There are a couple of criteria to consider when looking at purchasing a new telehandler. The first is do you really need one? Like any business, balancing what you need with what you can afford is crucial.

Things to consider are lifting capacity and reach/lift height. There are two main transmission types, hydrostatic and torque converter with power-shuttle. The latter can also feature mechanical gear changes or powershift. Powershift versions will be dearer but more productive with the potential for faster movement in a varied work environment.

Road-going speed may also be important if the farm is fragmented. Torque converter versions with lock-up will make journeys quicker if there is enough power under the bonnet. For travelling in the field, at least one axle should have a limited slip differential.

A load-sensing hydraulic system is generally best as you get the maximum oil flow at a lower engine rpm.

Consider your implement carriage system, particularly if you have existing implements suitable for a telehandler. Most manufacturers can provide different carriage options. In Ireland the Matbro pin and cone system is popular and perhaps one of the easiest to use.

Do you choose an articulated or a side-boom machine? Side boom machines have a longer boom, so benefit from a better reach. The downside is poorer visibility of the implement up front and a blind right-hand side artic. Four-wheel steering on side-boom machines make them very manoeuvrable. A rigid chassis also makes them feel more stable than an articulated telehandler.

Articulated telehandlers on the other hand generally have excellent visibility of the implement out front. The nature of their steering system adds an extra dimension to load placement or positioning of the boom. Reach will generally not be as good as on a side-boom machine simply because it is mounted on the front section of the machine and is shorter.

They do not necessarily feel as stable as a side-boom telescopic loader but there is something about artic steer machines that makes them ideally suited to agricultural use. It would be very hard to convert anyone that uses one back to a side-boom machine.

The following is a selection of the telescopic loaders that will be on display at the FTMTA Farm Machinery Show.

NC

The NC FH225 telehandler has a maximum lift height of 4.69m and a maximum safe load-handling capacity of 2.4t. Powering the NC FH225 artic steer telescopic loader is a four-cylinder, 100hp Deutz engine which develops a maximum torque of 350Nm at 1,500rpm.

Drive-train includes a four-speed power-shift transmission and there are full limited slip differentials on its axles. Standard tyres are 405/70R-20s all-round. A load-sensing hydraulic pump provides an oil flow of 91 litres/min for steering and boom hydraulics

Merlo

McHale Plant Sales Ltd will be bringing the Merlo Multifarmer P30.9 to Punchestown. This is a unique machine in that it is a telescopic loader with a rear three-point linkage and PTO. The Irish Farmers Journal tested its smaller sibling, a Multi Farmer 30.6 Classic, some time ago. This proved itself to be a versatile machine.

It has a maximum 3t lifting capacity and a maximum lifting height of 8.55m. Powering it is a 120hp Deutz engine which is matched to a 40km/h, two-speed hydrostatic transmission. Lift capacity at its rear linkage is a more than respectable 4.3t. A two-speed 540/1,000rpm PTO is available on the rear while a front PTO is also available (1,000rpm).

JCB

ECI JCB will bring both side-boom and artic steer telescopic loaders (plus much more) to the show. The JCB 531-70 is one of the firm’s side-boom machines with JCB Dieselmax 100hp engine in Agri variant and 130hp in Agri Plus, Agri Super and Agri Xtra. Stats include a forward reach of 3.7m, lift capacity of 3.1t and lift height of 7m.

Agri Super and Agri Xtra have the new six-speed Powershift transmission that has TorqueLock in fifth and sixth gears for optimum travel performance. Agri and Agri Plus feature a four-speed powershift transmission. Load-sensing LSP+ hydraulics provide a maximum flow of 110l/min standard on the Agri and Agri Plus models. New closed centre load sensing piston pump hydraulics with a maximum flow of 140l/min with ‘dial-up’ constant-flow auxiliary feature is standard on Agri super and Agri Xtra models, but also optional on Agri plus models.

JCB’s articulated telehandler, the TM320 uses the 4.4 litre JCB Ecomax engine which produces 125hp (93kW) and 550Nm of torque. The TM320S comes as standard with a 4.8 litre Ecomax engine developing 145hp (108kW). A six-speed JCB Powershift transmission with TorqueLock is standard.

Standard is a 140 litre/min Variflo hydraulic system and proportional control of auxiliary services. Forward reach is 3m while lift capacity is quoted at 3.2t and max lift height is 5.2m.

JCB Finance is now open for business in Ireland. Funding is available from JCB at competitive rates for both new and used JCB equipment.

Claas Scorpion 6030

There are six models in the Claas range of Scorpion telehandlers with lift heights of between 6m and 8.8m. The firm will bring its entry-level Scorpion 6030 to Punchestown and perhaps one of its large models.

The Claas Scorpion is powered by a 122hp Deutz engine and features the firm’s Varipower transmission. Lifting capacity is 3t while maximum lifting height is quoted at 6.15m. Hydraulic capacity is quoted at 140 litres/min.

Claas has introduced what is calls a ‘Smart Handling’ system for the machines. This gives four operating loads for the telescopic arm. These are bucket mode, stack mode, vertical mode and manual mode. The Smart Handling system allows the loader’s drop rate to adjust to the weight of the load and its angle. The higher and heavier the load, the lower the drop rate.

There is a new automatic bucket return position system and this can be stored in the machine for quicker loading cycles.

Weidemann

Wilsons of Rathkenny handle the Weidemann range of German-built telescopic loaders here in Ireland. Wilsons will be bringing three models from the Weidemann lineup, including the T4512, 4080T and 3070.

The smallest of these is a side-boom machine, the Weidemann T4512. This is powered by a Yanmar 40hp engine. Max height is 4.5m while lifting capacity is 1.2t. The Weidemann 3070 and 4080T are both articulated telescopic machines.

The 3070 CX80T is powered by a Deutz engine developing 75hp. It has a 2.2t lift and max height is 5.1m. The Weidemann 4080T is powered by a Perkins engine which develops 117hp. This has a 2.5t lift and a max height of 5.1m. All feature hydrostatic drive. Wilsons is offering three years/3,000hrs warranty as standard – this offer is only available until 31 March 2015.

Dieci

Dieci Ltd (Alan Milne Tractors) will be bringing both side-boom and artic telehandlers to Punchestown. A side-boom machine, the Dieci Mini Agri 25.6, is powered by a 75hp Yanmar engine. Maximum lifting capacity is 2.5t while maximum lifting height is 5.78m.

The Icarus 40.14 is a construction machine complete with front jacks. It is powered by a Kubota engine which develops 114hp. Maximum lift capacity is 4t while maximum lift height is 13.5m.

The Agri Pivot T60 is an all-fam machine, artic steer telescopic loader. Powering it is again a 75hp Yanmar engine matched to a four-speed hydrostatic transmission. Tipping load capacity is quoted at just over 4t with boom retracted and machine straight. Lifting height is quoted at just over 5m.

Schäffer

German company Schäffer makes a huge range of loaders from 35hp to 180hp, in articulated shovels, compact articulated shovels and articulated telescopic handlers. It is likely that Schäffer will bring its 9630 to the show.

This is an articulated telescopic machine with a 123hp Deutz engine and two-speed hydrostatic transmission. Standard is load-sensing, 120 litres/min hydraulics with flow sharing to boom functions. Top speed is 35kph and boom suspension is standard. Its vital statistics are a 4.2t lift capacity and maximum lift height under loader arm of 5.3m.

Manitou

Jim Macadam Equipment Ltd is Manitou Construction Dealer for 13 counties and is bringing an MT625 to Punchestown. While not an agri-spec machine, it provides a flavour of what Manitou has to offer.

The MT625 is a compact side-boom telescopic loader powered by a 75hp Kubota engine. This is matched to a two-speed hydrostatic transmission. It has a 2.5t lift capacity and maximum height is quoted at 5.85m.

The firm also brings a 195hp Case 721F loading shovel and a Case SR200 skid-steer loader.

New Holland

New Holland will bring its LM7.35 side-boom telescopic loader to the show. It is powered by a FPT engine developing a maximum rated power of 110hp. It has a 4x3 powershift transmission and a roading speed of 40kph. Stopping power is provided by oil-immersed disc brakes on both axles.

A limited slip differential is standard on the front axles while it is available as an option on the rear axle. A 120 litre/min gear pump (open centre) supplies all the boom hydraulics. It has a maximum lifting capacity of 3.5t and maximum lifting height of 7m.