Use the right tools
With models designed as lift and place machines, tool carriers or ground-engaging units, it's important to pick the right telehandler for the job.

"Ground-engaging machines have high bucket breakout forces and high turbo engines to push into the ground and dig," Blower notes. "The geometry on the front of the machine is also designed for bucket power. It's similar to a wheel loader leverage system to give more bucket breakout force when you use a bucket.

"If you want to ground engage, you have to make sure you have the right machine for the job," he continues. "If you put a bucket on a lift and place machine, you could damage it. You could stretch some chains, twist booms, etc., because they're not designed for that. You really need to get the right telescopic for the job."

For tool carrier designs, make sure you use the right attachments. "Using OEM attachments is critical," says Boeckman. "Using unapproved attachments can accelerate wear on the boom, and they're unsafe since the equipment manufacturer cannot assure performance or establish range and capacity limitations. You also want to use all attachments for their intended purpose and within load capacity limits."