Last year, Gehl announced a strategic alliance with Manitou, the world's largest manufacturer of telehandlers. At that time, Gehl's chairman and CEO William D. Gehl said, "This is an excellent opportunity for Gehl Co. to broaden its product offerings to better serve the growing U.S. telescopic handler markets..."
And this year, Gehl Co. did just that. The new CT Series adds five compact telehandler models with maximum capacities from 5,000 to 7,000 pounds and lift heights from 16 feet to 23 feet. Prior to the CT Series launch, Gehl offered 11 telescopic handlers with lift capacities ranging from 6,000 to 12,000 pounds and lift heights from 30 to 55 feet.
Models CT5-16, CT5-16 Turbo, and CT6-18 Low Profile are designed to work in the construction market, so we'll go into more detail on those machines. Models CT6-18 Turbo and CT7-23 Turbo are geared toward agricultural applications.
The CT5-16 and CT5-16 Turbo are on the small end weighing 11,556 and 11,856 pounds, respectively, with forks. They offer a rated lift capacity of 5,000 pounds at maximum lift height of 18 feet. Both models have an overall height of 6 feet 7 inches, so they are easily maneuverable in low overhead conditions. They both offer Perkins diesel power, with horsepower ratings of 58 and 75, respectively.
Weighing 12,996 pounds, the CT6-18 Low Profile provides lift capacity of 6,000 pounds to its full lift height of 18 feet. The cab height is only 6 feet 9 inches, so it also works well on low-overhead jobs. The machine can use a 92-inch-wide, 2.5-cubic-yard light material bucket.
The CT5-16, CT5-16 Turbo and CT6-18 Low Profile have two joystick options. The standard joystick is a "loader configuration" and the other is an optional "pick-and-place" configuration. The pilot-controlled hydraulic system allows precise handling of large loads, Gehl says. Auxiliary hydraulics are standard on all models.
According to John Keopf, telescopic handler and asphalt paver product manager, "the CT Series is designed to do loader and material-handling work in multiple applications. The machines are engineered for using ground-engaging buckets and forks."
All turbocharged models offer a vibration-insulated enclosed cab that has 360-degree visibility; adjustable deluxe suspension seat; split-level door; rear window that opens; and front, rear, and roof-mounted wipers. A/C is standard on the CT7-23 and optional on CT5-16 Turbo, CT6-18 Low Profile and CT6-18 Turbo.
A hydraulic quick-attach system allows quick, easy attachment changes. It features a hydraulic circuit for attaching buckets and forks without leaving the cab. It also has a hydraulic locking feature to avoid accidental actuation of the auxiliary circuit, the company says. A variety of attachments are available, such as forks, buckets and carriages.
Estimated list prices for the base models of the CT Series are $56,000 to $79,200. They all offer a one-year, unlimited-hours warranty.
