Merlo NZ launches as direct subsidiary
Imported to New Zealand since 1995, being 25 years with the last distributor, Merlo has become one of the leading players in the telehandler market for agriculture, construction and specialised operations.
Given that most countries who favour the humble ute have maximum braked towing limits of 3500kg, those seeking to use mobile plant and machinery need to find a solution that fits within those limits.
Manufacturers continue to develop new products that offer more power and performance within smaller dimensioned formats, leading to the term ‘compact’.
Already masters at offering a machine for any situation, Merlo used the recent Agritechnica event in Germany to reinforce their understanding of the demand by showcasing its Hypercompact Concept telehandler.
Said to have been developed for operations in confined spaces such as older farm buildings, poultry and pig units, or equestrian yards, the TF 15.5 on display offered a load capacity of 1500kg with a maximum lift height of 5 metres.
Mindful of critical dimensions required for such situations, overall length has been kept to 3m, overall height is 1.8m and width, on standard tyres, is kept to only 1.56m. While agility and manoeuvrability come with such dimensions, the company suggests that the overriding design brief was to reduce the machine’s tare weight to allow it to fit within the 3500kg gross towing limits.
Power is delivered by a three-cylinder Yanmar diesel producing 36hp, with the manufacturer noting that the same levels of operator comfort are achieved, although it is fitted with a slightly smaller cabin. Currently, the concept is at the working prototype stage and likely to see some final design tweaks before an expected commercial release date in 2027.
New Zealand and Chile have signed a new arrangement designed to boost agricultural cooperation and drive sector success.
New DairyNZ research will help farmers mitigate the impacts of heat stress on herds in high-risk regions of the country.
Budou are being picked now in Bridge Pā, the most intense and exciting time of the year for the Greencollar team – and the harvest of the finest eating grapes is weeks earlier than expected.
The Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) has released its latest rural property report, providing a detailed view of New Zealand’s rural real estate market for the 12 months ending December 2025.
Rural retailer Farmlands has released it's latest round of half-year results, labeling it as evidence that its five-year strategy is delivering on financial performance and better value for members.
OPINION: "We are back to where we were a year ago," according to a leading banking analyst in the UK, referring to US president Donald Trump's latest imposition of a global 10% tariff on all exports into the US.
OPINION: Expect the Indian free trade deal to feature strongly in the election campaign.
OPINION: One of the world's largest ice cream makers, Nestlé, is going cold on the viability of making the dessert.