One type of machine having a more noticeable presence on the Ag in Motion show grounds in recent years is telehandlers. As on-farm material handling becomes a bigger and heavier job, farmers are paying more attention to them.
One telehandler model designed specifically to appeal to farmers is the Merlo Multifarmer. This three-model range of machines offers lift capacities from 3,400 to 4,400 kilograms. As well, boom reaches go from seven to nine metres, giving it much more flexibility in material handling than a regular loader tractor.
“The Multifarmer is a series Merlo makes that has a three-point hitch, rear hydraulics and 540 and 1,000 p.t.o.,” says Troy Johnson, a partner in the Saskatoon Material Handling dealership that retails the Merlo line.
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“They’ve taken an industrial piece of equipment and added farm functionality.”
One model on display on the grounds of the Ag in Motion show was the 44.9.
“44.9 is the size of this particular model,” he says. “4,400 kilograms of lift, 10,000 pounds and nine metres of boom (extension), 29 1/2 feet. That’s the crux of getting efficiency out of this machine.
“With the hydraulics, PTO and three-point hitch, it has all the functionality of a tractor. I have customers that cut hay and bale with the Multifarmer. So it will do those functions, and it will do a whole bunch of functions a tractor won’t do. You have a two-yard wheel loader, essentially. You have a 35 foot reach with a man basket, so you can do building maintenance, yard lights, stuff around the farm, load rocks without damaging the machine.”
Under the hood, its side-mounted Iveco engine is rated at 170 horsepower. Johnson says they have put a similar model on a dyno and found it put out 150 h.p. on the power take-off.
Typically, using a machine with a long-reach boom would require some crane operator skills to prevent overturning it and the load, but the Merlo has a built-in safety system that will allow a relatively inexperienced operator to use it. The machine will automatically shut the boom function down before it gets to a critical tipping point.
“It will let you know where you are with your centre of gravity,” says Johnson.
“As you go out with the boom extension, it will tell you where you’re at with your load chart. If we hit the end of capacity of the machine, it’s going to shut us off. If you try to step outside the load chart, it’s going to shut the boom off, so it won’t allow an inexperienced operator to put themselves in harm’s way.”
When extending or retracting the boom, the hydraulic system automatically slows the boom down to avoid hard hits at the end of the travel range.
Utilizing that 10,000 pound lift is where you get your efficiencies, Johnson says.
“But you have to set yourself up with the right attachments to take advantage of the lift. It will handle twice as much product on the front end, bales or whatever you’re doing. Speed of material handling is really where they excel over a farm tractor.”
Merlo has made recent improvements to the Multifarmer line to make the operator’s environment a little nicer.
“They’ve made enhancements,” he says.
“The joystick is nicer, cleaner to move. The design on the control gives you better ergonomics. The (CVT) transmission has been improved.”
To provide a smooth ride, both the cab and boom ride on active suspensions.
“It has cab suspension,” Johnson says.
“So it’s an active suspension with a nitrogen accumulator and a hydraulic cylinder. You can fine tune how soft you want it with a needle valve, but it will automatically weigh you and set the accumulator for your weight. In combination with the boom float, which is also a nitrogen system, will give you a plush ride as good as any tractor with cab or axle suspension.”
Johnson says that because Merlo manufactures most of its own components, parts availability and longevity have been exceptional, in his experience.
“They build their own axles and differentials. They cut their own gears. Ninety per cent of the machine is made by them in their factory. They even mould their own plastic for the cab. They do this so they’re in control of the parts delivery. They don’t rely on a third party supplier for a component.”
