back copies

Sponsor a tree
by planting
your logo
in our
virtual forest
to aid the
Lighthouse Club
Benevolent Fund

Long cladding panels being installed using the new 13.m maximum length extending platform on the Giraf Track GT580B.

The interesting Giraf Track is a rotary telescopic handler with a difference– it combines a Merlo boom with a Caterpillar excavator undercarriage (complete with a levelling blade).

Nick Johnson reports on this unusual multi-purpose machine.

Graf Track provides greater versatility

I first saw the Giraf Track at the APEX access show in Maastricht, Holland in the autumn of 2008. It was immediately obvious as a new product because it was markedly different to most other machines. The problem was how to describe in simply.

Developed by TDL (Testcentrum De Lille NV) – the Merlo dealer in Belgium – the Giraf Track cleverly combines a Merlo telehander boom and the undercarriage from an 18 tonne class Caterpillar tracked excavator. The result is effectively a heavy-duty rotary telehandler on tracks, complete with an optional blade (to level up the machine on slopes) and the ability to utilise an array of different attachments (including access platforms).

By the time the original Giraf Track GT580B had made its APEX debut it had been under development for four years. Now the product is being increasingly accepted as a specialist machine able, according to its makers, of being equipped to do jobs that other handlers and platforms cannot.

The GT580B weighs 16.5 tonnes and it is operated by radio remote control. Undercarriage width is 2.49m and the unit’s steel tracks can be fitted with rubber street pads.

Proven telescopic boom and carriage

TDL buys a proven telescopic boom assembly and fork carriage from Merlo. The boom is the one used by Merlo for its P38.16 Roto. When fitted onto the Giraf Track machine, this boom allows a maximum capacity of 3800kg.

When used as telehandler with forks, 2000kg can be raised up to the maximum lift height of 15.2m and 700kg can be extended forward to the maximum reach of 13.7m. The use of a loader bucket, different crane jibs and a variety of access platform options greatly increase operational versatility.

The new 7.0m to 13.0m long extending access platform for the Giraf Track was a prominent exhibit at Bauma

Maximum platform capacity (A1829 basket) is 1000kg and, when a 5.5m long 181LIMS basket is fitted, maximum working height and outreach are 17.8m and 16.0m respectively. At the Bauma exhibition in Germany and the Vertikal Days event in the UK, the Giraf Track GT580B was shown with the new 7.0m to 13.0m long extending platform designed for use by glazing contractors. Complete with 180° rotation, this 1.3m wide platform has a payload of 500kg for the sheet materials plus 250kg to carry three persons.

[cont]

By reading this page on line you are helping to save trees.
     Trees saved up to September1, 2010 = more than 120

     See our virtual forest

Support the Lighthouse Club Benevolent Fund by sponsoring virtual trees