JLG Industries used the bauma China exhibition in Shanghai to showcase two new articulated booms built at its Tianjin factory in China and designed for developing markets such as Asia and India.

The 18RS and 24RS are 18 m (60 ft) and 24 m (80 ft) booms with basic specifications and lighter weights than JLG’s equivalent 600 Series and 800 Series booms made in the US.

“They have everything you need, and nothing you don’t”, said Jeff Ford, JLG global product director, speaking to AI at bauma China.

Both models have fixed axles, 360 degree rotation (not continuous), 4WD/2WS and a single 230 kg cage capacity. No jibs are available with the booms. Significant weight reductions also mean that the booms can use smaller engines, with both fitted with Deutz engines: the 24RS uses the same engine as the 600S and the 18RS has the same power plant as the 450 series booms.

The 18RS and 24RS models have been made 2000 kg and 4000 kg lighter, respectively, than the 600 and 800 series machines by using a lighter duty knuckle design similar to that found on JLG’s E600 electric articulated boom.

Mr Ford said the machines were going into production soon in Tianjin with availability from Spring next year. He said the booms would be sold in China as well as other Asian markets such as Singapore and India. There are no plans to distribute the machines in Latin America or Australia.