12.05.2006

ForkRent enters the access... and the crane business

The company that ordered 1,000 JCB telehandlers last month has now dipped its toe in the waters of the self propelled aerial lift market with the purchase of 25 Manitou rough terrain articulated booms.

The machines, which will be fully equipped, with four wheel drive, four wheel and crab steer are the first in what is likely to become a significant fleet. The company has entered the access market in response to demand from its existing customers.

At present Forkrent supplies telescopic handlers and a variety of other non operated plant, most of which is 4x4 heavy duty equipment, such as loader backhoes, dumpers, skid steers and excavators so 4x4 boom lifts were the natural choice.
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The models ordered by Fork Rent are all similar to this

Fork Rent chairman Trudi Nicholls told Vertikal.Net that the company had found Russon Access to be an easy company to deal with, and that it had a good attitude. She also said that the machines were going out on hire as fast as they are being delivered.

There has been much debate over the past two years regarding the pros and cons of Telehandlers and self erecting tower cranes for material handling on small to medium sites. It is interesting therefore to hear that Forkrent has also purchased its first crane, an FB Gru purchased from Hoss Plant (FB is distributed in the UK by Dunham Cranes Ltd).

Nicholls said that this first unit is a trial and may or may not lead to further crane purchases.