TELEHANDLERS
21
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2014
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INTERNATIONAL
TakeCaterpillar, for instance,whichhas
launched two newmodels specifically targeted
tomeet the requirements of rental fleet
operators – the 12.8mmaximum lift height
TH414CGC and 17mmaximumTH417C
GC,with rated load capacities of 3600 kg and
4000 kg, respectively.
The company said low operating costs,
simplemaintenance, reliability, durability,
and ease of operationwere at the heart
of the design,withheavy-duty boom and
frame construction,field-proven power-train
components, robust hydraulic system, and
intuitive operator’s stations.
Caterpillar said itsUK dealer Finning
recently sold €30millionworth of
telehandlers – a total of 436TH414C,
TH337C andTH417Cmachines – to rental
companyHewden in the largest single order
of building construction products that Finning
had ever completed.
JLGhas also launched a newRS (Rental
Spec) range for theEuropean,African and
MiddleEasternmarkets.The JLG 3614RS
and 4017RS telehandlers feature a 3.6 tonne
maximum lift capacity and a 14mmaximum
lift height and a 4 tonnemaximum lift
capacity and 17mmaximum lift height,
respectively.
BrianBoeckman, JLG Industries global
T
he 2014T30 (Telehandler30) ranking
of the largest telehandlers fleet sizes
acrossNorthAmerica, compiled by
AI
sister publication
Access,Lift&Handlers
,
found that rental fleet numbers increased 9.2%
a year to 49,038 units from 44,878 in 2013.
Comparing 2012figures (39,094 total units) to
2014’s, the growth is even larger at 25%.
Evidence fromEurope also suggests that
rental companies are increasingly turning
their attention to these products; Finland-
headquarteredRamirent, for instance,
acquired the telehandler business of Kurko-
KoponenCompanies earlier in the year.
It is not surprising then, that signs also
point tomanufacturers focussing on the
rental industry,with a handful of newmodels
specifically beingmarketed at this sector.
Producers aremaking a big play of the robust
construction and easy service andmaintenance
requirements of these rentalmodels.
Telehandlers are becoming
more important for rental
companies, particularly in
the North American and
Europeanmarkets, while
manufacturers are also
widening their high capacity
ranges.
HelenWright
and
EuanYoudale
report.
TheManitouMHT 14350 is theworld’s biggest
telehanderwith a load capacity of 35 tonnes.
Left: director of Manitou Southern Africa and
(right) vice president sales Francois Piffard.
Filling capacity
product director – telehandlers, said the
machines were designed for the rental
market by the rentalmarket. “Operators will
immediately appreciate themachines’ simple,
comfortable cab,which includes single joystick
controls, enhanced visibility from the cabin,
and amechanical suspension seat – all for
enhanced comfort and productivity.”
TheTier 4Final-compliant JLG 3614RS
and 4017RS telehandlers are also said to have
straightforward service andmaintenance
requirements.
Middle East demand
Meanwhile,GabyRhayem, regional
director forDoosan InfracoreConstruction
EquipmentMiddleEast andAfrica, said
demand from rental customers in theMiddle
East was very strong.At the IntermatMiddle
East exhibition at the start of this year,
Doosan brandBobcat launched its 18m reach
T40180 telescopic handler in the region, and
Ms Rhayem said the company had seen a very
successful product introduction.
“Themarket ismainly for construction,
including contractors and rental.Rental
activity is very strong in theMiddleEast and
this year wewill sell 20% from our target to
rental companies and in 2015,we should reach
30% of our sales to the rentalmarket.”
Xavier Larroque,Bobcat business line
director for telescopic handlers, said the
manufacturer was working on a new 3.6 tonne
capacity telehandler with a lift height close to
12m to be launched at the end of the year.
“Our biggestmarket for highest capacity
The two latest telehandlers from
Caterpillar are the 12.8mmaximum lift
height TH414C GC and 17mmaximum
TH417C GC (pictured) – targeted tomeet
the requirements of rental fleet operators.
