Abstract: A cable reel handler for mounting at the rear of a truck for loading and unloading of cable reels. The handler comprises a pair of lift cylinders pivotally supported in fixed positions on the truck, a pair of lift arms pivotally connected to the truck rearwardly of the lift cylinders, and a piston and cylinder arrangement for moving the lift arms transversely whereby the spacing between the lift arms can be varied so that cable reels of different sizes can be engaged by the lift arms. A pivoting link is connected at one end to each one of the lift cylinder pistons, and each link is connected at its opposite end to one of the lift arms. The connections at each of the ends of the pivoting links comprise swivel connections whereby the loading and unloading can take place at any variation of the spacing between the lift arms. The piston and cylinder connection between the lift arms permits independent movement of the lift arms.