Merlo’s forthcoming E-Worker compact electric telehandler with an access platform attachment.


Spencer says that the e6 with its lithium batteries has proved to be the most popular. Hirers are showing more interest but initial sales have been to mainly to end users for use in areas where quiet and emission free operation is beneficial.


Chesterfield based Compact Loaders offers an interesting choice of different electric compact machines. These include walk- behind / stand-on-the back dumpers and the 100 ECO micro loader / toolcarrier from Ecovolve and Sherpa respectively and the EZ7 and EZ8 MultiOne compact ride-on articulated wheel loaders / tool carriers.


Compact Loaders Director Steve Hadfield says that the COVID-19 pandemic has seen some indoor construction work delayed thereby temporally dampening demand for electric machines. Conversely there is much more interest in engine powered compact multi-purpose machines with attachments as contractors seek to do more with less, more socially distanced, workers.


There has been a big uptake on demand for the little Honda petrol engined Sherpa 100 Small that weighs 570kg. With a width of only 760mm it can pass through gateways and work on rear house extensions.


The increased interest in attachments is also highlighted by specialist supplier Exac-One. Directors Andrew Harker and Doug Guest recently staged a socially distanced series of ‘Get Attached Days’ demonstrations at their Upton on Severn base. Here particular interest was shown in a Norcar compact loader fitted with Moorend rubber tracks and a 1.3m wide Osma SSK130 fixed tool mulcher.


Flannery Plant Hire was quick to buy a unit as it could see the potential for it on HS2 high-speed railway construction works.


Manitou is busy developing an electric version of its popular 2,500kg capacity, 5.85m maximum lift MT625 to be marketed as the MT625e in a new eco-friendly Oxygen range. Another electric contender is coming from Merlo whose new E-Worker compact telehandlers are expected to arrive in the UK next summer. With a maximum capacity of 2,500kg and a maximum lift height of 4.8m there will be both 2 and 4WD versions and different maximum power ratings.


Demand is growing for little multi-purpose machines like this Sherpa 100 Small.


With demand still buoyant for many engine powered compact machines, some manufacturers have still been introducing new or improved models despite the pandemic. Takeuchi has added the new 1.7 tonne TB217R short tail swing mini excavator (as a new option to the conventional swing 1.6 tonne TB216) and a new 5.7 tonne TB257FR ultra swing mini is just arriving. Meanwhile, Kobelco has updated its 1.8 tonne SK17SR- 3E short tail mini to provide greater operator comfort.


Exac-One demonstrated this multipurpose Norcar with Moorend tracks and an Osmar mulcher.


Charging up: GGR’s Faresin compact electric telehandler is already in UK hire fleets


The Exac-One Directors report that they are seeing more demand for other attachments on small machines. They point to greater demand for their Treemaster TM Tree range of tree shears for excavators weighing over 3 tonnes and for mini flail cutters like the Osmar TE80 DXL which works well on small mini excavators (particularly those that can be tracked at slow speed whilst cutting).


Another type of compact machine giving the ‘electrification treatment’ is the small telescopic handler. The GGR Group is already supplying the Faresin 6.26 Eco electric telehandler which has a maximum capacity of 2,600kg and can lift to a maximum height of 5.9m.


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A trend with the smallest (1,000kg and 1,500kg payload) high tip articulated 4WD site dumpers is for manufacturers to now offer options with a greater operating width in order to increase side stability on sites where narrow access is not required. Altrad Belle, JCB and Thwaites have revealed such wider track options and JCB is also developing a new Smart Safety package for its 1T-2 high-tip dumper - now expected to become available early next year.


The first quarter of next year should also see


Mecalac introduce its 3,000kg payload 3MDX 4WD site dumper with a fully enclosed cab and the company has other significant launches planned for 2021. These will include larger size dumpers with an MDX canopy rather than a full cab and the latest generation TV1200 lightweight tandem vibrating roller with joystick steering.


Finally, for use in hazardous operations like demolition, there is likely to be more demand for remote control. In this respect it is interesting that Bobcat and other manufacturers are developing the ability of small machines to be operated at a safe distance by means of a smartphone.


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