04.09.2013
Telehandler overturns at wind farm
A telehandler working on a wind turbine farm in Kehrig, Germany overturned on Monday injuring the driver.
The telescopic handler, a four tonne JLG 4017PS, was assisting with work being carried out on a wind turbine when it went over sideways. The driver suffered an injury to his head but was released from hospital later that day.
Although it is uncertain whether the telehandler was travelling with an elevated or suspended load the pictures do clearly show that its boom was extended and the stabilisers were raised. The ground conditions also look less than ideal, with a hidden slope/ditch on the one side.
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The telehandler working on a wind turbine farm in Kehrig
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The boom was extended and the stabilisers raised when it overturned
Buns
Yet another telescopic handler falls victim to lateral instability. Although we do not know the particular circumstances leading to this overturn any investigation will inevitably reveal bad planning, bad operation and serious shortfalls in the manufacturer's ability to install a suitable management system to warn the operator of lateral instability. The UK telescopic handler manufacturer has spent the majority of its research and development on the avoidance of longitudinal instability whilst the killer is lateral instability. The Australians have a load management system up and running for their telescopic handlers. Why are the UK and Europe lagging behind, yet again?
Mick Norton