Standing out among the impressive range of machinery on display at McIntosh & Son’s Perth branch are the glistening green giants of Merlo: not just for their colour, but also for their performance.
Anyone driving along Great Eastern Highway in the Perth suburb of Redcliffe can’t miss it: a veritable smorgasbord of the latest releases from various leading brands, on full display in the yards of McIntosh & Son.
One of WA’s biggest machinery dealers, the company was established in the agricultural town of Wongan Hills in 1955, growing to be a leading Australian dealership group specialising in agricultural, construction and grounds care machinery, incorporating sales, finance, service and parts.
With 11 dealerships strategically located across WA and one in Dalby, Queensland, McIntosh & Son provides a complete solution for the market – comprising new and used machinery sales, precision farming, finance solutions, spare parts, and qualified mobile field and workshop service.
General Manager Mike Foskett said McIntosh & Son’s aim was to build a continuously improving stable of products and services to help customers achieve their productivity and financial objectives.
“In turn, this will drive our business and create opportunities for employee growth, resulting in recognition both as an industry employer and an equipment supplier of choice,” he said.
The Perth branch has an enviable rolling stock of machinery to cater for customer needs, and currently focuses on construction and grounds care equipment, supporting a portfolio of 11 machinery brands, including Merlo, New Holland, CASE Construction Equipment, LiuGong, Jacobsen and Redexim.
These are in addition to a long line of consumables that the branch supplies via its parts department that include STEDI, GME radios, Omicron and SafeStyle.
Mike said the Merlos were definitely a standout, and not just for the iconic bright green colours.
The Italian company is of course renowned for its innovative and high-quality machinery and equipment, particularly in the construction, agriculture, and industrial sectors, notably establishing itself as a leader in the design and manufacture of telescopic handlers, concrete mixers, and other heavy machinery.
“We look for equipment that is proven and performs well in Australian conditions, and in this regard, Merlo ticks all the boxes,” he said.
“Also the relationship with Merlo is fantastic. It’s always good in a dealer-supplier relationship for it to be positive and collaborative. It makes everyone’s job a lot easier.
“What’s important for us is being able to sell the product with confidence knowing that the dealer-supplier relationship is healthy.
“We get good support from Merlo Australia. The relationship is positive and we’ve got a really collaborative approach with them.
“We are able to support our customers and they’ve got confidence that we can back them up. It has really made a difference in McIntosh & Son being able to grow Merlo market share in our area.”
Mike said that the beauty of the Merlo offering was that there were plenty of options to suit what people wanted in terms of different needs.
“They definitely have some features and benefits that add value for customers, but also the support we offer makes a difference,” he said.
Mike said one of the best sellers was Merlo’s most unique product, the Multifarmer, which combines the dual benefits of a telehandler and tractor.
“Two Multifarmer models are imported to Australia – the MF44.7 and MF44.9,” he said.
“Both models offer a 4400kg maximum load capacity and maximum reach of 1.7m while at capacity.
“The MF44.9 has an increased lift height of 8.8m, compared to 6.8m on the MF44.7, plus has a greater overall maximum reach of 5.8m, compared to 3.6m on the MF44.7.”
To service the large number of Merlo customers, McIntosh & Son provides an experienced product specialist is dedicated to Merlo products, while also maintaining a workshop exclusively devoted to the brand
“Our product specialist has been working with Merlo products for over 30 years, and while our all of the McIntosh sales team have access to supply the Merlo range, we believe it is important to have a dedicated product specialist, as his depth and breadth of knowledge is invaluable both internally and to our customers.”
The Multifarmer in focus
The versatile and innovative hybrid Multifarmer was developed by Merlo to meet the diverse needs of operators who required a machine capable of performing multiple roles. It is commonly used for:
- Material handling: Lifting, transporting, and stacking various materials
- Earthmoving and farming work: Performing tasks such as ploughing, harrowing, and seeding using traditional tractor implements
- Livestock management: Feeding livestock, cleaning out pens, and other tasks that involve heavy lifting
- General maintenance: Towing trailers, clearing paths, and performing maintenance tasks
By merging the lifting and loading capabilities of a telehandler with the power and versatility of a tractor, the Multifarmer offers several advantages, including:
- Cost efficiency: Combining the functions of multiple machines into one means the Multifarmer reduces the need for additional equipment, leading to lower overall costs
- Space-saving: Where there is limited space, the Multifarmer’s ability to perform multiple tasks helps reduce clutter and the need for storing multiple machines
- Increased productivity: With the Multifarmer, users can switch between tasks quickly and easily, increasing overall productivity.
Like other Merlo telehandlers, the Multifarmer is equipped with a telescopic boom that can extend to lift and place loads at height.
This boom is highly manoeuvrable, providing the reach and flexibility needed for a myriad of tasks.
For farmers, the Multifarmer features a standard rear three-point linkage and PTO (Power Take-Off) system, which allows it to operate a wide variety of agricultural implements, such as mowers, tillers, and seeders. This makes it suitable for fieldwork and other tractor-based operations, adding to its versatility on the farm.
The machine is built to handle heavy loads, with impressive payload and lifting capacities. This makes it ideal for tasks that require moving large quantities of materials, such as loading silage, transporting hay bales, or handling bulk feed.
And because Merlo places a strong emphasis on operator comfort and safety, the Multifarmer is equipped with a spacious, ergonomic cab featuring climate control, excellent visibility, and intuitive controls.
Importantly, the model is powered by fuel- efficient engines that comply with the latest emission standards, offering a balance of power and economy.
This ensures that the machine can perform demanding tasks while minimising fuel consumption and environmental impact.
For more information on the Merlo Multifarmers, visit: https://www.merlo. com/aus/en/p/telehandlers/multifarmer/
The Merlo Roto 50.26, on show inside McIntosh & Sons, is the perfect access equipment or EWP machine catering for jobs with boom lifts, grapple saws and work platforms.