Specialist focus: Plant: Telehandlers steal the show

This year has been a vintage season for new telehandlers, bulldozers and loaders, with the majority of the new machinery launched or demonstrated at Bauma, SED and Hillhead. One sector which appears to have an insatiable appetite for new models is the telehandler market, which has been well-served with debutantes this year.

Bobcat took the wraps off its new T2250, which blurs the lines between a tele, a skid steer and a compact wheeled loader.

Measuring 1.97m high, 1.8m wide and 4.1m in length, the machine is claimed to be more versatile on materials handling duties – not least through its 2.2t lift capacity and 5.2m lift height.

From little to large telehandlers, another machine enjoying its maiden appearance this year is from Kramer. The 4009 offers a 4t lift capacity and 9m working height. By locking the oscillating front axle, the 4009 can lift a 3t load to full height. The range-topping machine delivers 75kW as standard, but can be fitted with an optional 91kW Deutz power unit.

Other Kramer newcomers include two mini loaders, the 250 and 350, which share the same rigid chassis and four-wheel steering as their larger stablemates. At just 1.2m wide, the models are powered by 15.6kW and 22.4kW engines respectively.

Meanwhile, French manufacturer Manitou has extended its rotating boom range with the MRT3050. The 5t lift capacity machine has a 29.7m maximum lift height and up to 25.5m forward reach. It comes with a rated capacity indicator to prevent overloading and pentagonal five-component telescopic boom for increased rigidity. The MRT3050 uses two independent hydraulic pumps, one for all fork movements, and a second for the stabilisers, suspension and tilt compensation.

Other new model introductions to the telehandler sector include the Dieci Apollo 25.6. This is the Italian firm’s latest offering to the compact telehandler market. Its vital statistics include a width of 1.8m and a 1,910mm height when shod on 16-inch tyres or 1,950mm on 18-inch rubber.

The latest additions from Merlo include a revised range of compact Roto machines that are lower cost than the full MCSS rotating structure machines. Models include the 38.14 and 38.14S, the 38.16 and 38.16S, plus the range topping 50.10S. The S signifies Merlo’s axle suspension system, allowing a 40km/h travel speed.

For Genie’s telehandler range, the firm’s latest offering is the GTH-4013SX. Powered by a 75kW Cummins engine, it has a 4t lifting capacity and a maximum 13m-lift height.

Compact loaders

On the compact loader front, a newcomer to the UK market includes the three model Boxer Equipment range, built by US firm Compact Power. The series includes the 300, 400 and 500 machines, all of which can be used with a choice of over 50 attachments. Takeuchi exhibited its new TL120 tracked skid steer loader which is the firm’s four machine range. The TL120 measures 1.47m wide, 1.97m high and has an overall length of 3.22m.

The machine tips the scales at 2,755kg, and is powered by a 37.3kW Yanmar diesel engine that drives both tracks through a hydrostatic system using piston motors. As a result, travel speeds are 9.3kph forward, and 6.5kph in reverse.
Compact tracked loaders appear to be very much in vogue, with skid steer manufacturers rushing to convert their wheeled machines. Jumping on the bandwagon is New Holland will its C175 compact tracked loader, and Case which previewed its CT440 compact loader. JXCB also gave its Robot range (both wheeled and tracked) a makeover including Dieselmax engines and new cabs.

At the same time, market-leading Bobcat has introduced the S100 to its skid steer line-up. This unit weighs just 1.8t and has a rated capacity of 453kg and a tipping load of 907kg. With a 1.9m height, 2.3 length and a 1.2m width (over the wheels), it’s no surprise that the S100 can easily manoeuvre in confined spaces.

Caterpillar used Bauma to display 60 machines including skid-steer, multi terrain and wheel loaders, together with telehandlers.

New products include: the 953D track-type loader; M318D and M330D material handlers; 906H, 907H, 908H compact wheel loaders. Other introductions included the 256C skid-steer loader, the 297C multi-terrain loader, the TH246 telehandler and the 991K large wheel loader.

In mining terms, the most significant news was a major update to the company’s large wheel loader range. The three new variants are the 991K, 992K and 993K. The 991K is larger than the existing 990H loader but smaller than the 992G - effectively creating a new class.

Liebherr unveiled a new telehandler range and its new PR 764 dozer which, weighing in at 54t, is claimed to be the world’s largest fully hydrostatic bulldozer. Now the flagship of the firm’s bulldozer range, the PR 764 employs a revolutionary drive concept: The 315kW V8 diesel engine drives the crawler by means of four variable displacement pumps - each in a closed circuit.

Rubbing shoulders with the dozer, the company’s L 586 wheel loader has a 31.4t tipping weight and a 20.5t tipping load. Featuring electronic drive control, it is powered by a Liebherr V-8 engine developing 309kW.

Also introducing a new dozer and loader double act this year was Komatsu. The company unveiled new machines in both categories. The manufacturer’s new 13-t D5EX/PX-22 dozer is powered by a 97kW Stage IIIa-compliant engine to push a 2.9m3 blade.

Komatsu also chose this year to give its Dash-6 wheel loader range a good airing. This includes the 203kW WA470-6 and the WA380-6. Slotting between the WA320-5 and WA430-6, the WA380-6 replaces the popular WA380-5 and is powered by a 142kW engine. Completely redesigned, the new machine offers even higher static and dynamic stability than its predecessor. Together with the optional transmission lock-up system, Komatsu claims this enables safe and comfortable load and carry operation.

In the new Volvo line-up is the F-series, the company’s latest loading shovels, which includes the L60F, L70F and L90F medium duty machines. The L90F is fitted with the firm’s own D6E engine, packing more power and torque than the L90E it replaces. With 130kW on tap at 1,700rpm, the L90F uses an electro-hydraulically controlled powershift transmission and software to implement smooth gear selection and timing.

From Case came the new E-series wheel loaders, including the 221E, the 921E, 821E and the 721E. The largest 921E tips the scales at almost 23t and has a 4.42m3bucket and a 220kW 11-litre Cummins engine.  The biggest changes over the outgoing D series are in machine layout – the engine is now at the rear of the loader adding to stability, with a cooling pack positioned between the engine and cab.

At the entry level, the 221E promises to be a ‘versatile tool carrier’. This 221E gets a 45.5kW liquid cooled, naturally-aspirated Deutz engine, with drive to all four wheels via a hydrostatic transmission. The twin range transmission gives working speeds from 0-6kph and 0-20kph, with an optional 35kph version available.

Ahlmann unveiled its “AX” series of compact articulated loader range comprising three models with standard bucket capacities of 0.7m³, 0.85m³ and 1m³.

At SED, New Holland exhibited a full product range, with appearances by the C175 tracked skid steer loader, and the W190 wheel loader as driven by James Bond in the film, Casino Royale.

Meanwhile, Doosan’s wheel loading shovels, the DL200 and DL250, offer reduced noise levels and larger, more comfortable cabs and lower emissions and Hyundai presented its Dash 7A wheel loaders. The A denotes Stage IIIa engines, and the upgraded models get extra functions on the control lever and a “light” automatic mode that cuts gear changing times by 20%.

Alongside the western marques, an increasing number of Chinese manufacturers have used this year to introduce loaders and bulldozers. Many of these were displayed at Bauma.

Cheng Gong, with over 2,000 employees at six factories, offers its 17t CG958 loader which is powered by a 163kW engine can be fitted with a 3.1m3 bucket.   

Meanwhile, Shantui is keen to promote its five-model bulldozer series, which range from the 57.4kW SD08 to the 309kW SD42. The smaller models are offered with different spec options including low ground pressure, long track and direct drive.

Another Chinese manufacturer which is a sleeping giant in western markets is Foton Lovol. The company’s FL966F wheel loader is equipped with a Cat 3306B 175kW ‘licensed engine’ and has an operating weight of 19.6t.
From Russia, the Chetra range of bulldozers and wheel loaders also provide significant eastern promise. Its seven-model bulldozer range features powershift transmissions, engine outputs from 103kW to 433kW, with operating weights from 16t to 68t.