Products
Current Product Lines
Merlo's current product lines primarily revolve around telehandlers and specialized agricultural and material handling machinery, emphasizing versatility, safety, and technological integration for modern applications in farming, construction, and industry.[16] The portfolio includes compact, medium, high-capacity, stabilized, rotating, and electric models, alongside telescopic tractors and tracked carriers, all designed with modular attachments to adapt to diverse tasks. Key features across lines incorporate advanced hydrostatic transmissions for smooth operation, ergonomic cabs with panoramic visibility, and safety systems like anti-tip sensors and stabilized load controls.[16] Recent enhancements as of 2024 focus on sustainable innovations, particularly electrification in the e-Worker series for zero-emission performance, along with new compact models like the 2023 Turbofarmer 30.7.[17][18]
Telehandlers
Merlo's telehandler lineup caters to agricultural and construction needs with models varying in size and capability. Compact telehandlers, such as those in the TF series including the Turbofarmer 33.7 and the 2023 Turbofarmer 30.7, offer maximum maneuverability in confined spaces like barns or orchards, with load capacities of 6,000–6,600 lbs, maximum reach of 19'4"–28'2", and engine powers from 75–115 HP; they feature the widest cabs in their class for operator comfort and include attachments like forks and buckets for hay handling or feeding.[16][18] Medium-capacity models balance performance and agility for general farm duties, providing 7,300–9,000 lbs capacity, 21'7"–31'2" reach, and 136–145 HP, with hydrostatic drives ensuring progressive acceleration and dynamic braking for safety on uneven terrain.[19]
High-capacity telehandlers, exemplified by the Panoramic P series for construction and heavy agricultural lifting, handle demanding loads up to 25,000 lbs with reaches extending to 57'5" and powers of 116–170 HP; these incorporate stabilized ROPS/FOPS cabs and a wide array of attachments for material transport and placement, prioritizing stability and precision in industrial settings.[20] Stabilized telehandlers in the Panoramic lineup, like the P50.17, enhance safety through selectable load settings and innovative stabilization, offering up to 11,000 lbs capacity and 54'5" heights for elevated work in construction.[21] Rotating telehandlers provide 360-degree turret rotation for multidirectional handling, with capacities to 11,000 lbs and reaches up to 111'6", ideal for complex site operations with built-in safety redundancies.[16]
Agricultural Machinery
Merlo's agricultural offerings include the Multifarmer series of telescopic tractors, which integrate traditional tractor functions like PTO and 3-point hitches with telehandler reach for versatile farm tasks. Models such as the MF34.7 and MF44.9 deliver 7,500–9,700 lbs capacities, 22'5"–29'6" lifting heights, and 140–170 HP, supporting attachments for soil preparation, bale handling, and livestock feeding; their design excels in orchards and vineyards through narrow profiles and compatibility with specialized implements like clamps for fruit harvesting.[22][19] Tracked carriers complement this line with adaptable rubber tracks for soft or uneven ground, enabling efficient transport in agricultural, vineyard, and orchard environments, though specific capacities vary by configuration.[23]
Material Handlers and Other Lines
For industrial and construction material handling, Merlo provides high-capacity telehandlers and specialized vehicles like the DBM concrete mixers and the 2023-updated DM dumper series, which offer off-road reliability with load capacities up to 19,800 lbs for dumpers and drum volumes supporting up to approximately 12,000 lbs for mixers, along with advanced engine management for heavy-duty applications.[24][25][26][27] Compact loaders and modular telehandlers emphasize interchangeability of attachments—such as hooks, platforms, and buckets—for tasks ranging from waste management to site preparation, featuring cab designs with 20% greater visibility and integrated safety tech like regenerative braking.[24]
Recent Updates
In the 2020s, Merlo has advanced electrification across its lines with the e-Worker series, including the EW25-5 model boasting 5,512 lbs capacity, 15'8" reach, and 90 HP electric power, delivering zero emissions, reduced noise, and features like 85° steering and eholder for sustainable operations in agriculture and construction.[17] These models incorporate anti-tip systems and regenerative braking, aligning with eco-friendly trends while maintaining Merlo's focus on performance. As of 2024, new releases include the Turbofarmer 30.7 compact telehandler for enhanced agricultural maneuverability and the updated DM dumper range with improved stability for construction sites.[16][18][27]
Past Models
Merlo's past models represent the company's foundational innovations in construction and agricultural machinery, particularly telehandlers, which evolved from basic loaders to advanced versatile machines. Beginning in the 1960s, Merlo focused on light construction equipment, introducing dumpers and mixers that laid the groundwork for later telescopic designs.[2]
In the 1960s and 1970s, Merlo developed initial models such as the DM and DBM dumpers and off-road concrete mixers in 1966, featuring a pioneering rotating wheel design for improved maneuverability. The CEM off-road forklift followed in 1970, a four-wheel-steered machine with interchangeable attachments for forklift or loader functions across varied terrains. By 1974, the GX construction crane incorporated a telescopic boom with crank mechanisms and a rotating turret prototype, foreshadowing future roto telehandlers. The 1980s marked Merlo's shift to telehandlers with the SM30 in 1981, the first model combining forklift capabilities with a hydraulic telescopic boom, rounded cab, side-shift, double-hinge articulation, and hydrostatic transmission for permanent four-wheel drive. In 1985, the Rambo off-road vehicle offered six-wheel drive for heavy capacities up to 27 tonnes, adaptable for cranes or mixers. The Panoramic XS of 1987 revolutionized visibility through a side-mounted engine and low-slung boom, enabling 360-degree operation and driving significant R&D investments. These early models, now discontinued, emphasized durability and adaptability in rugged environments.[2]
The 1990s and 2000s saw discontinued lines like the Panoramic and early farm-specific series phased out due to advancements in safety, electronics, and efficiency. In 1991, the ROTO 25.11 XS introduced a full rotating turret for 360-degree reach without repositioning, paired with hydrostatic transmission, earning a Gold Medal at Verona Fieragricola. Agricultural models included the P 20.6 (1991) and P 25.9 (1994), which won awards for innovations like the SPACE system for elevated work. The Turbofarmer range debuted in 1996 with seven tractor-certified models for farming tasks, while the Multifarmer in 2000 provided multi-purpose lifting and land work, securing accolades such as Machine of the Year in France (1997). Later examples like the P 34.7 Top CS (2007) featured early cab suspension but were superseded by 2012 for enhanced standards. These lines, including the CINGO tracked transporters (2002), were discontinued as Merlo prioritized modular, tech-integrated successors to meet evolving regulations and user demands.[2]
A key evolution in past models was the transition from mechanical to hydrostatic systems, improving control, efficiency, and terrain handling. The SM30 (1981) pioneered hydrostatic transmission, a leap from prior mechanical setups, followed by refinements in the P 20.6 (1991) for smoother operation. By 1999, an innovative gear change for hydrostatic systems allowed seamless speed-shifting, and the 2000s integrated hydropneumatic suspensions in models like the P 35.7 KT (2004). These shifts addressed limitations in power delivery and safety, phasing out older mechanical variants.[2]