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Words: Bill Pohl, Howard Sellick

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The Piggy Back forklift is the first responder to material movement on the job site.

It's not a telehandler by any stretch of the imagination but it is arguably the first responder to material movement on the job site. It's the Piggy Back forklift that comes "attached" to the delivery truck.

Bill Pohl, general manager of Princeton Delivery Systems, Canal Winchester, Ohio, admits that, "While the Piggy Back Delivery System is not primarily a contractor tool and generally not used directly by the contractor, it can make the contractor's work much easier and help save both time and money by reducing double-handling. There are some things the contractor can do to get the best delivery possible: When the truck with the Piggy Back arrives on-site, tell the distributor exactly where you, the contractor, want the material delivered. This helps the driver to plan the unloading and helps ensure the material goes precisely where it is needed throughout the job site. Warn the driver if there is any soft ground or recently backfilled areas. Piggy Backs are designed for rough terrain, but freshly backfilled ground can give way under heavier loads. Assure easy access throughout the construction area. Obviously, the piggy back driver can spot the load precisely where you want and need it, but only if you give him a clear path and a defined location to place your materials."

Princeton developed its first Piggy Back in 1979 and quickly found applications in building materials and other construction markets. Today, with capacities from 3000 to 6500 pounds, Princeton offers the industry's broadest range of two- and three-wheel drive, smooth and rough terrain products. Piggy Backs have unique options such as "Double-Reach" masts for one-sided vehicle unloading and "four-way" movement that can transport long loads through narrow job site areas.

But what if the materials arrive on a truck not equipped with a Piggy Back? In this case, the contractor might opt for unloading with a telehandler. But equally likely, since that machine might be in use where its reach capabilities are needed, a general forklift will be required. Here is where we can bring into play a hybrid – the small telehandler.

Recently introduced is the TeleTruck from JCB, a British company with U.S. distribution and manufacturing in Savanna, Ga., and sold by them and Sellick Equipment, Ontario, Canada. Howard Sellick, president of Sellick Equipment, notes that the TeleTruk is small and can work in tight quarters while providing a generous amount of reach. "The big thing is that you can unload a truck from one side. We have 2750 pounds capacity at full extension of 94 inches. The unit also can be ordered with either a diesel or LPG-fueled power plant and both provide enough torque to provide any kind of lifting within the 6000-pound range. The only difference is the four-wheel drive is strictly diesel. The two-wheel drive is available in diesel and LPG. Mason contractors like it's tight turning radius and the profile of the unit. It's made to work in tight spaces."

For those situations where you need more extension, JCB has just begun marketing the JCB 520 Loadall, a telescopic handler with compact dimensions for use in confined sites where performance and lift capability up to 4400 pounds and a maximum height of 16 feet 5 inches is required. The compact 520 Loadall has an overall height of only six feet five inches with the low cab option. The boom is positioned low and to the side of the centrally-mounted cab, allowing for an excellent view of the payload. Permanent four-wheel drive and steering on four, equal-sized wheels provides great traction and tight turning circle capability.

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