Modern telehandlers are designed to work in environments where manoeuvrability is just as important as lifting performance. Whether you’re navigating a congested construction site, working in agriculture, operating inside a warehouse, or positioning materials in confined spaces, selecting the correct steering mode can make a significant difference to productivity, safety and ease of operation.
Dieci telehandlers feature three steering modes as standard on many models: 2-Wheel Steering (2WS), 4-Wheel Steering (4WS), and Crab Steer. Each mode is designed for a specific purpose, allowing operators to adapt the machine to changing site conditions at the touch of a button.
2-Wheel Steering (2WS)
2-Wheel Steering functions in the same way as a conventional vehicle, with only the front wheels steering while the rear wheels remain fixed.
This mode provides the greatest directional stability, making it the preferred choice when travelling at higher speeds across site or on roads where permitted. Operators familiar with driving cars, utes or trucks will also find 2WS the most intuitive steering mode.
Best suited for:
- Travelling longer distances across site
- Road travel (where permitted)
- General transport between work areas
- Situations requiring maximum directional stability
4-Wheel Steering (4WS)
In 4-Wheel Steering mode, both the front and rear wheels turn in opposite directions. This dramatically reduces the turning circle, allowing the telehandler to manoeuvre in confined areas where larger equipment would struggle.
For many operators, 4WS becomes the default working mode on construction sites because it provides exceptional agility while maintaining precise control.
Whether positioning pallets, loading trucks, or working between buildings, the reduced turning radius allows operators to complete tasks faster with fewer steering corrections.
Benefits of 4WS:
- Significantly tighter turning circle
- Improved manoeuvrability in confined spaces
- Faster positioning around obstacles
- Reduced need for multi-point turns
Ideal applications include:
- Commercial construction
- Civil infrastructure projects
- Warehouses and logistics facilities
- Agricultural operations
- Material handling yards
Crab Steer
Crab Steer is one of the most versatile features available on modern telehandlers.
Unlike 4WS, where the front and rear wheels turn in opposite directions, Crab Steer turns all four wheels in the same direction. This allows the entire machine to move diagonally while remaining parallel to its original orientation.
Rather than repeatedly repositioning the machine, operators can make small lateral adjustments to align attachments or loads with greater accuracy.
Crab Steer is particularly valuable when working alongside walls, trenches, scaffolding or other obstacles where conventional steering would require additional manoeuvring.
Common uses for Crab Steer:
- Positioning alongside buildings
- Aligning with elevated loads
- Working parallel to trenches
- Navigating around obstacles
- Fine positioning in confined work areas
Choosing the Right Steering Mode
Each steering mode has been designed for a specific operating environment.
| Steering Mode | Best For |
|---|---|
| 2WS | The default steering mode, ideal for longer distances and maximum stability |
| 4WS | Tight turning, confined work areas and everyday site operations |
| Crab Steer | Diagonal movement, precision positioning and working alongside structures |
By selecting the appropriate steering mode, operators can reduce unnecessary manoeuvres, improve efficiency and position loads more accurately.
Why Steering Flexibility Matters
Construction sites are constantly changing. One moment a telehandler may be travelling across a large open site, and the next it may be required to position materials within a narrow access corridor or work beside existing structures.
Having multiple steering modes allows one machine to adapt to each of these situations without compromising productivity or safety.
For contractors, this means fewer repositioning movements, reduced operator fatigue, and faster completion of material handling tasks.
Steering Performance Across the Dieci Range
Many Dieci telehandlers are equipped with 2WS, 4WS and Crab Steer as standard, giving operators exceptional flexibility across a wide range of industries including construction, mining, agriculture, infrastructure and industrial applications.
Combined with powerful hydraulic performance, excellent visibility and robust chassis design, Dieci steering systems provide the precision and manoeuvrability required for demanding Australian worksites.
If you’re selecting a new telehandler, understanding how each steering mode works will help ensure you choose the right machine for your application and make the most of its capabilities from day one.
If you would like more information or to discuss your telehandler requirements, please contact Dieci Australia.
