Q&A: JLG’s John Boehme on Compact Telehandlers, Electric Models and Evolving Jobsite Needs

The compact telehandler market continues to slowly heat up, fueled by growing demands for versatile, sustainable equipment that can work efficiently in tight spaces. From urban construction sites to modern farms, these small but powerful machines are finding new applications across North America and beyond. To learn more about the latest trends, technologies and innovations in compact telehandlers, we sat down with John Boehme, senior product manager of telehandlers with JLG. In this exclusive Q&A, Boehme discusses JLG’s compact telehandler lineup, what makes their machines unique, the surge of electric models and how evolving customer needs are shaping the future of this dynamic segment.

CE: John, thanks so much for taking the time to talk to us today. We’re big fans of the JLG brand and of its telehandler lineup. First off, maybe we can give us a little history on your telehandler brand, and please summarize your telehandler units offered today.

Boehme: JLG was founded in 1969 by John L. Grove, initially focusing on aerial work platforms. In the 1990s, JLG expanded into the telehandler market, recognizing the growing demand for versatile material-handling equipment. Here’s a look at the history of JLG’s expansion into telehandlers.

Acquisition of Gradall (1999): In 1999, JLG acquired Gradall’s telehandler product line, expanding its expertise in robust material handling solutions. The Gradall acquisition helped JLG enhance engineering and develop its own branded telehandlers.

Acquisition of SkyTrak (2003): In 2003, JLG acquired the SkyTrak telehandler brand, one of the most popular rough-terrain telehandler lines in North America. SkyTrak telehandlers became a core part of JLG’s offerings, known for their durability, ease of use, and reliability in construction applications. This acquisition significantly strengthened JLG’s position in the mid-range telehandler market.

Expansion and Technological Advancements (2010s-Present): JLG introduced advanced SkyTrak and JLG-branded telehandlers, incorporating:

• Load management systems
• Telematics for fleet tracking
• Electric models to support sustainability

Partnership with AUSA (2020) and Subsequent Acquisition: In 2020, JLG partnered with AUSA, a Spanish manufacturer known for compact rough-terrain equipment. The partnership allowed JLG to distribute and brand an AUSA-designed compact telehandler, targeting customers needing smaller, highly maneuverable machines. The company continued refining its compact telehandler lineup, which originated from the AUSA partnership. In 2024, JLG acquired AUSA, which allows JLG to offer a complete range of JLG-branded telehandlers, from ultra-compact models to high-capacity machines.

Today, JLG offers 15 JLG-branded telehandlers and seven SkyTrak-branded telehandlers in the North American market, including both pick-and-place and pick-and-carry models. With capacities from 2,700- to 13,200-lbs and heights up to 97 ft, the product range includes ultra-compact, compact, high-reach, high-capacity, and rotating options to handle modern jobsite challenges.

Summarize JLG’s smallest compact telehandler units offered today. How many units do you offer? Share major features, specs, technologies and options. How high do your units lift and what is their capacity?

With a 3,500-lb maximum lift capacity, a 13-ft 1-in. maximum lift height, 5-ft, 8-in. forward reach and 9.3-mph travel speed, the JLG E313 electric telehandler is the brand’s smallest compact telehandler, providing all the advantages of an ultra-compact, electric-powered machine without sacrificing performance for loading and unloading trucks and flatbeds, moving materials around or accessing work at height in single-story buildings. Key features of the new electric E313 include:

• 18.6-kW/h electrical system with six maintenance-free 48V lithium-ion batteries for environmentally friendly operation with no emissions
• Up to four hours of continuous operation or extended intermittent use
• Dual on-board battery chargers with 110V and 220V charging adapters for convenient charging
• Efficient electric drive motors eliminate the need for fuel or oil and reduce maintenance, lowering operating costs
• Two-speed electric transmission with high-speed, two-wheel drive and low-speed, four-wheel drive for optimal power management for various job site conditions
• Two-wheel rear pivot power steering resulting in less ground disturbance
• Load Stability Indication (LSI) system for enhanced operator confidence, enhancing job site safety by mitigating the risk of accidents during load handling
• Seatbelt Engagement and Operator Presence system for enhanced safety with the use of visual and audible alarms, as well as limiting machine functions

A diesel engine model, the JLG 313, is available in addition to this new electric model.

The SkyTrak 3013 ultra-compact telehandler was purpose-built for use in small spaces requiring up-and-over reach such as light construction, agriculture, landscape and hardscape work. This 3,000- lb class telehandler is well-suited for loading and unloading pallets from flatbed trucks, as well as lifting and placing materials at heights up to 13 ft. The 3013 telehandler weighs 5,300 lbs with a load capacity of 2,700 lbs. It’s compact 4-ft, 6-in. by 8-ft, 9-in. footprint and rear pivot steer make it highly maneuverable, while its light weight allows for transport by a standard pickup truck equipped with a tow-behind trailer. Additionally, the model features four-wheel drive, two-wheel rear steer and a hydrostatic drive system, all supported by a Kubota V-1505 diesel, 24.8-hp engine.

What are JLG’s major product differentiators? What makes your small telehandlers unique and better than everyone else’s?

Advancements that increase operator confidence and productivity and drive safety improvements on jobsites influence JLG and SkyTrak product development. We develop new features and functionality as a result of our teams watching how telehandlers work on jobsites and talking with operators who use this type of equipment every day. Receiving input ensures that when we launch the product, it’s the right solution for our customers. We innovate to bring solutions to the market that solve these unmet needs.

For example, the SkyTrak 3013 and the JLG E313/313 telehandlers are built to be the best solutions for handling and transporting materials in small spaces. Compared to skid steers, these ultra-compact machines offer better reach into truck beds and trailers and over obstacles, in addition to better lift height for single-story houses and dump trucks. The cab designs are spacious, and the boom placement gives operators enhanced visibility versus alternate equipment.

Where do these super small telehandlers end up working? What type of applications are popular for compact or subcompact telehandlers?

This size of telehandler is designed to be used in various applications, including landscaping and hardscaping, agriculture, roofing, concrete and masonry, general construction, building maintenance, warehouse distribution, industrial facilities, municipal work, as well as urban construction and residential projects. These versatile machines can complete many tasks on jobsites, like loading (and unloading), picking up, carrying around, moving from place to place, lifting and placing materials and tools.

Because of their ideal size and ability to easily maneuver jobsites, like congested urban areas and indoor environments, the applications for compact telehandlers vary from the initial phases of a project, where the equipment can be found unloading trucks and delivering materials, to where they can be utilized for jobsite cleanup, indoor applications, landscaping as well as ongoing maintenance of both new and existing infrastructures. 

Farming is big in Europe for small telehandlers. Is that a growing application in America?

Although telehandlers have been used for decades on farms and ranches across Europe for material handling and lifting tasks, until recently, it was less common to find a telehandler on a farm in the United States. That’s because U.S. farmers are familiar with using tractors, equipped with front-end loaders, as their primary lifting and loading machine for oversized materials — and skid steer or track loaders for digging, lifting, carrying and the loading smaller materials. Large farming operations may even have a high-capacity wheel loader or two in their fleet to help move more material in less time.

In recent years, though, telehandlers have gained favor among U.S. farmers who have found telehandlers can efficiently accomplish many of the same tasks as tractors and loaders, while providing greater lift height. Thanks to their telescoping boom design, telehandlers are designed to reach higher and extend further, giving them the ability to lift up-and-over an obstacle. This means that telehandlers can pick, carry and place materials more efficiently.

Small telehandlers are attachment-takers or tool carriers. Tell us about the attachment capabilities of your units.

For increased machine versatility, JLG compact telehandlers can be equipped with a universal skid-steer coupler system, allowing it to attach to various existing telehandler and skid-steer loader attachments, including carriages, forks and buckets. These models also have an integrated hitch for hauling tools around the job, increasing efficiency by reducing the need for additional equipment on-site.

What operation tips can you share when using super small compact telehandlers?

The best advice for every telehandler operator, no matter the size of the machine he/she is using, is that you can’t wing it — you must be properly trained and certified under OSHA regulations (telehandlers are covered in the Powered Industrial Truck 1910.178 regulations mandated by OSHA see: 1910.178 – Powered industrial trucks. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (osha.gov), and you must fully understand the capabilities of the machine you are using, especially how what you need to accomplish applies to the telehandler’s load chart. This includes (but is not limited to) knowing the following:

• The type of material to be lifted and how much it weighs;
• How high the material needs to be lifted;
• How far the machine needs to reach to get the materials into place;
• What attachments you will be using and the proper load chart for each

One of the resources you need to consult before using a telehandler is the machine’s load capacity chart. Every telehandler has one for each attachment it can support, such as a fork carriage, bucket or truss boom. The load capacity chart highlights two key elements: 1) A telehandler’s operating range and 2) its operating envelope. The operating range of the telehandler reflects minimum and maximum boom angles, as well as fully retracted and extended boom positions. The operating envelope is located relative to the attachment’s load center position. Once equipped with this information, the load capacity chart will provide you with guidance that will allow you to utilize your telehandler confidently. 

Before using a telehandler, it is also important for you to walk the jobsite to be aware of your surroundings before operating the equipment. For example, you should know what and where obstacles and/or potential hazards are. And, you should check on these obstacles regularly as jobsite conditions change frequently. Also, you should investigate your route before operating a telehandler to see what the ground conditions are, where any power lines are located and where people may be, as well as what other equipment may be in the machine’s travel path.

What other new technologies are evolving in the compact telehandler market today?

Technology is advancing across all equipment markets, including compact telehandlers. As lithium-ion batteries become more affordable, we expect electrification in this category to continue evolving. Additionally, IoT is transforming equipment development and interaction. Telehandlers are becoming more connected, providing operators and owners with real-time data to enhance decision-making and planning. This connectivity can improve equipment utilization, maintenance, serviceability and uptime. Other digital solutions are streamlining jobsite planning and execution. Technologies such as BIM modeling and AR apps help rental companies and contractors choose the telehandler for the work to be done, increasing efficiency from initial design through project completion.

What advice would you give a contractor looking to buy or rent a super small telehandler?

From a customer perspective, the most common challenge with telehandlers is selecting the right machine for the job. These machines are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Before buying or renting a telehandler of any size, and particularly for super small units, be prepared to answer detailed questions about the work that needs to be completed, including how much weight will require lifting and how much reach is needed to place the load. These two criteria are the starting point in selecting the right model.

Additionally, it is important to understand how site requirements will impact machine selection. For example, in some situations, regulations on emissions may dictate what can be used. If there are restrictions on exhaust, fumes and/or noise, electric machines could be the only option. But, electric isn’t the right fit for every situation; that’s why it is critical to know the site requirements before making a decision on what equipment will be used.

What trends do you see in the compact telehandler market overall? Are buyers gravitating toward certain sizes or technologies? Are there certain regions where sales are increasing or decreasing?

The compact telehandler segment remains one of the fastest-growing in the market, continuing its rapid expansion with strong demand across all regions. This growth has led to an increasing range of models, moving beyond a single option to include compact, super-compact and ultra-compact variations with capacities ranging from 2,500 to 6,000 lbs.

Why? Because contractors and farmers increasingly recognize the advantages of having a machine with a telescopic boom, which offers greater versatility than alternatives with radial and vertical lift paths, like skid steers, wheel loaders and tractors. And because they have a small footprint but still offer plenty of power, compact telehandlers can perform many of the same tasks as larger telehandler models — such as material handling, truck loading/unloading, and operating on rough terrain — while being better suited for space-restricted jobsites. For example, trucks still need to be loaded/unloaded on job sites in space-restricted downtown areas, and when contractors need to move job site materials from place to place, they have to have equipment that fits on the road and can maneuver around various obstacles.

Additionally, these smaller machines provide a cost-efficient solution without sacrificing capability, making them an attractive choice for those looking to maximize productivity and flexibility while keeping operating costs down.

Anything else you’d like to mention?

Connectivity is transforming the telehandler market, enhancing equipment management and operation. Machine data now provides actionable insights, improving jobsite coordination. Connected equipment streamlines communication between machines, operators and project managers, boosting productivity and reducing inefficiencies. IoT also enables real-time tracking of equipment location, usage and performance, optimizing fleet deployment and ensuring the right machines are available when needed. Access to data supports informed decisions on maintenance, fuel usage and operational efficiencies, cutting costs and maximizing productivity. Predictive analytics further enhances connectivity by enabling preventive maintenance. Continuous monitoring detects issues early, minimizing downtime and extending equipment lifespan. Fleet tracking improves utilization and overall management.

Looking ahead, connectivity will continue to drive smarter operations and seamless integration among machines, operators and technicians. Monitoring fleets and predicting issues will not only boost uptime but will also continue industry innovation.

Great reminder and great info overall. Thanks so much for your time, John. For more info on JLG, visit their website at www.jlg.com.

Keith Gribbins is publisher of Compact Equipment.