Masonry Magazine August 2008 Page. 22
TELEHANDLERS
By Brett Martin
Trends in Telehandlers
Compact sizes and new technologies in telehandlers give masonry contractors more options.
Reversing an earlier trend of bigger is better, masonry contractors are now buying small, compact telehandlers.
"In the past, the trend was for bigger, taller and more expensive telehandlers," says Steve Kirst, product manager for Gehl Co. in West Bend, Wis. "Now these smaller units are the machine of choice on larger projects to shack down a jobsite and feed the tower cranes."
Randy Vargason, product marketing manager for Mustang Manufacturing Co. Inc. in Owatonna, Minn., expects the trend to continue.
"Demand for compact units will continue to rise as people come to understand the value," says Vargason. "It used to be that telehandler buyers would go for the largest machines possible, because there were a few times a year they would need that extra-large capacity or extreme reach. But now, contractors understand that it makes more sense to buy machines designed for the kinds of jobs they do the majority of the time, and then rent the larger units a few times a year."
Growing demand for small telehandlers
Compact telehandlers can maneuver in tight spaces, yet they can handle most masonry tasks. "Compact telehandlers are the fastest growing segment of the business. People are seeing the number of applications they have," says Ryan Ford, product specialist for Manitou