Rough-terrain and vertical-mast forklift marketers have endured in spite of overall diminished sales. There are at least 19 different lift truck brand names within North America, with over 100 different models available worldwide. In regards to makers, there is almost the same number of telehandler manufacturers, even if their products are being marketed under 24 different brand names. Understandably, some of the brands sell both telehandlers and lift trucks. Some of the key players within the industry consist of brand names such as JCB, Case, Tovel, Lift King, Ingersoll Rand, Omega Lift, Sellick and Manitou.
Lift Truck marketers have increased their maneuverability advantages by borrowing a few of the features that have increased the telehandler's popularity. For example, Omega Lift, AUSA, Manitou and Tovel use hydraulic chassis-leveling systems that allow the operator to square up the frame of the truck when it is sitting on uneven terrain in order for lifts to be made more safely. This feature is provided as an alternative by Swinger, Load Lifter, and Lift King lift trucks.
One more telehandler-like technology is the 4-wheel steer. Omega Lift, Lift King, Tovel and Load Lifter all provide extremely durable and rigid framed machinery operating on 4 equal sized tires. These four-wheel coordinated steering and crab-steering modes offer the incredible maneuverability which rivals the 4-wheeled steering traditional lift truck models. There are extra flexibility options with the sideways shuttle crab-steer mode too.
The side-shifting mast or carriage sideshift could improve placement dexterity. A typical feature that is rather common is the mast sideshift. This is offered on the majority of lift trucks available. It allows the operator to hydraulically move the mast several inches to either side of center. A different option is the carriage sideshift. This functions by moving the carriage to either side of the center of the mast.