Telehandler backs workers

News Story
- 8 Mar 2007 ( #300 ) - RINGWOOD, United Kingdom
2 min read
Telehandler with
Telehandler with "whacker" attachment.
After 20 years of watching block layers damage their backs, the owner of Norfolk, UK-based On-level Paving Ltd (OLP), decided to use a telehandler for laying paving.

Mark Read and David Ellis, who have been professional paving-layers for 20 years, bought OLP seven years ago.

Read was concerned by the degree of back injuries suffered by block layers.

"Inevitably, that means a serious risk of permanent back injury by the early 40s. And, that simply is not acceptable or moral these days," he said.

Instead of workers manually lifting individual blocks and placing them below foot level, OLP now uses a Probst laying machine, which places one square metre of paving at a time. A Merlo Panoramic P34.7 TOP model telehandler with a "whacker" attachment, made by Stehr, in Germany, is used to tamp down blocks and then, with a sweeper attachment, sweep the area after sanding.

Telehandler with sweeper attachment.
Telehandler with sweeper attachment.
Each man in a team can lay up to 40 square metres of blocks a day but, using the machines, a two-man team can lay up to 600 square metres a day.

Read said no manufacturer he approached could provide the "fine speed control" he required for the application.

"Only Merlo, with its hydrostatic drive, could offer the potentiometer speed control," he said.

Merlo spokesperson Peter Grant said that, to his knowledge, Merlo was the only telehandler manufacturer to fit "as standard" a potentiometer speed control.

"Because we use a hydrostatic drive with electronic management, a simple potentiometer can be used to very accurately set speed.

"It is most commonly used on agricultural applications where a close control of forward speed is needed for spraying. In this application, the driver can dial in a forward speed to suit the type of blocks [being] laid and the degree of tamping needed," he said.

Modifications to the telehandler include a boom suspension system, an additional hydraulic cooler and semi-industrial tyres.
Briefs
Briefs 3 Jul 2025 - 1 min read
AITT issues reminder on need for certified training
AITT issues reminder on need for certified training 26 Jun 2025 - Hugglescote, United Kingdom - 1 min read
Previously about:
Amilcare Merlo remembered News Story - 24 Nov 2022 - San Defendente di Cervasca, Italy - 2 min read
JCB tops UK telehandler market News Story - 21 Feb 2019 - 1 min read
Merlo adds compact models News Story - 14 Jan 2016 - Cuneo, Italy - 1 min read
Do you have materials handling news? Submit your news here

We’re excited to launch a major upgrade to the Forkliftaction forums, packed with new features and improvements. Here’s what’s new:

  • You can now add up to two photos to your posts
  • New search & navigation - find what you need easier
  • Smart brand/model tagging across all forums
  • Top contributors recognised for their efforts!

 Head over to the forums to check it out!

Words of support …

Thanks to advertising with Forkliftaction, GemOne has experienced a significant enhancement in our online presence. Working with Forkliftaction has enabled us to boost engagement with our targeted audience, resulting in an increase in information requests and downloads of valuable materials from our website. Forkliftaction has consistently delivered outstanding results, helping us to effectively connect with the right audience.

Justine Lootens, CEO

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

Even the heaviest lifts must be easy to handle. That’s why N.C. Nielsen raises the bar in lifting capacity, maneuverability, operator comfort, flexibility and technical capabilities.
Heavy duty reach stackers – lifting capacity from 85 to 180 tons.
VIEW ALL OUR CUSTOM-BUILT HEAVY DUTY REACH STACKERS

Contact us now: +45 99 83 83 83 - www.nc-nielsen.com

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

Even the heaviest lifts must be easy to handle. That’s why N.C. Nielsen raises the bar in lifting capacity, maneuverability, operator comfort, flexibility and technical capabilities.
Heavy duty reach stackers – lifting capacity from 85 to 180 tons.
VIEW ALL OUR CUSTOM-BUILT HEAVY DUTY REACH STACKERS

Contact us now: +45 99 83 83 83 - www.nc-nielsen.com