Compact telehandlers

Xfaxman · Nov 6, 2017

Here is my anchor.

mike69440 · Nov 6, 2017

You have some decent tires on that thing. Counts for a lot.

Xfaxman · Nov 10, 2017

The telehandler hydraulic trailer hitch: Quick Hitch: Cat Telehandler Operator Tip (Europe) - YouTube

mmancuso13 · Nov 10, 2017

That is really handy!

Xfaxman · Nov 21, 2017

ArmyDoc, we need an update, please, Did you decide on a decision?

ArmyDoc · Nov 21, 2017

Going to go see one a week from Friday. Hadn't been able to get away till now to take a drive up to the dealership. But based on what I've read so far, and unless I find something unexpected, I suspect I'll pull the trigger.

Piston · Nov 25, 2017

That high flow hydraulics option would have me sold over other brands right away.

I️interested to see what you end up with.

ArmyDoc · Nov 25, 2017

Piston said:
That high flow hydraulics option would have me sold over other brands right away.

I️interested to see what you end up with.

That has been the deciding factor for me too. Kind of a winding road to get here though. I started out wanting a tractor with a Cab and FEL. When I told the tractor dealer what I wanted to do, he expressed a lot of concern about using a tractor to do it. He felt I said I should have someone with a forestry mulcher come in and cut brush and scrub sweetgum down, the use the tractor to keep it under control afterwards. And he's probably right, that would be a cheaper way to do it. Problem is I know myself. I won't do that. I've already had someone cut in fire breaks etc. But the ones in the back of the property, I don't see and don't get around to keeping in check. I have my hands full with the parts of the property that I do keep up. I can only spend once a year doing the other parts. (still, probably cheaper to hire it out...)

Anyhow, I started to look at heavy CTLs with a forestry package and forestry mulching heads...whew. Can easily get north of 100k. Then I found the JCB teleskid. It had high flow hydraulics and a telehandler boom. Nice machine, but still ~80k. With a heavy grapple and heavy brush cutter, looking at 90+. Then I found the Merlo machines. They had a telehandler with high flow hydraulics and a 3point with PTO on the back. It seemed perfect. Unfortunately they are only bringing the heavy and medium duty machines over initially (~150hp and ~90hp) and at 145k and 115k, they were out of my reach. I practically begged them to bring over the 27 series in a multifarmer, but they say not possible. No parts network set up, hasn't had emissions certification for the US and too expensive to get for just one machine etc. Oh well.

The 27.6 plus telehandler is just over $65k. It doesn't have the PTO but seems to be the least expensive way to get high flow hydraulics up from front with a strong FEL capability. I'm going up to look at one next friday. Hoping a) find no deal breakers in person and b) that the new job gets my pay figured out by then.

ArmyDoc · Dec 1, 2017

Well, I went and saw it. Nice machine. Handles well, very intuitive. Have some reservations.
First, it has a merlo specific quick-attach called the Tac-lock. I really like it, but, if I get my implements with that on them, would make it hard to re-sell them. If I use the SSQA adapter plate, it's an extra $1800, and the SSQA is manual. No biggie, but with a V519 or JCB 25-60, Its controlled from inside the cab and is a standard SSQA. Merlo Tac-lock implements are more expensive... so the price advantage for the merlo quickly goes away

Second is a double edged sword. It has high flow hydraulics. This is good, because I could run high flow equipment. This is also bad, because I can't run standard flow equipment. The JCB teleskid had both standard and high flow, so I thought that if it had high flow, it would have standard flow too. Apparently not the case for any of the telehandler lines (merlo, JCB, bobcat or what ever) They all have whatever flow they have, and that's it.

Third, the Valves don't have check safeties - would have to add that. So, for example if you're using a grapple, and a line is cut, the grapple will snap down by gravity. With a check-valve, it would stay up. Bobcat and JCB are standard/included. This just kind of bugs me... kind of a nickel and dime thing which doesn't make me feel good.

Lastly, tires are smaller. (thanks a lot tungularafishcamp, Since you pointed it out it's been bugging me.) Rims are 16.5 inches. JCB is 18 and Bobcat v519 is 20, with commensurately wider tires.

They can do a rear hydraulic package on it, for ~$600, and it can have a hitch, just not a 3-point like I wanted. They have a 3-point for it in europe, but not avail here. I even asked if they could order the parts from europe and put them on here. Was told no... :grumpy:

Anyhow, going to take a closer look at the bobcat now. Have seen the JCB, and I like it quite a bit. Probably all three machines are very similar and I won't go wrong with any of them... but that won't stop me from sweating out the details. :laughing: