A fine example of excellence

Joe Cox (left) and Joe Melia with Fine Form Concrete’s new Merlo P65.14 telehandler.

For a WA formwork and concrete solutions company, Merlo telehandlers are an indispensable asset.

WA-based Fine Form Concrete specialises in the installations of full concrete frames for buildings, including framework, reinforcement installation, concrete and post-tensioning.

Employing about 200 people, they provide concrete works for large civil and commercial works such as multi-storey car parks and transport terminal infrastructure.

For such precise tasks, choice of equipment is essential, and the company has been nothing but delighted in its purchases of telehandlers from Italian giants Merlo.

Owner Joe Melia said Fine Form first started using Merlo telehandlers in 2010, finding them ideal for moving formwork and materials off and onto trucks from the construction site.

“The faster we cycle formwork, the more money we make, therefore machine performance is critical to the success of our business. The Merlo machines are perfect for this work,” he said.

“We’ve now got a total of four Merlos. We recently traded in our P60.10 machine to buy a P65.14 telehandler, adding to our fleet that includes models P38.14, P50.14 and a P40.13."

New Fine Form Merlo P65.14 telehandler.

Electronic engine control

Jo said the advanced technology of the Merlo machines is immediately apparent, particularly their eco-power drive (EPD) system which electronically controls the engine and transmission to optimise engine speed and pump flow.

“The benefit to us is better machine efficiency and being able to operate at lower revs, which means a reduction in fuel consumption,” he said.

“Also, when we are travelling with a load, the boom and cab suspension gives excellent comfort and ride control.”

“This type of suspension allows the boom to float and makes the seating much more comfortable when operating long shifts.”

Easy to operate

Joe said one of the most attractive benefits of the machines were the controls, which were simple and “amazingly easy for anyone to operate.”

“I have driven every type of machine on the market. Occasionally we need to hire another machine for busy times and this experience has been an opportunity to compare machines,” he said.

“Operating other hire machines has reinforced our opinion that the Merlo machines are superior and certainly the easiest to operate.”

“The side shift capability on the Merlo is an outstanding benefit, as is the great reach on the larger Merlo machine where we can reach the third floor of buildings under construction.”

“All our operators love using the Merlo machines, not just for their ease of operation and all-day comfort, but also their safety features and the assurance they are always lifting loads well within the machines’ capabilities.”

“Because the machines perform the work so well, our productivity and efficiency is remarkably high.”

“We currently have two machines deployed on moving equipment and materials at a capital city airport where they help ensuring strict deadlines are met. Merlo machines are a key part of our operations and have made a massive contribution to our bottom line.”

Joe said the safety features and attachments make Merlo telehandler an extremely attractive proposition, with the company’s operators having great confidence in performing every task.

“They are so manoeuvrable, responsive and never feel that they are overloaded,” he said.

Parts and service support

The level of machine reliability and simplicity of maintenance has impressed Joe.

“The parts and service support from the Merlo dealer McIntosh & Son has been outstanding throughout our long relationship with them,” he said.

McIntosh & Son Merlo Product Specialist Joe Cox said he met Joe about nine years ago when the dealer was assessing an old Fine Form Concrete machine, which was approaching the end of its productive life.

“The business needed a quick turnaround in loading and unloading formwork materials and we were able to offer a new Merlo 40.13 and 50.18 machines that were perfect for the job of erecting and removal of shuttering, together with moving equipment and materials around jobsites,” he said.

“Prior to joining McIntosh, I was technical support service manager for Merl, so this gives us 20 years of in-depth knowledge of these machines and how they are deployed on customers’ sites.”

“Merlo users and fleet owners really appreciate the design of these machines where cabin layout, drive trains and controls are common between models, regardless of their size and capacity.”

“This means that operators can change between machines seamlessly and operate them efficiently, which saves a lot of time on the job.”

“Customer feedback and comments on the machines usually focus on high satisfaction with safety, manoeuvrability and their versatility.”

“Others express how responsive they are in performing any tasks, with their super reliability and overall performance often exceeding expectations.”

“Ease of service through accessibility for routine maintenance is another factor that keeps Merlo customers coming back when machines need to be replaced.”

For further information on Merlo or view the range here. To organise a demo, growers can contact their nearest McIntosh & Son branch below.