TAL Ltd is a major builder in the Belfast area with a largely Merlo telehandler fleet. They bought their first machine from dealer Saville Machinery some six years ago and now have six machines, including three brand new 4 tonne capacity 17m P40.17 K units. All their machines are less than three years old.

“That’s very important to us” says Director Sam Gratton “The sites depend entirely upon these machines. The drivers all love their Merlo’s - it’s the visibility and the way they can get around confined sites.

Developed from the popular P40.16K 16m machine, the P40.17K has an extra 1100mm of lift height from a minimal 200mm increase in overall length. Capacity to the full height of 16.70m is increased to 2500kg, with only a small 100kg weight penalty. Compared with typical 17m machines, the P40.17K is both shorter and up to 2200kg lighter- an integral part of Merlo’s philosophy.

Like all Merlo handlers, the P40.17K has a hydrostatic transmission here driven by a 74.9kW Deutz engine). Visibility is the feature for which Merlo is renowned. Even on this relatively big machine, operator visibility is unrivalled – for safer, more productive sites. Merlo’s famous integral sideshifter is included, which means the load can be gently swung into position, even at height. It’s a great time and damage saver and costs nothing in terms of lost load capacity or visibility!

A highly impressive top end to the Merlo range, the P40.17K is at its best using the smooth, chain drive four section boom when placing at height. Compact and stable, it’s no surprise that TAL Builders find them ‘indispensable’.

“The sites depend entirely upon these machines” 

Sept 2004

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