Telehandlers are a fantastic machine for certain applications. Stacking hay, working with forage etc. It won't take the place of a wheel loader for durability,(digging in dirt/rocks) but it has much more reach. N.H. telehandlers are very reliable, made by Manitou. Manitou is a French company, but don't hold it against them, their whole line is very solid. Cat, JCB and even Terex are also very good options. There are many other telehandlers of US and foreign make, but I don't know enough to comment
Of those 5, NH Cat Manitou, JCB and Terex, I would say it is a toss up decided on personal preference and dealer support. My personal favorite is the NH/Manitou, they are comfortable and refined, but tough that's a nice comination if you have to be in one all day.
Although they have some followers, early JD handlers did not compare favorably in the hydraulic strength area with anything other telehandler. In the U.K. where green machines are very popular, a JD handler is a very hard machine to sell. I don't know if JD ever fixed all the hydraulic woes they had, I suspect that the damage from the reputation of the first handlers has lead to the demise of the JD telehandler. Boots