15 years of Merlo telehandlers at Davidston Farm

At Davidston Farm in Stair, Mauchline, Ayrshire, where 480 cattle are managed across 450 acres, including 260 Holstein Friesians, and beef calves, with 300 Blackface stores lambs bought in annually. All heavily reliant on their Merlo TF42.7 telehandler.

The Merlo Turbofarmer 42.7 is equipped with large, strategically placed mirrors that provide the operator with excellent all-around visibility. This is the farm’s fifth Merlo in over 15 years, upgraded every three years thanks to the local dealership, Ramsay and Jackson. Farmer Andrew Nicol reflects on the partnership, stating: “As a family, we have stuck by Ramsay and Jackson for 80 years. They offer us exceptional service, and I think that stands testament to the length of time we have worked with them.”

Davidston Farm is fortunate to have an expert operator in Robin Murray, who has worked with the Nicol family for 28 years. Robin knows the Merlo telehandler inside out and appreciates its versatility.

Merlo Turbofarmer TF42.7 telehandler equipped with a large front bucket, ready for heavy-duty farm tasks. The machine is designed for versatility and durability, featuring a spacious cab for operator comfort and the capability to lift up to 7 meters “There’s not much we would change about a Merlo. It’s comfortable to drive no matter the task, reliable, and offers great visibility from the cab, which is especially important for safety around the yard,” Robin explains.

The Merlo TF42.7, manufactured in Italy, is a versatile workhorse. Powered by a 143hp Deutz TCD3.6 engine, this machine handles everything from feeding cattle to cleaning the farm with a road sweeper, buck raking, and bringing in bales and grain.

The work lights on the Merlo telehandlers are strategically positioned to provide optimal visibility for the operator, ensuring clear sightlines during low-light conditions. Robin does note one minor gripe with the newer models: “The electronic joystick reverse shuttle control on the newer models is less comfortable to use than the older models, which had an easier-to-use lever on the joystick as opposed to the current switch located at the back of the control.”

With 1845 hours on the clock and regular service intervals every 500 hours, comfort is key and that starts from the ground up. Running on Michelin 460/70R24 agricultural tyres, Andrew comments: “The initial cost of Michelins is worthwhile when considering their good traction performance, especially when on the pit or hauling trailers. For that reason, commercial tyres wouldn’t really be an option for us.”

The Merlo Turbofarmer 42.7 telehandler is designed for heavy-duty tasks, offering a maximum lift height of 7 meters, and impressive 4200kg load capacity making it highly versatile for a wide range of agricultural and industrial applications Cab comfort is also a priority, with Merlo’s button-select suspended cab activation and hydropneumatic suspension coming as standard on all CS models.

For the team at Davidston, their Merlo is the go-to machine, ‘second only to the milking parlour’, offering nine different attachments via the Matbro (pin and cone) hydraulic locking headstock.

This Merlo is setup with the Pin and Cone head stock to fit various attachments Ref: RH270924070 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer... This combination, a nod to the farm’s previous Matbro telehandler before production ceased in 1998, allows the farm to use various attachments, including Albutt buckets, a road sweeper, pallet forks, a bale lifter, a manure grab, an NC shear grab, and a safety cage, many of which also purchased from Ramsay and Jackson.

With the clue in the name, these attachments are able to be used to their full potential when paired with the Merlo TF42.7’s seven-meter lift height and 4.2t maximum load capacity.

The door of Merlo telehandlers can be opened up to 180º, providing easy and convenient access to the cab. Additionally, the inside of the door features a large handrail, designed to assist the operator when entering or exiting the cab Overall, with its exceptional performance and versatility, the Merlo TF42.7 has become a valued piece of kit at Davidston Farm.

As it combines reliability, comfort, and outstanding service from Ramsay and Jackson, proving that the right choices can stand the test of time.

The engine bay of the Merlo Turbofarmer 42.7 is thoughtfully designed with a well-organized layout, ensuring ease of access to key service items. This practical design allows for quick and efficient maintenance When Andrew isn’t busy overseeing the farm, he is also an accomplished clay pigeon shooter, representing Scotland at the home international for the past four years. Along with his family, he hosts two charity shoots annually to support local cancer charities.

Interior view of a Merlo telehandler cab, showcasing the ergonomic control setup with the steering wheel, control panel, and joystick.

Merlo T42.7 at a glance

Performance

Unladen weight: 8000kg

Maximum load capacity: 4200kg

Lift height: 7m

Maximum reach: 3.8m

Lift height at max load capacity: 5.6m

Reach at max load capacity: 1.5m

Load capacity at max lift height: 3500kg

Load capacity at max at max reach: 1750kg

Road speed: 40km/h

Powertrain

Engine: Deutz TCD3.6

Range/cylinders: 3600/4

Engine power: 105kw/143hp

Hydraulics

Delivery/pressure (L/min-bar): 150-250

Hydraulic oil tank capacity: 100l

Dimensions

Length: 4730mm

Width: 2310mm

Height: 2530mm

Wheelbase: 2810mm

Ground clearance: 460mm

Cabin internal width: 1010mm