Melbourne contractor, Oak Park (Tullamarine) Pty Ltd relies on a fleet of telescopic handlers from Merlo Group Australia to deliver large projects on time.

Having completed major projects such as the Victorian Desalination Plant, Peninsula Link (Frankston Bypass) and the Springvale Level Crossing Removal project, Oak Park recently won a three-year contract for concrete and runway work at Melbourne Airport.

Construction Manager for Oak Park, Renee Bell says the company has 35 years of experience in construction and chooses to use Merlo telehandlers as a cost-effective approach to manage workflow and productivity.

The company uses five Merlo telehandlers to load and unload trucks. Renee explains that the Merlo telehandlers with 17m reach work better for their requirements, and they like the versatility and flexibility of having the forklift tine and crane gib, especially during the loading and unloading of trucks with reinforcing steel, formwork and plant or performing construction duties, such as lifting formwork and reinforcement into position.

Oak Park’s contract at Melbourne Airport keeps Renee’s team busy. Since starting a previous contract in October 2011, the company has poured more than 43,000m³ of concrete. The Merlo telehandlers are used daily, and their operators are licensed for the different models. While half a dozen operators at Oak Park are licensed for the non-slewing mobile crane, about 10 people are licensed on a lesser ‘telehandler’ ticket, where they can lift up to 4 tonne, which is sufficient for the Merlo machines.

Oak Park staff are trained how to use the machines and complete a four-hour course to obtain a Certificate of Competency that complies with Work Health Safety regulations.

Renee says the Merlo machines are safe to operate and manoeuvre, changing attachments is a straightforward task and the good visibility enables ease of use. Benefits also include fuel efficiency and speedy completion of tasks; highly accessible design that allows trouble-free operation on uneven grounds; and reliable backup and support received from Merlo dealer, Victoria Construction Equipment (VCE).

Renee adds that the Merlos are serviced regularly on RDOs so that scheduled downtime doesn’t impact their productivity.