Used Telehandlers Hold Value

Ever since JCB invented the telehandler in 1977, it has proven to be a handy machine on farms and in the construction industry. More nimble than a forklift and faster than a skid steer, it can be used for a variety of agricultural tasks. 

“For livestock producers, handling bedding, feed, and hay are big uses — here in Pennsylvania, there is a lot of poultry, and farmers use them to move a lot of litter,” said Gary Hauseman, sales manager for Hoober Equipment in eastern Pennsylvania. “People also use them to move fertilizer, and for general maintenance, like tree trimming and snow removal.”

He said prices have remained steady, with constant demand for good used machines.

“We have some customers who put lots of hours on, running them daily, and others who put 300–400 hours a year on a machine,” Hauseman added. “Most of our units are coming from ag and going back to ag.”

Recent Sales Data

A search of model year 2022 and newer telehandlers sold on machinerytrader.com found 3,814 listings, with an average auction price of $104,903. The highest listed price was $1,133,615, for a 2023 Manitou MHT12330 in Illinois with 233 hours;  and the lowest was $45,500, for a 2022 Genie GTH5519 in Texas with 423 hours.

Most popular manufacturers sold were SkyTrak (675), JLG (535), Manitou (381), JCB (337), and Genie (299). 

Hauseman noted that machines coming in with 4,000–5,000 hours tend to sell for about half of the new price. 

Features to Look For

There is a difference in ag telehandlers and construction or rental telehandlers, said Stephen Grant, a JCB product specialist. 

“We think of our ag operators as being in the cab for a full day, instead of rental users, who may just be in for a few hours, so we put a lot of thought into operator comfort for our ag line,” he said. “Where you put your coffee, how you turn on your seat warmers when it’s cold outside. We want our ag operators to get the most bang for their buck.”

All JCB ag telehandlers include Smooth Ride Control, which allows the boom to float with the load, even at road speeds up to 30 mph. This makes for a much more comfortable operator experience.

Grant also said, when considering a used machine, look at how the inner boom is constructed. 

“When you extend your boom out, there is a greater risk of stress onto the inner boom,” Grant said. “Our competitors have a box around the inner boom, with welds on all four corners. JCB’s design is a U-shape, with welds on the bottom left and bottom right corners, creating just two stress points instead of four.” Carefully inspecting boom operation before buying a used machine can save time and money in repairs. 

Tires are another item to look at carefully. Replacements can run up to $10,000 per tire, so condition is important. 

“With a telehandler, you’re not skidding the tires, like on a skid loader, but they still develop wear and tear, based on how the machine is used,” Hauseman said. 

Maintenance records are always a valuable thing to have, if possible. Knowing how often the machine was serviced and by whom adds value for the next owner. Technology, such as JCB’s LiveLink, standard on newer machines, can help fill in some of those gaps. 

“It tracks the history of the machine, so you can see how it was used – extending and retracting, how many hours a day, things like that,” Grant said. “Even if the previous owner didn’t use it, a second owner can go to their local dealer and have it turned on.”

Is a Telehandler Right for You?

Hauseman said every farm has different needs, but when he talks to prospective customers, he always asks a few questions. 

“It’s important to know what they are replacing and what’s the reason,” he said. “Are they replacing a tractor and a loader with something more maneuverable? Or do they want something really nimble that can get into tight spots?”

He said there’s always a place for someone to have multiple pieces of equipment, but sometimes, a telehandler can make you more efficient.

“If you’re running skid loaders, the tires are the most expensive thing to replace, because you’re burning the rubber right off,” Hauseman said. “With a telehandler, you’re not skidding and you can do many of the same jobs as a skid loader. 

“If you’re looking to do the same jobs as a tractor and a loader, you’re much more maneuverable with a telehandler,” he continued, “but you’re dedicated to loading where a tractor can do other things as well.”