Innovative Iron Award: Wacker Neuson’s TH522 Compact Telehandler
Exploration is the engine that drives innovation, so let’s go exploring. Let’s search through a year’s worth of creative ideas in the off-highway equipment industry and see if we can benchmark the innovative exploration of the American machine market. Over the last 12 months, global manufacturers from Caterpillar to Kubota have released compact machines that have set new standards for power, versatility, efficiency and design. Our editors have traveled across the globe to meet these manufacturers, operate their new products and give detailed reports and opinions both in print and on our website (compactequip.com). We sifted through the hundreds of models and brands released in 2015 and picked 19 units that set the bar for innovation. With this article, we salute those companies (from Komatsu to Case) that have changed the commercial equipment market over the last year with their unique, interesting and innovative machines, engines and technologies.
Wacker Neuson’s New 3in1 Compact Telehandler Lifts More than Just Eyebrows
Are compact telehandlers becoming accepted in the American marketplace? Read our article on page 42, but also heavily consider Wacker Neuson’s first telehandler to the North American sector as a sign. The TH522 is a robust and versatile ground-engaging telehandler that offers the versatility of a three-machines-in-one concept (not just a pick-and-place machine). The TH522 is designed to be used with ground-engaging attachments and can work like (1) a wheel loader to dig and carry, (2) a skid steer with a compact footprint capable of using a multitude of attachments and (3) a telehandler with a lift height of 16 ft, 7 in. and operating capacity of 4,100 lbs. The TH522 is powered by a 60-hp Tier 4 Final turbocharged Perkins engine that delivers performance and speed on the jobsite. The machine comes standard with a top travel speed of 19 mph and auxiliary hydraulic flow of 18 gpm. Increased versatility is available with the standard universal attachment plate and faster quick-connect hydraulic connection block, making the TH522 compatible with most wheel loader and skid steer attachments.
To see the rest of Compact Equipment’s Innovative Iron Awards, click this link.
