Innovative Iron Awards: JLG’s X1000AJ Compact Crawler Boom and Skyjack’s SJ519 TH Compact Telehandler
Most brands already make amazing machines. In fact, there’s so much parity of quality in the American off-highway equipment marketplace that differentiators are often hard to find in machine categories. That’s what makes our Innovative Iron Award winners so special. In the last 12 months, these manufacturers have changed the marketplace and even broken the mold in highly competitive markets that are already filled with excellence. Global manufacturers from Kubota and Caterpillar to JLG and JCB have released products — machines, engines, OEM tech and even apps — that have set new standards for power, versatility, efficiency and design. Our editors have traveled across the country to meet these manufacturers, operate their new products and give detailed reports both in print and online. With this article, we do a final salute to those companies that have changed the equipment market over the last year with their unique, interesting and innovative products.
Keith Gribbins is associate publisher of Compact Equipment.
Skyjack Enters the Compact Telehandler Market by Redefining the Operation Station
At The Rental Show in February, Skyjack raised more than a few eyebrows with its SJ519 TH — its first compact telehandler — a unit aimed at redefining the compact market with its class-leading cab size. This new product offers a 5,500-lb lift capacity, maximum lift height of 19.1 ft and a maximum reach of 11.25 ft. With a fully opening door, operators can easily access what Skyjack calls the biggest cab in its class. Bonus: All major service points are easily accessible, which is imperative for the rental industry. For more info, visit skyjack.com.
JLG Breaks 100-Ft Class with Its X1000AJ Compact Crawler Boom
In the lofty realm of aerial lifts, compact crawler booms are the cool new kids on the jobsites. The articulated column design gives ultimate flexibility for elevated applications from tree trimming to warehouse work. This year JLG took compact crawler booms to new heights with its X1000AJ, 100-ft-height-class machine. Its big work envelope offers 56 ft up and over and 54 ft of horizontal outreach while its compact footprint allows the X1000AJ to fit through a standard double doorway for easy movement between indoor and outdoor applications. Retractable non-marking tracks, along with a patented platform disconnect system, make it easy to maneuver the machine through tight spaces. The X1000AJ also offers a class-leading 500-lb unrestricted platform capacity and a 76-volt lithium ion battery option or a traditional gas engine unit. For more info, visit jlg.com.
