Masonry Magazine September 2006 Page. 27
"Contractors look for reliability and one that's simple," said John Koepf, product manager for telescopic handlers for Gehl Company in West Bend, Wis. "They want one that's easy to use." No matter what contractors want, they're sure to find it in this year's breed of telehandlers.
Compact, Yet Powerful
SOMETIMES the biggest tool for the job isn't necessarily the best. The same holds true with telehandlers, which is why Manitou North American in Waco, Texas, hit the market this year with its three-wheel drive "pocket telescopic" telehandler, the Twisco SLT 415.
"It's the world's smallest telescopic handler," said Ryan Ford, construction telehandler specialist for the company. "We believe there is a lot of work being done with a skid steer. We're making [a telehandler] that will do the job better."
With an overall height of 75 inches, the telehandler has a short turning radius of only 88 inches and is capable of lifting 3,000 lbs. up to 13 feet.
JLG Industries in McConnellsburg, Pa., has also introduced a lighter weight model with a compact footprint in its G5-19A telehandler. "There's a market for more compact telehandlers," explained David Baxter, the company's director of marketing and market development. "It's probably the fastest growing segment of the industry."
Smaller, shorter and with a narrower width than other telehandlers, it has a 19-foot lift height with a 5,000-Ib. capacity. Compact telehandlers really prove their worth on congested job sites where space is at a premium, Baxter said. "The shorter length helps de-clutter the job site."
Operating with single joystick proportional controls, the G5-19A has three steering modes for changing conditions: front-wheel drive for on the road, all-wheel drive to reduce the turning radius in tight areas, and crab steer for sideways movements and precision positioning before lifting a load.
"If they really don't have to reach the higher heights, then a smaller telehandler can save on their initial investment," Baxter said. "There's probably less wear and tear on the machine, because there's not as many complicated parts and fewer boom sections. It's a simpler machine."
Big and Extreme
OTHER TIMES, bigger is better. That's when the new XRM1045 by Xtreme Manufacturing in Las Vegas fits the bill. The 10,000-lb. capacity telehandler offers an impressive 45-foot reach, 108-horsepower engine, and a 48-gallon fuel tank enough fuel to keep the machine running two to three days.
"The XRM1045 is our largest capacity model without out-riggers, and has many features and benefits that are standard on all Xtreme telescopic reach forklifts," said Elesha Rasmuson, vice president of administration and sales for Xtreme. "These features include a Perkins turbo-charged diesel engine, 360-degree visibility, robust chassis, foam-filled tires, deluxe suspension seat, improved hydraulics, roller boom, adjustable operator controls, quick attach, full-time planetary four-wheel drive, and service accessibility."