Innovative Iron Award Winners: Manitou’s Electric Telehandler, JLG’s Bi-Energy Compact Crawlers and Genie’s 14-Ft Platforms
The Top Construction Landscape and Rental Equipment Launched in 2023
The world of off-highway machinery is evolving — battery-powered units, hydrogen engines, luxury and economy tiering, machine control automation — but maybe the biggest evolution is that everyone wants a compact machine. Small, tool-carrying construction equipment now make up about 50 percent of the U.S. machinery market with mini excavators and compact track loaders being the two most popular categories in America. To meet this enormous demand, machine makers released some pretty awesome machines in the past 12 months: advanced skid steers, electric asphalt pavers, entry-level grade control attachments and so much more. The 2023 Innovative Iron Awards celebrate the best of these compact equipment launches. Scouring tradeshows, visiting manufacturers, operating units, interviewing experts, this annual compilation represents the best equipment we’ve seen and experienced all year, including…
Manitou’s MT 625e Compact Electric Fixed Telehandler
Aerial lift expert Manitou released an exciting amount of telehandler news in 2023 – two large rotating electric models, a future hydrogen variant and the awesome MT 625e compact electric fixed telehandler. The MT 625e is a 100 percent electric telehandler with a max capacity of 5,500 lbs, max reach of 19 ft, 2 in. and a max outreach of 11 ft, 1 in. Outfitted with either a 25- (standard) or 35-kWh (optional) lithium-ion battery, the machine achieves a full charge in just over two hours when equipped with the optional 9kW on-board charger (3kW standard). Its compact size (6-ft, 4-in. tall; 5-ft, 11-in. wide; 10-ft, 10-in. turn radius) allows it to easily work indoors and in tight spaces while still delivering excellent reach and capacity. This unit is available with all of the great options and attachments that are featured with the diesel-powered models. For more info, visit manitou.com.
JLG’s Bi-Energy Compact Crawlers
JLG Industries offers a wide range of alternative power solutions for pros — from it’s hybrid boom lifts to its DaVinci AE1932 all-electric scissor lift. Here’s another innovation: JLG now offers Bi-Energy technology on its X770AJ and X1000AJ compact crawler boom lifts, reducing these machines’ noise and exhaust emissions. The innovative system equips these JLG machines with two full-sized, independent power sources, combining an emissions-free lithium-ion battery pack with a dependable diesel engine to allow operators to work indoors and outside with one machine. The X770AJ comes with a 100Ah 76V lithium-ion battery pack, while the X1000AJ has a 150Ah 76V lithium-ion battery pack. Both machines have a Kubota D902 21.6-hp, 3,200-rpm diesel engine. For more info, visit jlg.com.
Genie’s 13-ft Platforms for XC Boom Lifts
The Genie 13-ft platform option for boom lifts boosts productivity on jobsites by adding more than 60 percent of additional space in the platform. The 13-ft platform is now available for use on three Genie XC (Xtra Capacity) boom lifts in North America. Compatible with Genie S-45 XC, S-65 XC and S-85 XC boom lifts, the 13-ft platform is especially well suited for tasks that involve an extensive working area, as well as jobsites with limited space to maneuver on the ground. In addition to increasing operator comfort, the extra space on the platform also allows workers to do more, faster compared to a standard sized 8-ft platform. The 13-ft platform can take up to two workers to height and deliver a 600 lb lift capacity. For more info, visit genielift.com.
Keith Gribbins is publisher of Compact Equipment.
