A total of 60 new telescopic loaders, or telehandlers as they’re more commonly known, were registered during the month of February 2024, according to the Farm Tractor & Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA).

This marks a healthy 13.2% increase on February 2023 when 53 new units were registered.

January 2024 was also a positive month for new telehandler sales, recording 160 registrations, and 2.5% more than in January 2023.

With a total of 220 new units registered up to the end of February, the market sits 5.26% ahead on the period last year. The counties with the most registrations for the two-month period are Meath (34 units), Dublin (26 units) and Wexford (24 units).

The two leading brands, JCB and Manitou, account for 67% of the total market, while Kramer has grown to a healthy 15% market share. There were 43 imported used telescopic loaders registered in February 2024.

Wheeled loaders

The wheel loader market has a slightly different story to tell for the year to date up to the end of February.

A total of 21 new registrations were recorded in February 2024, 9% less than during the period in 2023 when 23 new units were first registered.

Meanwhile, January recorded 20.4% less registrations compared with 2023, when 35 new units were registered.

The counties with the most new units registered so far this year are Limerick (nine units), followed by Tipperary (seven units) and Cork (six units).

Backhoe loaders

In total, 11 new backhoes were registered in February 2024 and six during January 2024, taking the total up to the end of February to 17 units.

This leaves the market for the first two months of the year 15% behind 2023 (three units).

Cork leads the registration count for the January and February period with five of the 17 new units registered.