Skyjack's' New Telehandler Range Lifts Expectations

Linamar Corporation’s Skyjack division launched a new range of telehandlers at World of Concrete in Las Vegas, Nevada. Designated the TH series, the four new telehandlers are engineered to extend the principal of simple reliability that has made Skyjack a world leader in aerial work platforms (AWPs). The TH series will replace the existing VR telehandler series.

"We are excited to offer Tier IV Final telehanders without the cost and complexity increase that normally accompanies a tier engine change," says Brad Boehler, president of Skyjack. "In fact, new pricing and our ROI focused clean sheet design makes the range truly competitive and attractive to the rental industry."

Skyjack took the opportunity to completely reassess telehandler design while implementing the Tier IV Final engines. Compared with older models, the TH range offers simpler rear axle stabilization, hydraulics systems, outriggers, controls, engine servicing, electronics and option packages – staying true to Skyjack’s Simply Reliable philosophy.

"The new range can be seen as a true Skyjack product that offers simple reliability, while providing a leading return on investment without compromising serviceability or ease of maintenance," says Boehler. "To reflect these significant advances on this clean sheet design, we have changed the series name from VR to TH." Apart from the name change, the new telehandlers are also equipped with Skyjack’s simply reliable guarantee.

"We have offered an industry leading two-year warranty on our AWPs for many years and now we are making the telehandler a true Skyjack product by also offering our Gold Leaf Warranty as standard, which applies for 24 months or 3,000 hours, whichever occurs first."

Tier IV Final – Why Costs Do Not Have To Rise

"When it comes to Tier IV Final regulations, we know rental rates don’t just go up to meet the increased costs of emissions compliance," says Barry Greenaway, Skyjack’s product manager. "SMARTORQUETM means the TH range is engineered to require no diesel particulate filter (DPF), no diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) and no other active exhaust after treatment on standard engines for Tier IV Final."

By using improved gearing, high torque engines and a simplified, high efficiency hydraulics package, Skyjack designed the TH series to employ 74hp engines while delivering the same on-site job performance as higher power units.

"For example fully loaded potential grade-abilities on the SJ1056 TH is 50 percent, while on the SJ843 TH it’s 63 percent, all with 74hp," says Greenaway. "This, and no increase in hydraulic function times, means that the SJ TH range delivers all the job site functionality expected of a rough terrain telehandler with a minimal tradeoff in third gear travel performance on 10,000-lb models. Those with a need-for-speed can select the optional 107hp power plant for the SJ1044 TH and SJ1056 TH, which uses only a DEF after treatment system with no DPF requirement."

With the SJ1056 TH, Skyjack has redefined what a 10,000-lb class machine is capable of by leveraging the strength and simplicity of the new TH series design. Current telehandlers in the 10,000-lb to 12,000-lb range typically lift their 10,000-lb load to a maximum height of about 33 ft with outriggers deployed. 

"With Skyjack’s SJ1056 TH, the telehandler has the ability to take the same 10,000-lb load to 44 ft – providing increased productivity and versatility over even most 12,000-lb units," Greenaway said. 

The new TH series comes with 74hp Deutz engines as standard and 107hp Deutz engines as options on the SJ1044 TH and SJ1056 TH. The TCD 2.9L 74hp engine provides 221 lb/ft of torque and 18,000 lbs of tractive effort on the SJ643 TH and SJ843 TH, while the 74hp TCD 3.6L provides 287 lb/ft of torque and 20,000 lbs of tractive effort (an increase of 5 percent over the 110hp VR1056E) on the SJ1044 TH and SJ1056 TH.

Skyjack believes in simplifying products so that they are easier to operate and maintain from the inside out. The 74hp engine does not require the same complicated engine programming or computer logic of DEF equipped units. It also allows enhanced access for service and maintenance and the low profile engine cowling offers operators better visibility.

"Using the 74hp engine on the new TH series means there are no DEF requirements, no multiple extra engine and exhaust sensors, or selective catalytic reduction," says Greenaway. "Decreased complexity means decreased downtime, decreased service calls and increased return on investment for rental companies and end users alike."

The TH range also features READYHOOKTM, a yoke mounted lifting hook that is fitted as standard. With capacities that match the maximum lift capability of the telehandler the hook allows the safe under-slinging of loads and avoids the practice of using the forks as an underslung lifting device.

In addition, the TH ranges offers FLEXCABTM as standard. FLEXCABTM is an innovative cab design that allows fleet operators to easily convert between open and enclosed cabs with simple hand tools, providing increased flexibility for fleet movement and fast response to customer demands.

Finally, the machines feature concepts carried forward from other Skyjack product families such as SKYCODEDTM a proven and simplistic control systems using Skyjack’s color coded and numbered wiring system make our machines the easiest to troubleshoot and repair. Skyjack’s 4AXLDRIVETM gives positive traction and excellent rough ground "terrain-ability’. This industry leading terrain capability means one can use the Skyjack telehandlers in the most challenging of conditions.

Other features standard on the TH series include:

• External extension cylinder and top mounted extension chain.
• Oversized engine bay with full repairable fiberglass cowling. 
• Deutz engines, Dana powershift transmission and Dana axles.
• FLEXCABTM Modular cab with bolt on glazing that can be converted from open to closed at the rental yard. 
• Simple control panel design consistent with other Skyjack products.
• Multi-function Deutz engine display. 
• Cast rear counterweight with hitch pin incorporated.
• READYHOOKTM Yoke mounted lifting hook for under slung loads.
• Quick attach carriages shared with existing Skyjack VR telehandlers.
• Skyjack’s SKYCODEDTM relay based control system, free from computers and PLC’s. 
• Auxiliary hydraulics across the range.
• Engine block heater.

• Rear axle stabilization (standard on 1044 and 1056 models) 
• Axle mounted outriggers (standard on 1056 and optional on 1044)