New handlers in North Americax

The North American market has certainly attracted European manufacturers. For example, Case has launched the 3.3 t lift capacity, 12.8 m lift height TX742; the 3.6 t, 12.8 m heightTX842; and the 4.1 t, 13.7 m TX945 models. The company said it anticipates the 3.6 t model will be the most popular in that market.

The machines, manufactured in Italy, will be available in the first quarter of 2008. The company said two additional European handlers – a 2.7 t, 10.7 m lift height model and a 4.5 t, 16.8 m lift height model – will follow in the next quarter.

A Case 4.5 l engine powers the loaders, the engine also in Case's larger skid steers and five of its backhoe loaders. A canopy will be standard on all models, although an enclosed cab will be an option.

Case said there are no plans to manufacture the handlers in North America.

Sister company New Holland, meanwhile, plans to expand its of “European-style” telehandlers in the US, a move that follows the introduction of the M427, M428 and M459 last year. It will make available this summer the M357, a 3 t, 10.7 m lift height model. Following that will be the 4.5 t, 16.8 m reach M551. The company said also it could introduce a “mini-handler”.

US manufacturer Pettibone says market demand for the 0.32 m horizontal boom travel feature on its Traverse Series led it to expand the range with the 5 t, 17 m lift height T1157. Having debuted at World of Concrete, the first production unit will ship in April.

The machine is powered by a Cummins Tier III, 81 kW turbo-diesel engine, and it also has the frame-mounted outriggers, and trunnion-mounted sway cylinders that characterise the Traverse series.

Meanwhile, Canada's Skyjack recently acquired, fellow-Canadian, privately-owned telehandler manufacturer CareLift. CareLift handlers are very North American in style and Dave Stewart, Skyjack's vice president of marketing and sales, told IRN the focus will be on North America, where CareLift has strong dealerships in certain parts of the US and in Western Canada (Hertz is a dealer there).

Said Mr Stewart; “Much of the US market is largely untapped – we can address the current markets that are being missed.” Skyjack plans to triple production levels – currently 230-250 machines annually – over three or four years.

Skyjack will move CareLift manufacturing to its Guelph, Ontario facilty soon. As far as branding is concerned, the well-accepted Zoom Boom name will be kept, although over time CareLift is likely to make way for the Skyjack name.