with not much room to back up behind me because it became a downhill slope. Once the wall was up, my forks were so high in the air that I couldn’t pull down and back to me because it would just bump the top of the wall, so my only option was to reverse down hill! we didn’t do that because of how dangerous it seemed, but instead decided to try to crab steer out of there with the forks way up in the air very very slowly. It seemed like that’s something you shouldn’t do, especially on rough terrain. Does anyone know if it’s safe to drive with the forks in the air say 25 feet up? I’m guessing not.

[@biennealexandre3846]

Hi there Please How can you help me Learn Training ,or I need more practice Already Licence

[@shroom903]

Number 6. Parking telehandler on off side of crawler crane lol

[@SCARFACE-gp4fy]

Been on tehandlers for 20years lifting pallets of bricks blocks into loading bays seven high with a 17m jcb when the load is to heavy the hydraulics cut out if your up high and if it cuts out don't override it that's when you get into trouble only once I nearly put my machine on its ribs on a manitou the chip in the joystick was faulty and was telling the machine to lift the right jack it started rocking back and forth from Jack to Jack with a pallet of plasterboard 40ft up.

[@1loadermanjack]

Good job, 👍😎

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Thanks 👍

[@flo__60]

i would say the first mistake is to get a CAT!!! yes i'll show myself the way out!!

[@craigrodgers3595]

I'm a telehandler driver everyone thinks easy job its not a counter balance flt we're in that 9 hrs a day driving that knowing what you can a can't do with means I've never tipped or hit anything serious you will make mistakes as long as it's not life threatening have fun with it

[@Pfennigabsatz]

Nice toy ;-)

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Yup

[@billwagner2271]

Top mistake by manufacture's, selling telehandlers without downriggers!

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Totally agree...I do think they should just come standard!

[@rajindernijjer]

So I've been driving telehandler for 6 months now I've had experience before from counter balance and reach trucks which has helped me. Every site I go to I'm on different trucks and I'm learning so much but obviously I'm going to be slow if I'm always changing trucks and sites. But all the brickies I work with always tell me I'm better than the telehandlers who have had 30 years experience even the ones who have done it for so long try and give you advice. You must have 0 talent if you end up tipping one of these.

[@ck2134]

I think your wrong about zero talent tipping one of these, very wrong. It can happen to the best drivers. If you hit a bump, she can go over.

[@rajindernijjer]

@@ck2134 I've been to many sites many different trucks I only have 8 months experience yet to make any crashes, but I always get told the driver they already have always crashing. But I know I'm elite level driver.

[@ck2134]

@@rajindernijjer that's all cool mate. I being driving over 20 years and all I can say is, be aware at all times, they are dangerous machines. I do alot of extremely dangerous lifts with these machines daily and I find it easy sure. But I always aware what could happen.

[@rajindernijjer]

@@ck2134 I'm red card basically I'm learner every site I go to there like your better than the driver they have which is usually a blue card a professional. I usually cover days here and there go check the truck and there always fucked flat tyres, no coolant, no brake fluid, so I can just imagine how good these drivers actually are. I guess everyone has different standards. I driving a digger aswell also now that must be even easier than a telehandler.

[@ck2134]

@@rajindernijjer I drive a jcb digger also. But I have no ticket for it. I only got the teleporter ticket. The man on site that drives everything 360/ normal digger/ teleporter. every machine he drive very experienced. He turned over teleporter putting up roof trusses before, he told me he had no seatbelt. He shit his pants. Grabbed onto seat. Lucky to be alive. Than the boss pick up machine, make it upright and this guy continue putting up roof. Probably he wanted to go home and 😭 after than. Anyone would. But he a very good driver. Just hit a bump and she turn over in a flash

[@Satchmoeddie]

Misuse of 4 wheel steering and swinging the ass end into stuff creating damage. Old Lull and Grade-all telehandlers only had rear steering making doing everything a bit more of a challenge. I hit some old fart rigging sales rep's truck when he slammed on the brakes to answer his cell phone. He only had one good hand, because he got one of his hands snagged up in some rigging and partially ripped it off. I went to court and by the grace of God the police photos matched my diagrams to a tee. The Mexicans who were working backwards down the street (going the wrong way) pouring concrete were in a police photo. They got tagged on that one.

[@jarrheadja1522]

In a level parking lot everything is easier

[@jimmyellis2011]

A cat is just a JLG

[@m16ty]

Nobody reads the load chart on these things. You know who the telehandler operator on the job is, the jobsite idiot. They will let anybody on these things. I've seen so much crazy stuff over the years. Just about every large jobsite will have at least one of these turn over throughout the course of the job, most of the time multiple turn overs. It's comical, somebody they wouldn't let near a bulldozer, or excavator, but they have no problem putting him into the telehandler without any instruction and turn him loose.

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Agree to the last part...but I sure hope you at least reference he load chart when you start. It’s important to understand a machines capabilities and limits. You don’t need to memorize it or look at it every time you load, but at least understand some of the limits.

[@m16ty]

@@HeavyMetalLearning I read the load chart, and almost have it memorized on the machine we own, but all those goofballs you see on these big jobsites don't. They wouldn't even know how to read one if they wanted to.

[@zacharyherrmann5738]

This dude is amateur hour at its peak, the only thing I would let this guy operate would be a a shovel, and in my state he would prob have a hard time with that, really weak video and instruction lol