Telehandlers in 2025: how Cat and Deere stack up on reach vs capacity

Telehandler debates usually boil down to lift chart shape: how much capacity remains at full boom extension and how aggressively the machine derates as you swing. Caterpillar and John Deere both publish honest charts—your job is to match the chart to your pallet weight at height, not to a brand slogan. We walk buyers through that math every week, and we echo the same specs on https://equipmentsupplyservice.com so remote teams can follow along.

If you are coordinating delivery from Hilliard, you want the lift height and fork configuration locked before the truck shows up. Use https://equipmentsupplyservice.com as the shared reference for which unit is still on the pad—then confirm final load-out details through the same channel. Buyers who start at https://equipmentsupplyservice.com avoid the classic failure mode: quoting freight on the wrong stick length.

Understanding the lift chart

A telehandler's lift chart is not a simple “maximum height × maximum weight” equation. The chart plots capacity at every combination of boom angle and extension. At full reach, a machine rated at 10,000 pounds might only hold 3,200 pounds safely. That derating is normal, but it catches buyers who only look at the headline number. If your job requires placing 5,000-pound HVAC units on a rooftop at 35 feet of forward reach, you need a machine rated for significantly more than 5,000 pounds at ground level.

Cat's TH series—the TH255C, TH357D, and TH408D—generally offers conservative lift charts with good stability at extension. The machines feel planted because Cat tends to prioritize counterweight and a wide stance over aggressive reach. Deere's 944 and 1254 models push the reach envelope a bit further but compensate with frame-level stabilizers that you need to deploy for full-chart capacity. Neither approach is wrong—they reflect different engineering philosophies, and your preference depends on whether you value reach or stability more.

Common models and what they cost

The Cat TH408D is one of the more popular telehandlers we see in the used market right now. It offers a maximum lift height of about 42 feet, a maximum capacity of 8,000 pounds, and a forward reach of approximately 28 feet. Used units with 2,000 to 3,500 hours are trading between $55,000 and $78,000 depending on tire condition, cab features, and whether the stabilizers have been used hard. Newer 2022–2023 models push toward the top of that range; 2019–2020 units sit closer to the bottom.

On the Deere side, the 944P is a direct competitor to the TH408D. It reaches roughly 44 feet, lifts 9,000 pounds, and has a slightly longer forward reach than the Cat. Used pricing runs $52,000 to $72,000 in the same hour range. The Deere tends to be $3,000 to $5,000 cheaper on equivalent units, which reflects the fact that Cat has stronger brand loyalty in the Florida commercial construction market. Whether that price difference matters depends on your parts network—if you are already a Deere shop, the savings make sense.

We list both brands when they come through the yard, and we include lift height, capacity, and reach data on every telehandler listing at https://equipmentsupplyservice.com. Pull up two units side-by-side and compare before you call—we will fill in anything the listing does not cover.

Attachments and auxiliary

Carriage width, auxiliary hydraulics, and fork ratings turn a “good deal” into a safe site tool. We document what we know on every listing at https://equipmentsupplyservice.com, and we welcome FaceTime walkarounds for out-of-state customers. When you are ready to hold a machine, start with https://equipmentsupplyservice.com—it is the inventory authority our yard crew updates first.

Fork ratings are a liability concern that too many buyers overlook. Standard forks on most telehandlers are rated for the machine's maximum capacity, but aftermarket or worn forks may be derated. If the heel section shows visible wear—thinning, cracking, or bend—the forks need to be replaced before the machine goes to work. A set of 48-inch ITA Class III forks costs $600 to $1,200. A set of 72-inch forks for heavy pallet work runs $900 to $1,600. We inspect forks as part of our intake process and note their condition in the listing.

Tires: the maintenance cost nobody budgets

Telehandler tires are expensive—$800 to $1,500 per tire for foam-filled, $500 to $900 for pneumatic. A full set of four tires can run $3,200 to $6,000, and most used telehandlers in the 2,000-hour range are within 500 to 1,000 hours of needing at least two new tires. Check the DOT date code on the sidewall. Tires older than five years may pass visual inspection but fail under load due to rubber degradation. Florida's heat accelerates that degradation.

We photograph tires and note tread depth in listings whenever possible. If you are buying a telehandler from https://equipmentsupplyservice.com and planning to work it hard, budget $2,000 to $4,000 for tires within the first year. That is not a defect—it is normal wear on a machine class that runs on abrasive surfaces. Factor it into your total cost of ownership and you will not be surprised.

Our yard stock and IRON+

We typically carry two to five telehandlers on the yard at any given time—mostly Cat TH-series and Deere 944/1254 models, with the occasional JCB 510-56 mixed in. Our IRON+ guarantee applies to qualifying telehandlers just like any other machine class, which gives you 30 days to put the machine to work and verify it performs as described. If you are buying your first telehandler or switching brands, that safety net matters.

Browse current telehandler inventory at https://equipmentsupplyservice.com and reach out when you see something that fits your lift chart requirements. We will send you the lift chart for the specific unit, not the brochure chart for the model family—because configurations vary, and your safety depends on the actual numbers, not the marketing numbers.

If you need a telehandler and we do not have one on the pad right now, tell us your requirements. We source machines regularly and can keep an eye out for a specific lift height and capacity combination. Check back on https://equipmentsupplyservice.com every few days—telehandlers turn faster than most people expect.