Most farms get by with a tractor and loader for years. Then one day you're trying to stack round bales three high, or reach across a trailer to grab a pallet off the far side, and you realize the loader just isn't built for that. That's usually when people start asking us about telehandlers.
We've got a 2022 Merlo P40.13 Plus on the lot right now, and it's a good example of why these machines have caught on with farmers, contractors and landscapers alike.
So What Does a Telehandler Actually Do?
Think of it as a forklift and a loader with a long reach. Instead of fixed loader arms, a telehandler has a telescoping boom that raises and extends. You can park in one spot and put a load up high, out front, or over the top of something in the way.
Put forks on it and you're moving pallets and loading trailers. Swap to a bucket or bale handler and it's a whole different machine. That flexibility is really what you're paying for.
The Numbers on the P40.13 Plus
Merlo's model names tell you most of what you need to know. The "40" means about 4,000 kg of lift capacity, which works out to roughly 8,800 pounds. The "13" is about 13 meters of lift height, or a little over 42 feet. Actual capacity at full extension depends on how far out the boom is and what attachment you're running, so check the load chart for your specific job.
For most farms, that's plenty. You can stack hay higher than you ever could with a loader, and you're not wrestling heavy pallets at the edge of your equipment's limits.
Where It Pays Off on the Farm
The biggest difference you'll notice is reach. With a loader, you're constantly pulling up, backing out and repositioning to get close enough. With the Merlo, you stay put and let the boom do the work. Loading a flatbed from one side, stacking bales in the barn, or setting feed and supplies up on a mezzanine gets a lot quicker.
It handles the everyday stuff too, like moving pallets of seed and fertilizer, shuffling bulk material around, and unloading deliveries without waiting on someone with a forklift.
Not Just a Farm Machine
We sell a fair number of telehandlers to folks who don't farm at all. Contractors use them to move lumber and block around a jobsite and set materials up where they're needed. Landscapers like them for pallets of pavers, mulch and soil. Businesses with a big property or a lot of incoming freight use them as an all-around material mover.
If you've got heavy stuff to lift and a loader can't quite reach where it needs to go, a telehandler probably makes sense for you.
Why Look at a Used One?
A new telehandler is a serious investment. A 2022 model gets you a modern machine with current features without taking the full hit of buying new.
Like any used machine, you'll want to look at the hours, the service records, the overall condition and what attachments come with it. We're happy to walk you through all of that on this one. Just ask.
Come Take a Look
If you've been making do with a loader and running into its limits, come out to Taul Equipment in Cecilia and see the P40.13 Plus in person. Tell us what kind of work you've got going on, and we'll give you a straight answer on whether this machine is the right fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can a Merlo P40.13 Plus lift?
The P40.13 Plus is rated for about 4,000 kg, or roughly 8,800 pounds. That's the maximum with the boom retracted. As you extend the boom out and up, the safe capacity drops, so always check the load chart in the cab for the job you're doing.
How high can the Merlo P40.13 reach?
Maximum lift height is about 13 meters, which is a little over 42 feet. That's more than enough for stacking hay, loading high-sided trailers, or setting materials on a roof or upper floor.
What's the difference between a telehandler and a tractor loader?
A loader lifts up in an arc and doesn't reach far in front of the tractor. A telehandler's boom extends outward as it raises, so you can place a load high and far out without moving the machine. Loaders are great for ground-level work like scooping and pushing material. Telehandlers are better when height and reach matter.
What attachments can you use on a telehandler?
Pallet forks are the most common, but buckets, bale spears and bale handlers, and other material-handling attachments can all turn a telehandler into a different tool for different jobs. Ask us which attachments are available for the P40.13 Plus and which ones fit the work you do.
Is a telehandler worth it for a small farm?
It depends on how much lifting and stacking you do. If you're regularly moving hay, loading trailers, or handling pallets of feed and supplies, a telehandler can save a lot of time over a loader. If most of your work is at ground level, a tractor and loader may still be the better fit. We're glad to talk through it with you.
What should I look for when buying a used telehandler?
Start with the hours and the service history. Look over the boom for wear, check the hydraulics for leaks, and look at the tires and the overall condition of the cab and controls. It also helps to know which attachments come with the machine. We'll go over all of that with you on any used unit we sell.
Do you need a license to drive a telehandler?
On your own farm, you generally don't need a special license. Businesses with employees running telehandlers are a different story, since OSHA treats them like rough-terrain forklifts and requires operator training. If that applies to you, check the current OSHA requirements before putting someone in the seat.
Where can I buy a Merlo telehandler in Kentucky?
Taul Equipment in Cecilia, Kentucky, just outside Elizabethtown, carries Merlo telehandlers along with new and used farm and commercial equipment. Stop by or give us a call to see what's on the lot.
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