Telehandler manufacturer Merlo continues to tempt crane buyers with more crane-like models, writes Alex Dahm.

Mobile crane users are becoming more interested in telehandlers, claims marketing manager Paolo Peretti. Around 320 units this year (10% of total production) are expected to be slewing models, most of which will go to crane hire companies in Germany, Belgium, Holland and France. Small mobile cranes, up to 25t capacity for example, spend 80% of their time handling small loads rather than their full capacity, according to Peretti. He cites shorter set up times, lower price and increased versatility as advantages over cranes. It might take half an hour to set up a crane on site but a telehandler only needs two minutes, he says.

Merlo’s new Tower Jib model, exhibited at Intermat and designed to compete with self-erecting cranes, has a lattice jib with trolley, mounted on a telehandler. Maximum horizontal reach is 13m and lifting capacity is 800kg all along the jib. Mounted on the Roto 40.21 EVS, the Tower Jib has a maximum horizontal operating height of 21m and a maximum operating height of 32m with the jib fully luffed. No separate carrier is needed for road travel because the jib can be removed and stored on the right hand side of the chassis.

Merlo also has four new telehandlers. Largest is the Panoramic P 101.10 K, the first 10t capacity telehandler on the market, Peretti says. An 8t Manitou was previously the highest capacity telehandler available, he says.

The new Roto 50.16 EVS is a 5t capacity slewing telehandler with a 16m reach, aimed at tunnel work, rebar handling and erectors of steel buildings. It has a six cylinder 95kW engine.

Other new handlers from Merlo are the Roto models 33.13 K and 30.16 K. The former has a 3.3t capacity and 13m reach while the latter reaches higher, to 16m, and has a 3t capacity.