History of the Telehandler

A telehandler is a versatile tool used in many industries. Over the past several years, it has gained popularity, but do you know the history of this fascinating machine? Our team at Adcock Equipment, located in Edmonton, AB, strives to be a resource for all your lift equipment needs. We’ve put together a brief history of the great telehandler. 

Filling a Need to Reach New Heights

The telehandler was developed when a need for a high-reaching machine was discovered. Originally, this idea was used in the agriculture industry, specifically for cherry picking. The first telehandler was created in Surrey, England, by the Matbro Company. They used their previously created forestry forklift and modified it to combine the idea of a crane and a forklift into one machine. 

This new development allowed more efficient work for farmworkers. As the machine gained popularity, new features, attachments, and uses became possible.

The original design featured a boom that was centrally mounted in the front with the driver’s cab in the rear. Now the more popular design utilizes a rear-mounted boom and the cab to the side. This newer configuration improved visibility for operators. 

What Happened to Matbro?

The Matbro company was able to patent an official design of a telehandler in 1957 and the strong tie to agriculture led them to attempt the manufacture of a tractor line as well. Their center-pivot steer designs were so successful that they used the base of its design to build the Matbro Mastiff. The cost proved to be too high for most farmers, so only 20 of these tractors were manufactured.

Despite the failed attempt at tractor manufacturing, their telehandler was later licensed to Caterpillar®, International®, and Allis Chalmers, allowing them to walk away as a success.

What Comes Next for Modern Telehandlers?

As the versatile piece of equipment continues to gain popularity and use within multiple industries, there’s the question of what opportunities remain for equipment advancements. Beyond safety features and work capacity, more and more electric telehandlers are becoming an option. 

The telehandler is truly a remarkable piece of equipment that has a variety of applications. If you’re interested in purchasing your own, our team would love to help you find the perfect model. We offer financing options and proudly serve the Calgary and Red Deer areas.