Telehandlers can gather a steady momentum in future
The current market size of telehandlers in India is around 350-400 machines which is very low. However, the growth in the demand has just set in, feels Souma Ray, Director, Haulotte India.

What are the major application advantages of telehandlers?
Telehandlers are versatile machines and have a wide range of applications across sectors. They are used in infrastructure, construction, mining, metals and minerals, logistics, ports and shipyards etc. Owing to its four-wheel drive characteristic, a telehandler can be used in rough terrain applications. Further, the availability of various options such as forks, bucket, jib with crane hook, winch and man basket (which are quick interchangeable types) these machines can be used for different applications in a short period of time.

What are the range of telehandlers you offer? Do you also offer attachments? At Haulotte, we offer three ranges of telehandlers. COMPACT range (HTL3210, HTL3510, HTL4010): As compact telehandlers with a capacity to lift 3.2 to 4 tonnes designed to lift any type of load to heights up to 10 m, this range addresses needs in the construction and industrial sectors where performance and compactness are inextricably linked.

HIGH LIFT range (HTL3614, HTL3617, HTL4014, HTL4017): This range is able to lift 3.6 to 4 tonnes up to 17 m, a significant advantage for operating at work sites in all environments. Regardless of the configuration on the ground and obstacles, as a four-wheel-drive and steer vehicle, it offers both power and manoeuvrability. HEAVY LOAD CAPACITY range (HTL5210, HTL7210): An entirely new line of Haulotte telehandlers specifically adapted for heavy loads, this range addresses needs for handling loads of 5.2 to 7.2 tonnes. It accordingly completes the existing product offering which now covers a wide range of solutions adapted to the specific needs of each user.

HTL 5210: This latest addition to the Haulotte range offers the best load rating for the 10 m segment with a lift capacity of 5.2 tonnes up to a height of 10 m, representing a maximum forward reach at 3.5 tonnes to 5.8 m with the stabiliser.

Ideally suited for all types of applications in the heavy construction, mining, oil, port cargo handling, and recycling sectors this telescopic handler is synonymous with optimal productivity.

Thanks to its exceptional performances, the HTL 5210 directly rivals the 10/12 tonne ranges with an unbeatable price/performance ratio!
The stabilisers, included in the standard configuration, ensure an excellent horizontal outreach, and the rear axle locking system of the HTL range offers greater lateral stability for a very high load rating performance for the upper section.

Easy to operate on non-stabilised surfaces, HTL5210 is a four-wheel drive and steer all-terrain telehandler. This model is equipped with a hydrostatic transmission for high precision movements and an inching pedal system for a smooth and easy approach. The result is an extremely versatile range of applications based on the availability of numerous compatible accessories.

The HTL 5210 is a powerful telescopic handler powered by a Tier 4i/Stage IIIB-compliant Perkins 113 hp (83kW) engine for Europe, and a Tier 3-compliant Perkins 95 hp (70 kW) for Latin America, North America, the Asia-Pacific region, Russia and the Middle East.

HTL6508 and HTL7210: The HTL6508 and HTL7210 are extremely powerful ?heavy load capacity' telehandlers with lift capacities without stabilisers for 6.5 tonne up to 7.7 m for HTL6508, and 7.2 tonne up to 9.5 m for the HTL7010.

Ideally suited for safely handling bulky and heavy loads, the HTL6508 and HTL7210 are adapted in particular for extraction industries and civil engineering works and perfectly adapted for pick-up and carry operations.

The HTL6508 model sold in Europe and North America and the HTL7210 model in Latin America, the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East, complemented the HTL 5210 model by offering load capacities of more than six tonnes.

With the priority given to safety and comfort, an integral part of the Group's DNA, the HTL6508 and the HTL7210 include in particular pothole guards with a cut-off system preventing dangerous movements and a limited slip differential on the front axle and the cabin, as well as an inching pedal for smooth and precise forward movements even with the engine at full throttle.

This range is equipped with FPT Tier 4i-compliant 130 hp (96 kW) FPT engines for Europe and North America, and FPT Tier 3-compliant 127 hp (93 kW) engines for Latin America, the Asia-Pacific region, Russia and the Middle East.

Particularly versatile with a wide selection compatible equipment available, these two new telehandlers effectively complement the new HTL5210 in the demanding segment for high-capacity lifting equipment.

Haulotte Group has selected a historic manufacturer with proven expertise to complete its product offering by marketing the DIECI telehandlers under the HTL6508 and HTL7210 brand names.

All HTL telehandler ranges can be rapidly fitted with multiple accessories (quick-fits): forks, simple or toothless buckets, work tools holder, hooked brackets and side-mounted work tool containers.

These machines offer excellent manoeuvrability and significant work autonomy under optimal conditions of safety and comfort.

What are the distinguished features of your range of telehandlers? Who are your major customers?
The Haulotte HTL ranges comply with EC standards and the TUV directive in terms of safety regulations. Our telehandlers are operator-friendly machines with a single joystick control for all type of operations. Further, the most distinguishable feature is when there is a need to recalibrate the Load Moment Indicator of the machine, it can be done just by a simple operation of raising and lowering the boom in a matter of few minutes.

Haulotte telehandlers are well accepted across the world and are being extensively used across different sectors. In India, we have our machines working in the rental sector. Our machines are also very popular in the neighbouring SAARC countries. Few months back, we have received a prestigious contract for supply of four units of HTL 4017 telehandlers in a government agency in Bangladesh. This success we had in a global tender which was participated by all major worldwide manufacturers.

What are the safety features inbuilt in telehandlers?
Some of the salient safety features available in Haulotte telehandler are: 

  • Rear axle lock and tilt corrector
  • Flow sharing in standard enabling a simultaneous and proportional control of four movements
  • High strength monoblock chassis
  • Hydrostatic transmission and inching pedal
  • Load Moment Indicator (LMI) easy to read including automatic cut-off dangerous movements
  • Smart control 4-in-1 joystick
  • High safety cab

Which are the major segments that drive demand for telehandlers?
Construction, infrastructure and mining are the three most important segments where demand in use of telehandlers has been steadily increasing. Unfortunately, the Indian market for telehandlers are still at a very nascent stage as the awareness level across sectors is still very limited. We at Haulotte are trying our best to spread the awareness on the multifarious use of telehandlers. During the last edition of the bauma Conexpo held at Gurgaon in December 2016, we specifically had showcased our Haulotte HTL 4010 telehandler at our stall. We are pleased to share that the response was tremendous and the machine drew a lot of interests amongst our visitors.

How do you look at the demand from rental market?
The demand from the rental sector in India is unfortunately very low. Issue is that customers still prefer using the conventional and cheap pick-and-carry cranes without giving much thoughts about the multifarious use of a telehandler. Although, larger corporates who are engaged in construction and infrastructure projects have started using telehandlers, the percentage is still very small. We hope that going forward, the demand for telehandlers shall increase in the same way that we have been witnessing in the Aerial Work Platform rental segment.

What are the opportunities for rental market?
The rental opportunities of Telehandlers in a mature market is immense. Telehandlers follow a similar demand trend like AWP's. However, with respect to India the rental market as on date is still very small and as awareness about telehandlers increase there would be increase in demand of telehandlers for rent.

What are the challenges faced by rental market in terms of rental rates, maintenance, policy support etc?
The overall demand of rental telehanlders being low, the rental companies who are mostly into AWP rentals in a major way have limited numbers of telehandlers in their fleet. As such, the rental rates are decent considering the availability of such machines are less. Mainetnace of such machines is carried out by the operational team of such rental companies, and as and when they need specific intereventions, the manufacturer or their representative is contacted. Telehandlers being registerable assets like other wheeled construction/road equipment, the policies of their use is in place.

Only lacunae is the lack of awareness regarding the use of such a versatile equipment.

What is the current market size of telehandlers? What is the growth trend?
The current market size of telehandlers in India would be around 350 to 400 machines which is very low. However, the growth in the demand has just set in so that going forward, the telehandler segment in India shall gather a steady momentum.