Melbourne hosted the Hire and Rental Industry Association’s annual expo, with some machinery relevant to the agricultural sector on display
Among the likes of cranes and scissor lifts inside Melbourne Convention Centre for Hire25 were some pieces of machinery well suited to Australian farmers.
Telehandlers and excavators were being showcased by exhibitors at last month’s expo, which was complemented by an awards night and conference.
Organisers have confirmed next year’s event will be hosted in Sydney on May 27-28.
Here is a look at a few pieces of machinery which were on show during this year’s event.
JCB
The 525-60E electric telehandler took pride of place on JCB’s stand.
First launched locally in 2023, this telehandler produces zero emissions, has a near-silent performance and provides full-day operation on a single charge.
It also offers fast charging options to the maintenance-free lithium battery, while delivering what JCB describes as the same performance as its diesel-powered counterpart.
The 525-60E also gives operators up to 2,500kg lift capacity, 6m maximum lift height and 3.5m reach.
Merlo
A model from its popular Turbofarmer range was part of what Merlo showcased during Hire25.
The TF27.6 is described as a compact model, offering a 2,500kg lift capacity, 3.3m maximum reach and 6m maximum lift height.
Powered by a 75hp engine, it is one of many Turbofarmer models which have proven popular with Australian farmers due to its reliability and strength.
It also provides hydrostatic transmission and has been well suited to agricultural sectors such as fruit, nuts and cotton.
Dieci
Another telehandler on display was Dieci’s newly launched Apollo Smart 20.4.
The brand, which also produces many telehandlers specifically designed for various agricultural sectors, describes the Apollo Smart 20.4 as “the most compact and agile of the Dieci mining telehandlers”.
A 50hp Kubota engine features on this fixed boom telehandler, which also has a maximum 4.35m lift height and 2,000kg lift capacity.
Dieci says it excels in tight spaces without compromising on power or precision, and it also has three steering modes, a robust boom and spacious cabin.
Bobcat
Two Bobcat machines which offer versatility for farmers – the S650 skid steer loader and E17Z mini excavator – were being shown at Hire25.
Available through Bobcat Australia, which is a division of Clark Equipment, these machines complement other Bobcat products seen on local farms such as tractors and mowers.
The E17Z mini excavator has a zero-turn swing, making it ideal for working in compact spaces, and offers plenty of features such as a 16,177N bucket digging force plus a 3.97m reach.
Bobcat’s S650 skid steer loader has a 1,220kg rated operating capacity and 2,440kg tipping load and is a vertical lift path model which offers greater forward reach for loading into trucks.
