There’s a range of attachments available for your telehandler that will make it a very versatile machine on the jobsite.
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Cat® Telehandler Hydraulic Lines
In the last decade, jobsites have come to rely on versatile machines to reduce costs and mitigate the effects of the experienced operator shortage. The more tasks a single machine can perform, the more valuable the machine—and the more efficient a project becomes. Cat® telehandlers are the steel embodiment of this efficiency. Equipped with easy-to-attach/detach hydraulic lines, Cat telehandlers also have attachments that can be swapped with just a few simple steps. You can go from pushing snow to moving material to installing windows in moments—all with one Cat telehandler.
Mike Peterson
Telehandler Product Specialist
Telehandler Hydraulics
The heart of a telehandler is its hydraulic system. An incompressible fluid is pumped through various hoses, valves and cylinders to move pistons that transmit the force through rods to actuate the boom and your chosen attachments. Because an incompressible fluid like oil is used, very little force is lost.
Your Cat telehandler’s hydraulics also capitalize on a concept called hydraulic multiplication. When a one-inch-diameter piston presses on hydraulic fluid that moves a three-inch-diameter piston, that force is multiplied by a factor of nine. This is because the area of the second piston is nine times that of the first. The trade-off is that the first piston must move nine inches for the second to move just one inch.
It's the hydraulic system that allows your telehandler to extend and retract its boom to deliver thousands of pounds of material more than 40 feet upwards, depending on your Cat telehandler's capabilities. And, it’s the hydraulic system that allows you to tilt and roll your attachment to perform precise movements.
Attaching and Detaching Telehandler Hydraulics
When it comes to attaching and detaching the hydraulic lines connected to your telehandler’s attachment, it’s important to follow the directions in your Operation and Maintenance Manual (OMM) to protect your machine.
The first step is to make sure your telehandler’s auxiliary hydraulic lines aren’t pressurized. To do this, press and hold the pressure-release button located on the cabin dashboard. Now that hydraulic pressure has been released, you can safely connect your attachment using the hydraulic couplers.
To detach work tools, the same steps are followed. After you’ve released the pressure in the hydraulic auxiliary lines, you can safely decouple your attachment.
Like a backhoe loader or excavator, the strength of a telehandler is its range of capabilities. Simply by changing an attachment, operators can perform multiple tasks with a single machine, saving you money and time.
To get the most out of your machine during any project or operating environment, consider adding attachments, such as:
- Buckets: You might think telehandlers are only used for moving materials, but a bucket attachment allows you to clean up sites, load trucks, carry and dump bulky objects, move loose materials, doze, grade and level. Some buckets can lift personnel. Many are also designed for specific materials, like water, waste and grass.
- Forks: A telehandler with forks excels at transporting and lifting pallets or lumber to specific heights.
- Carriages: What’s better than stationary forks on a telehandler? Forks that can tilt, roll and shift side to side to adjust to the load. Some carriage types are dual-fork positioning, swing, standard rotate, wide rotate and wide tilt.
- Platforms: Telehandlers aren’t just for moving material. Platform attachments are available for positioning workers in hard-to-access spots. The boom can be operated from controls on the platform or by the telehandler operator.
- Arms and Trusses: When stationary, telehandlers can efficiently move loads up and down using a hook or chain.
Telehandler Tips
There are a few things you should keep top of mind when it comes to operating your telehandler.
It’s important to know your telehandler’s capabilities. Depending on the angle and length of the boom, its load can vary widely. A telehandler that can hold a few thousand pounds at a 70º angle may not be able to hold more than several hundred pounds with the boom extended and parallel to the ground. This is because the boom acts as a lever, and the telehandler’s center of gravity shifts as the load moves. There should be a load-capacity chart displayed in the operator cab for quick reference.
The type of ground beneath your wheels affects stability and can determine how you operate. Is it pavement or loose gravel? Many telehandlers have two-wheel, four-wheel and crab steering. Two-wheel steering means only the front or rear wheels turn and is suitable for higher speeds. Four-wheel steering means all wheels rotate, allowing for much tighter turns in confined environments. Crab steering allows for diagonal movement, making maneuvering against obstacles and getting close to walls much easier. Four-wheel and crab steering decrease stability, especially while carrying a load. Adjusting your steering is done from the dashboard and should only be performed when the telehandler is stationary.
When carrying loads with forks, always have the load pitched towards your cab, and ensure the load is level by using the gauge located on the ceiling above the dash. You should also be aware of your sightlines. Some telehandler models have the boom located below eye level when fully lowered, while others might block your view. If it’s the latter, lift the boom until you have clear line of sight.
Care and Maintenance
Like all heavy equipment, your Cat telehandler requires preventative and interval maintenance. Your Operation and Maintenance Manual (OMM) lists filter schedules, oil specs, fluid intervals and average temps. You should also visually inspect your telehandler’s rods, seals and lines for signs of damage daily. Look for scratches or hydraulic fluid on the rods, ballooning of the hydraulic lines and leaking or corrosion of couplers and fittings.
So, be sure to consult your OMM to determine the optimal settings for your machine and attachments, as well as your machine’s recommended maintenance routine. If you have additional questions, your Cat dealer will be happy to assist.
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