Liebherr's New T48-8s Telehandler Offers a True 26-Foot Lift Height

Liebherr recently noted it’s expanding its telehandler lineup with the new T48-8s, which looks to hit a sweet spot for North American material handlers. This machine delivers a true 26.2-foot lift height with a 10,580-pound maximum lift capacity. That puts it in the heavy-duty industrial class without stepping into full monster telehandler territory. The big change sits in that boom. The T48-8s uses a boom that is about 22 inches longer than the Liebherr's T55-7s model. That single design shift unlocks more forward reach and an extra 3.3 feet of stacking height. Operators can now load containers, hoppers, and bulk trailers without burying the machine into piles.

Liebherr built this machine for industrial yards, recycling centers, ag operations, and large material terminals. Anywhere that stacks high and moves fast, this machine fits. And unlike many “8-meter” competitors that top out around 25 ft, Liebherr says the T48-8s actually delivers 8 meters, which is 26+ feet. This could easily be a core fleet machine for contractors who move serious material every day, so let’s dig in. 

T48-8s key specs

• Max lift height: 26.2 feet
• Max lift capacity: 10,580 pounds
• Engine output: 154 horsepower
• Hydraulic flow: 52.8 gallons per minute
• Boom extension over T55-7s: +22 inches
• Display: 3.5-inch standard, 7-inch optional
• Steering modes: Front, all-wheel, and crab

Commonality with the T55-7s telehandler model

Liebherr is embracing uniformity across its telehandler portfolio. The T48-8s shares its drivetrain, hydraulics, and cab with the T55-7s telehandler. That gives fleet owners consistency across parts, service, and training. Let’s talk about power (feel free to make this noise). Liebherr quickly points out that the T48-8s uses a load-sensing hydraulic system with variable flow, pushing up to 52.8 gallons per minute or gpm. Operators can perform multiple movements at once without feeling the lag — inching forward, raising the boom, running the attachment or carraige — this unit stays steady and smooth. The engine also matches the T55-7s (154 horsepower). That means plenty of power for implements, fast travel speeds, and moving heavy loads.

Cool technology on the T48-8s telehandler

Tech helps make this telehandler stay efficient and safe. Eco-Motion enables load-free lowering. The boom drops without revving the engine. Fuel burn drops. Component wear drops. Operator comfort improves. The multifunction joystick is mounted directly to the seat, and it moves with the operator, enabling precise control. There’s also an electronic pre-control system that enables the integration of Liebherr assistance systems such as Auto Power, Fine Control Mode, and Automatic Telescope Retraction. 

Visibility and stability matter here

We mentioned the longer boom in the lede, but it does more than reach higher. According to Liebherr, it reduces the lift angle needed to dump. That keeps the load in the operator’s line of sight. Better visibility equals fewer collisions (if we're doing our math correctly). It also means less guesswork when loading tall containers or trucks. From this press release (we translated the metrics to imperial): “The T48-8s features a 22-inch longer telescopic boom than the T55-7s. This extension provides operators with an additional 3.3 ft of lift height and forward reach, enabling more efficient material handling, particularly when with bulk trailers, hoppers, or loading containers up to 13.1 ft high.” Liebherr also optimized the dump angle. Material flows out faster and cleaner. Gotta love that, especially when working in recycling and bulk handling where every cycle counts.

Intelligent cab and controls

The standard 3.5-inch display shows core machine data. The optional 7-inch display adds deeper diagnostics and system feedback. Both are cool. Operators can switch steering modes electronically through a rotary control. Operators can jump between front steer, all-wheel steer, and crab steer instantly. Crab steer shines in tight yards. All-wheel helps on uneven surfaces. Front steer handles road travel. 

Don’t miss Liebherr’s 2026 Power Deals

We just noticed that Liebherr is also rolling out its 2026 Power Deals program, but alas, it does not currently include telehandlers. The program instead targets selected earthmoving and material handling machines, including TA 230 articulated dump trucks, wheeled excavators from the A 913 Compact through A 924, and material handlers from the LH 18 through LH 80. Buyers can receive a 2 percent annual financing subsidy for the first two years through participating Liebherr partners. Liebherr is also marking the 10-year anniversary of its XPower wheel loader line with limited-time discounts on new machines and attachments. In addition, the program includes tire discounts for certain wheeled excavator models in select regions.

Liebherr is clearly pushing hard on equipment investment this year. It begs the question: Are you?