How to Choose the Right Telehandler
If there's one machine that's earned its place on modern farms, it's the telehandler.
From feeding out in the morning to stacking bales, loading fertiliser, shifting pallets and helping with general farm maintenance, a telehandler quickly becomes one of the hardest-working pieces of equipment on the property.
But choosing the right one isn't always straightforward.
With different lift heights, lifting capacities, engine sizes and features available, it's easy to become focused on specifications rather than asking the bigger question:
What does my farm actually need?
At Garton Mechanical Services, we believe buying machinery should never be about buying the biggest or most expensive option. It's about finding equipment that works efficiently, is reliable and suits the way you operate.
Here are some of the key things we encourage customers to think about before investing in a telehandler.
Start With the Jobs You'll Be Doing
Before comparing brands or models, make a list of the jobs your telehandler will do throughout the year.
Will it mainly be:
Feeding out silage?
Handling wrapped bales?
Loading fertiliser?
Stacking pallets?
General yard maintenance?
Many farmers underestimate just how versatile a telehandler can be. Choosing a machine that can comfortably handle a range of tasks often provides better long-term value than buying one that's only suited to a single job.
Think about the work you'll be doing five years from now—not just next season.
How Much Lift Height Do You Really Need?
It's tempting to think that more lift height is always better, but that's not necessarily true.
If you're only stacking two or three high in your hay shed, paying for extra reach you rarely use doesn't make much sense.
On the other hand, if you're regularly stacking large square bales or loading trucks, additional lift height can make everyday jobs safer and more efficient.
The best choice comes down to how you'll use the machine.
Lifting Capacity Matters Too
Lift height gets most of the attention, but lifting capacity is just as important.
Wrapped silage bales, bulk bags, feed bins and pallets can all vary significantly in weight.
Choosing a machine that's comfortably rated for your typical loads helps improve stability, reduces stress on the machine and provides greater confidence for the operator.
It's always better to have a little capacity in reserve than constantly work at the machine's limits.
Mechanic's Tip
One of the quickest ways to shorten the life of any machine is regularly asking it to do more than it was designed for.
Working at maximum capacity day after day places extra strain on hydraulics, driveline components and tyres. Selecting the right-sized machine from the beginning often results in fewer repairs and a longer working life.
Don't Overlook Operator Comfort
A telehandler might be used for several hours every day.
Comfortable seating, good visibility, intuitive controls and a well-designed cab don't just make the operator happier—they improve productivity too.
When operators feel comfortable, they're generally able to work more efficiently and with less fatigue, particularly during busy periods.
Consider Servicing Before You Buy
This is one area many buyers don't think about until it's too late.
As diesel mechanics, we've seen how the design of a machine can make routine servicing either quick and straightforward—or unnecessarily time-consuming.
Ask questions like:
How easy is engine access?
Are daily checks simple to carry out?
Are grease points easy to reach?
How readily available are parts?
Who services the machine locally?
A machine that's easy to maintain is more likely to receive regular servicing, and regular servicing almost always means fewer unexpected breakdowns.
Why We Like Faresin Telehandlers
We supply Faresin because they strike a balance that's important to our customers.
They're practical, comfortable to operate and built to perform across a wide variety of agricultural tasks.
Whether you're feeding stock every morning or handling heavy loads during harvest, Faresin telehandlers are designed to be reliable workhorses—not machines that spend unnecessary time in the workshop.
Just as importantly, we can support them with servicing, parts and technical advice long after the sale.
Buying a Telehandler Is About More Than the Machine
Choosing the right telehandler isn't just about comparing specifications.
It's about finding a machine that's reliable, suits your operation and is backed by people who'll still be there when you need servicing or technical support.
At Garton Mechanical Services, we're here to help you weigh up your options, answer your questions and recommend machinery that genuinely suits your farm.
Talk to the Team at Garton Mechanical Services
Whether you're buying your first telehandler or replacing a machine that's served you well for years, we'd love to help.
Get in touch with Garton Mechanical Services to discuss the Faresin range, arrange a demonstration or simply have a chat about whether a telehandler is the right fit for your farm. We're here to help farmers across Northland make confident, informed machinery decisions.