Rotating Telehandler vs Standard: 5 Key Advantages Every Contractor Should Know

The Future of Lifting Isn’t Fixed—It Rotates

In construction, speed, precision, and adaptability aren’t luxuries—they’re necessities. And while standard telehandlers have earned their place on site, a new breed of machine is transforming how pros lift, place, and complete jobs faster.

We’re talking about the rotating telehandler—specifically, the Merlo Roto series offered by Westpeak Equipment across BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. With 360° boom rotation, superior reach, and all-terrain stability, these machines replace cranes, manlifts, and forklifts in one streamlined rental.

Let’s break down the 5 biggest reasons why more contractors are choosing rotating telehandlers over standard units—and how it’s helping them save time, reduce labor, and win bids.

Get in touch with Westpeak to check rotating telehandler availability for your project.

1. 360-Degree Rotation = Fewer Repositions

A standard telehandler lifts vertically and extends forward—but that’s it. When you need to place materials around a corner or reposition to hit a different angle, you stop working, move the machine, and reset.

A rotating telehandler, on the other hand, keeps the base fixed while the boom rotates 360 degrees. This allows your crew to lift and place materials with precision from a single position—cutting down on repositioning time and terrain damage.

If you’re working in tight quarters, steep grades, or congested sites, that kind of control isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.

Learn more about the Merlo Roto 50.35

2. One Machine, Multiple Jobs

A standard telehandler lifts. Maybe it’s fitted with forks or a bucket—but that’s about where the utility ends.

The Merlo Roto? It transforms based on what the job demands. Need to lift forms at height? Attach a winch. Lifting crew? Add a certified man basket. Moving loose fill? Drop on a bucket. It’s a true tool carrier, built to do more than just lift.

That versatility means fewer machines on site, fewer logistics to manage, and fewer subcontractors to coordinate.

And since Westpeak Equipment supplies the Roto with your required attachments pre-fitted and tested, there’s no downtime waiting on missing parts.

3. Stability You Can Count On—Even on Uneven Terrain

Stabilizers on the Merlo Roto aren’t just for show. These scissor-style outriggers create a broad, balanced footprint that keeps the machine steady even on sloped or irregular ground. Combined with intelligent load-sensing hydraulics, the Roto knows its limits and keeps your team safe.

Standard telehandlers often struggle with limited working envelopes or load charts that vary dramatically at height or angle. In contrast, a rotating telehandler like the Roto 50.35 delivers predictable performance across the entire 360° field—especially when fully stabilized.

In the real world, where ground conditions shift, weather changes, and job priorities move fast, that stability is a serious competitive edge.

4. Operator Comfort That Boosts Productivity

Westpeak’s Merlo Roto telehandlers come equipped with pressurized cabs, air-suspended seats, forward-positioned visibility, and touch-screen controls. Yes, they’re rugged, but they’re also incredibly refined.

You might not think a more comfortable machine makes a big difference—but anyone who’s spent a 12-hour day bouncing in an underpowered cab knows otherwise.

Rotating telehandlers help reduce operator fatigue, especially in repetitive lift-and-place jobs. And when your crew’s fresher and more focused, your job gets done faster—with fewer mistakes.

Request a rental with operator training included

5. Lower Overall Costs—Yes, Really

A rotating telehandler may look like a premium option—and in capability, it is. But when you start tallying up what it replaces, the numbers get real fast.

Crane rental? $5,000–$10,000 per week.Certified crane operator? $180/hour.Manlift? Another $1,500/week.Downtime to move machines and wait for subcontractors? Add thousands more.

Westpeak Equipment’s rotating telehandler rental includes attachments, delivery, and on-site support—so you get a lift system, a manlift, and a material handler all in one package.

That’s not just convenient—it’s a cost-cutting advantage that wins bids and keeps overhead lean.

Built for Western Canada. Backed by Westpeak.

The Merlo Roto wasn’t designed in a vacuum—it was made for the kind of sites we see every day across Western Canada. Cold weather. Steep terrain. Long distances. High stakes.

At Westpeak Equipment, we’re not just a rental house—we’re part of the job. We deliver every machine ourselves. We demo it on site. We partner with Hanks Welding & Repair for reliable support and offer local knowledge no big-box rental company can match.

When you rent a rotating telehandler from us, you’re not just getting a machine. You’re getting a machine that’s ready for the job, attachments that actually fit, and a support team who knows your name.

Explore rotating telehandler rental options

Q&A: Rotating Telehandlers vs. Standard Telehandlers

Q: What’s the main difference between a rotating telehandler and a standard one?A: A rotating telehandler features 360° boom rotation from a fixed base, allowing you to lift and place materials across a full circle without repositioning.

Q: Is a rotating telehandler harder to operate?A: Not at all. Most trained site crews adapt quickly, and Westpeak provides on-site demos to ensure your team’s comfortable and productive.

Q: What kinds of attachments are available?A: Forks, buckets, jibs, man baskets, hooks—you name it. The Merlo Roto is compatible with a wide range of tools, all available through Westpeak.

Q: Where does Westpeak Equipment operate?A: We serve all of Western Canada, including BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan—with delivery, setup, and service included.

Final Thoughts

Standard telehandlers are familiar. But rotating telehandlers are next-level.

They lift like cranes. They rotate like towers. They switch attachments like toolboxes. And when you rent from Westpeak Equipment, they show up ready, with the right specs and local support baked in.

If your job demands more than just up and down, it’s time to think in circles—and put a rotating telehandler to work.

Ready to upgrade? Contact Westpeak today

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