The best piece of machinery on site!

April 2007

Senior Tool Pusher (Rig Manager) Dave Walker seems impressed too, having previous experience of Merlo 10 tonne machines. “We’d like more capacity, of course” he says “But, these sites are a compromise between lifting performance and size. There’s a lot to pack in here and the compactness of the Merlo machines is absolutely vital.”

Watching the P72.10 supporting part of the drilling structure during assembly, it’s obvious that the hydrostatic transmission and sideshift are also essential, as precision placing is required. As Dave points out, the necessity for a few more crane lifts with the 7.2 tonne capacity of the P72.10 is outweighed anyway by its lower price. Also essential for Dave was the support both direct from Merlo UK and the local dealer, Professional Machinery Solutions of Aldermaston (this was actually the first Merlo sold, although they have now sold five since starting in January 2007). There are few telehandler manufacturers specialist enough to offer high capacity machines and only Merlo were able to come up the information and support.

Roughneck Ray Rungary spends a lot of time on the P72.10; “A great all-rounder” he says “Yes, even more capacity would be great, but size is more important here. And, the fact that I can see clearly around the machine is vital - it’s often hectic and I need to be certain everyone else is safe.”
Once again it is Merlo’s unique concept that wins the day. Capacity is not enough. Working on this type of high performance industrial site requires compactness, manoeuvrability and good all-round visibility.
Matching safety with performance remains the key to the world-leading Merlo design principles. Safety, precision and performance - surely what Merlo is all about!

Drilling for oil is one of the toughest applications for men and machinery. A new P72.10 has proven a vital tool for this wellhead erection team. Oil rig specialist company Larchford Ltd is erecting a new high-tech drilling rig for Star Energy Oil UK Ltd near Stockbridge in Hampshire.
These sites are compact and the equipment weighty, so mechanical handling is a must.

Larchford Managing Director, Mike Dursley, says that their new Merlo P72.10 is probably “the best piece of machinery on the site!”

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