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Alberta, Canada | Wondering if anyone has run a Merlo telehandler? Thoughts on them? My New Holland dealer picked them up recently and is going full throttle with them, really eager to have every farmer in the area running one or more.
Test drove some at the dealers yard last week, dealer is sending a couple out when we have time to try them out.
The multi-farmer ( http://www.merlo.it/e_prodotti/multifarmer.htm ) is the reason we went to look at them, as it has a direct drive (mechanical) PTO (115 Hp I believe) and 3pt hitch, plus 3 rear remotes. But for our needs, it's too small of a machine (6,600lb lift capacity).
The TurboFarmer ( http://www.merlo.it/e_prodotti/turbofarmer.htm ) is what the dealer is selling the most of, and has a 9,038lb lift capacity, but only a 95 Hp hydraulic PTO, and I don't believe a 3pt hitch.
The Panoramic ( http://www.merlo.it/e_prodotti/P55_9CS.htm ) is by far my favorite, both because its a much bigger machine (12,100lb lift capacity), and it seems much more refined, especially in the cab.
Dad and I were quite convinced that a telehandler had no place on our farm, simply not built strong enough, with one huge weak point (the boom). But after seeing these in person, they look pretty promising, much stronger than both dad's Caterpillar TH and Manitou rotary TH/crane which he has for his construction business. One thing I liked was what Merlo calls a "Ring of Steel" which is a 7" diameter solid steel tubing that goes around the whole machine to protect it from impact. The whole thing is quite primitive, with a lot of idiot proof functions built in (ie, if you overload it, it stops you. you have to either over-ride it by pressing the button, or it'll slowly retract the boom to a safe operating level).
So... anyone?
Edited by JoshA 8/4/2010 11:43
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Merlo (Telehandlers with PTO & 3pt hitch)
