Rotos versus cranes

Scarborough-based Greenwood Hire is actively promoting Merlo's Roto slewing telehandlers as an alternative to cranes in certain lighter operations. The company has placed an order for another two Rotos, bringing the total to seven in a 60-strong all-Merlo fleet.
Proprietor Ed Greenwood has found many Roto converts by sending the machines out on normal jobs and plant manager John Green said many end users are amazed by what the units can do on site.
One such convert is housebuilder Ascot Homes, which, according to site manager Ian Long, had ignored handlers as being too restrictive. But Greenwood's 16m-lift Roto changed his mind.
"We've always used cranes to set our roof trusses, but a crane blocks access to the site," Long said.
"The Roto is small and agile enough to be in position very quickly and get on with the job without preventing access."
Green said the Roto is not a true crane replacement, but the company is expanding the applications of handlers and added that dedicated attachments now allow this to happen in a safer and more professional way.
By working closely with Merlo UK, Greenwood believes he is
satisfying his customers' need for greater efficiency while complying with all the necessary safety legislation.