Keys to Compact Telehandler Maintenance and Operator Success

Maintaining Today, Performing Tomorrow

By Brian Boeckman and Gary Clark

Compact telehandlers are simple to own and operate. When combined with the correct attachment, these machines become extraordinarily versatile on jobsites as diverse as agriculture, landscaping, loading and unloading applications, moving loose material in building supply yards, parking garage construction and many industrial applications. Many of these applications are in challenging work environments, where fine dust from wheat chaff, corn dust, top soil and other elements can negatively impact operation and long-term upkeep.

Some compact telehandlers use reversing radiator fans to help clear the dust as part of daily maintenance. However, fans are not a substitute for a consistent maintenance program to minimize downtime and increase the life expectancy of these jobsite workhorses. To ensure that a compact telehandler is ready to perform whenever it is needed, it is important to follow a program that combines the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule with daily attention, including regular walk-arounds, warm-ups and pre-operation checks.

Service Manuals First

A variety of tools make it relatively easy for equipment owners to establish and practice good maintenance habits, beginning with easily accessible service manuals, which are often available on original equipment manufacturer (OEM) websites. Some manufacturers also provide them as downloads on mobile devices for the convenience of their customers. In many cases, the online sources are regularly updated so technicians can trust that the manuals contain current product specifications.

Engine Design and New Technologies

Maintenance and repairs are made even easier by simple engine designs, onboard diagnostics and more detailed operational performance data. Machines that once had to be torn down for maintenance or repairs have been replaced by equipment designed so that components are easier to access and inspect and require fewer tools to repair. This makes it possible to turn machines around in shorter time frames. Onboard electronics provide data to owners and operators, including details related to engine, transmission, hydraulics and fuel performance. In addition, easy-to-read gauges make it possible to monitor day-to-day operations and identify potential problems before they become catastrophic failures or troubleshoot existing problems.

Telematics provide constant visibility into equipment performance. This capability can help owners identify areas that require maintenance and remotely diagnose problems. Machines are equipped to send fault notifications to mobile devices so that technicians can diagnose a problem, order the part and make a single trip to the field to complete a repair. As a result, they are able to make better use of their time, eliminating trips to the field to diagnose a problem, followed by a trip to the office to order the appropriate parts and a return trip back to the jobsite.

Telehandlers can also be programmed to send e-mail and/or text reminders for scheduled maintenance. This eliminates the guesswork sometimes associated with scheduling maintenance, and reduces the likelihood of a technician showing up at a jobsite before maintenance is necessary or missing important mile markers for required maintenance.

Handheld mobile devices allow technicians to program, troubleshoot, calibrate or customize equipment performance. These devices can be wired to the equipment or available as an app for mobile devices. Technicians who use the app are not limited by cables connecting equipment to handle devices, giving them greater mobility around the equipment. They can continue to receive and analyze data, which in some cases appear as full description read-outs that are easier to understand than abbreviated scrolling text.

OEM-Trained Technicians

Whether performing routine maintenance or more complex repairs, OEM-trained technicians help ensure the machine is safe and properly functioning prior to being put back into operation. OEM training can be conducted at customer facilities or at dedicated OEM training centers. In cold-weather locations in North America, this training often occurs during the off season, typically between Dec. 1 and March 1. Training is also available online, freeing technicians to learn at their own pace and at a location convenient to them.

Following a proactive, well-defined maintenance regimen and making repairs as they are needed makes a machine a better candidate for reconditioning. Factory reconditioning programs that follow strict OEM guidelines restore machines to “like new” condition. This alternative to purchasing new equipment allows owners to better manage their fleet investment/budget. A reconditioning program further extends the useful life of the equipment and allows machine operators to get the maximum return on their initial investment.

Protect Your Investment

The initial investment in any piece of equipment, including compact telehandlers, is significant. So, it makes sense to take steps that will protect that investment. This means taking a pro-active approach by following the OEM’s maintenance recommendations and taking advantage of diagnostic technologies. Taking such an approach enables owners to address minor inconveniences before they become larger issues that require expensive emergency repairs and entail long and costly downtime. The result is increased jobsite efficiency, a safer working environment and reduced life cycle costs.

Brian Boeckman is the global product director of telehandlers at JLG Industries, based in Hagerstown, Md., and Gary Clark is the customer support manager of national accounts at JLG Industries, based in McConnellsburg, Pa.