15
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2015
ACCESS, LIFT&HANDLERS
A
s themanbehindwhat is currently the
largest telehandler produced in the
U.S. (the behemoth70,000-pound-
capacity XtremeXR7038), DonAhern isn’t all
“bigger is better.” Ahern, the owner of Xtreme
Manufacturingwhich is known for its robust –
and typically large– telehandlers, says demand
from rental aswell as higher construction
activity across theU.S. has fueled the need for
smaller teles.
“The compact telehandlermarket is already
well-established andperformingwell,” Ahern
says. “We anticipate that wewill see continued
growthwithin the compact telehandler sector in
2015, despite the trend toward largermodels,
which cater to a different sector of themarket.”
Industries, Inc., which set the foundation for fleet
expansion in this area.
“While the energy industry has in recent
years increased the demand for telehandlers
with capacities greater than10,000pounds,
two-thirds of theNorthAmericanmarket is
still comprised of telehandlerswithmaximum
capacities less than10,000pounds,”Boeckman
says. “We expect this to remain largely
unchanged in2015.”
Caterpillar agrees
“Themarket for compact telehandlers inNorth
America is growing at a tremendous pace, with
the industry averagingdouble digit growth year
over year since2011,” saysMikePeterson,
product specialist for Caterpillar. “Similar
pace of growth in2015 shouldbe expected as
customer acceptance of thesemachines on
residential and commercial jobsites grows.”
Caterpillar has a number of newproducts in its
pipeline, including an additional compactmodel
set to launch in the next 12-24months.
Also new for 2015 is JCB’s compact 525-60
Hi-Viz telehandler, whichwas shown at ConExpo
2014. Stuart Fox, productmanager at JCB, says
there is a backlog for the525 right now and that
the tiny tele has “drivenup a lot of excitement.”
“We’re still seeing anupward trend for
compact units,” Fox says. “[2014] was a big
year for JCB.”
JCB’s new compact 525-60 telescopic handler
replaces the524-50, 527-55 and520-50 rear-
enginemodels. It features a lowboompivot
point for increased visibility, a74hp, Tier 4
final, 2.5 liter JCBdiesel by Kohler engine, three
steeringmodes and a two-speedhydrostatic
Compact telehandlers are typically usedwithin
the general construction sector and also through
a variety of application channels including
non-residential, residential andmasonry
construction. The units can also be usedwith
landscapers, contractor’s supply yards, recycling
facilities and farmers, saysRoy Vinden, product
specialist for Caterpillar.
However, historically, residential construction
growth led customers to grow their telehandler
fleetswith6,000-pound capacitymachines – if
their utilization is high enough to justify fleet
expansion. Right now, residential construction
and overall telehandler fleet utilization are
trendingupward, saysBrianBoeckman,
global product director for telehandlers at JLG
COMPACT TELEHANDLERS
The compact crew
Whilemanufacturers continue toadd reachandcapacity to
their telehandler lineups, the ‘littleguys’ are still plugging
awayon jobsites.
Lindsey Anderson
reportsoncompact kits.
Caterpillar expects good sales
in 2015 for compact units such
as the company’s TH255C.
Gehl’s RS5-19 telehandler
has a rated capacity of 5,500
pounds andmaximum lift
height of 19 feet, 1 inch.
