High-capacity telehandlers face test of strength amid economic headwinds

If you want a snapshot of the US market for major infrastructure construction, look at its big beasts.

High-capacity telehandlers, machines capable of lifting 10,000 pounds or more, are at the forefront of large-scale building and infrastructure projects.

Sometimes used in the place of cranes, their towering booms and heavy-duty frames are a common sight on bridge builds, wind farm installations, industrial plants, and sprawling commercial sites.

Yet the sector faces a period of uncertainty. Tariffs, fluctuating tax rates, labour availability, and broader government policy changes are all weighing on investment decisions and project timelines, creating a cautious environment for both manufacturers and contractors.

Photo: Magni

“Government policies are changing not just quarterly or monthly, but literally on a daily basis,” says Matthew Lyons, vice-president of sales at Magni Telehandlers. “This constant flux creates a high degree of uncertainty… We anticipate that a more stable environment will emerge in the short term, leading to a release of pent-up demand in Q4.”

For Lyons, the challenge is not an absence of end-user appetite, but an unpredictable backdrop that makes forward planning difficult.

Others across the sector report similar headwinds.

“Activity lessened in the latter part of 2024 and that seems to have continued into 2025,” says Malcolm Early, vice-president of marketing at Skyjack. “The current economic uncertainty plays a role in this softening.”

Jeffrey Eckhardt, president of Xtreme Manufacturing, agrees that the combination of tariffs, supply chain volatility, and hesitancy in capital spending has muted growth. Even so, he remains bullish about the medium term: “We expect a strong rebound as confidence returns and large-scale projects move forward.”

Despite the hesitation, most OEMs report that core demand for high-capacity telehandlers remains intact.

“While demand isn’t quite at last year’s peak, it’s still steady,” says Lee Tice, product manager at JCB North America. “High-capacity telehandlers remain essential on today’s large-scale jobsites, and while the urgency may have cooled slightly, the need for machines that can reliably lift heavy loads to height hasn’t gone away.”

Part of that resilience comes from the diversity of applications. John Boehme, senior product manager at JLG, says these machines are no longer confined to concrete pours and steel erection. For contractors looking to stretch capex budgets, a machine that can switch from moving pallets of bricks to lifting steel beams or handling oversized pipe is a valuable asset. 

More use cases

“Although general construction sites and bridge-building projects continue to heavily use these machines, these larger and more powerful telehandlers are increasingly being used in adjacent and specialty industries,” he says. “Mining operations, quarries, renewable energy installations, and waste management facilities are among the growth markets.”

Amalija Kopac, senior global product manager at Genie, points to engine innovations: “Historically, telehandlers in the 10,000-pound-and-higher range required larger engines that needed DEF (diesel exhaust fluid). The introduction of the 74 hp DEF-free engine in 10k machines, such as Genie’s GTH-1056 telehandler, really helped accelerate demand… telehandlers in the 10,000- and 12,000-pound category are so versatile on jobsites.”

Moreover, Kopac points out that the machines continue to evolve. 

Photo: JLG

“Trends from other heavy-duty equipment types are making their way into telehandlers,” she adds. “This includes a focus on safety enhancements, like backup cameras, seatbelt recognition…and load management systems.”

As capacities creep upward, the boundary between high-capacity telehandlers and cranes continues to blur. In some sectors, such as modular construction and heavy industrial maintenance, the telehandler’s mobility advantage can make it a more cost-effective choice than a crane—provided safety protocols are rigorously observed.

“The shift to larger, smarter, safer telehandlers is already underway,” says JLG’s Boehme. “When operators see a machine doing more than they thought possible, it changes the conversation about what’s feasible with a single piece of equipment.”

Nonetheless, many manufacturers point out that although lifting capacities are increasing into load classes traditionally handled by cranes, safety training for operators and other site workers is often still catching up.

“As machine capacities climb into the 40- or 50-ton range, concerns around site safety and load handling protocols are naturally increasing,” says Xtreme Manufacturing’s Eckhardt. “Investing in training today is a proactive step toward keeping these machines productive and safe.”

Magni’s Lyons goes further. “It is baffling that the industry continues to accept a scenario where contractors lift 10,000+ pounds without any safety or monitoring mechanisms,” he says. “The American worker is the backbone of the construction industry, and we must do everything in our power to keep them safe.”

Training is emerging as both a regulatory priority and a competitive differentiator. Merlo, for example, is placing emphasis on operator certification, hybrid experimentation, and building a presence in North America against established domestic players.

New models

Manufacturers are updating product lines to meet evolving jobsite demands. Genie introduced the GTH-1244 and GTH-1044 telehandlers for pick-and-carry applications, offering “productivity…for steel erecting, pipe handling, mining operations and maintenance,” says Kopac.

Magni’s Lyons underscores versatility: “Every Magni machine is equipped with industry-leading LMI (Load Moment Indicator) technology…over 100 attachments…new options constantly being developed by our active owners.”

Electrification is on the horizon, but most agree that in the high-capacity segment, battery technology still has hurdles to clear before matching diesel’s lifting performance and run time. Hybrid concepts, however, are in active development. These could offer reduced emissions without sacrificing the endurance needed for multi-shift operation.

“High-capacity telehandlers are some of the most straightforward, hardworking machines on the jobsite,” says JCB’s Tice. “Diesel remains the right tool for the job. This category is about dependability, and that’s exactly what our customers expect.”