Columbia Basin, Ephrata, WA | grower3 - 12/4/2023 11:26
Was discussing with a neighbor the pros and cons of various telehandlers. Probably just forks no bucket. He thinks something small and nimble would be the cat's meow. I'm leaning more towards something that will lift anything I want it to but not necessarily to the moon. Basically a 5-6000# machine vs a 10-12000# machine with maybe 40' lift and outriggers. More of a wish list than a serious search
The greatest majority of jobs around the farm aren’t heavy or high, so I’d side with your neighbor in favoring small and nimble for a first machine. Unless you have something specific in mind that requires 40’ of lift regularly, that’s not the way to go, IMO.
We have had a Manitou 523t (5,000# rated, 16’ high reach, will lift 6,500 up close) for 18 years now and it gets used all the time. We bought a slightly bigger Bobcat this year to move hay and pick rocks, and the guys still go for the Manitou first if both machines are there.
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Telehandler dreams
