46 | HIRE
AND
RENTAL
NEWS
| FEBRUARY 2014
EARTHMOVING & EXCAVATION
In July 1973, Gehl Company (today
Manitou Americas), manufacturer of
compact earthmoving and material
handling equipment, began designing and
manufacturing its own line of skid loaders
in Madison, South Dakota.
The line has evolved over the past 40
years to become a line of seven radial and
three vertical lift models, including the
V400, the world’s largest skid loader,
offered under the Gehl brand name.
“The Gehl brand is dedicated to
its roots of designing and producing
durable, easy-to-use skid loaders,” Dan
Miller, CEO of Manitou Americas and
President of the Manitou Group Compact
Equipment Division said.
“Our task for the future is incorporating
innovation and technology into our
loaders, yet still maintaining the ease of
use our customers have come to expect.”
Features include the original hands-only
control system, the T-Bar; the Powerview
lift arm; and the adjustable, side-anchored
operator restraint bar.
Based on the company’s long history and
40 years of Gehl skid loader design
heritage in the agricultural implements
business, the customer base in the early
1970s was primarily agricultural. The
company recognised a demand for a
compact loader among its customers, and
struck a deal with the Ericsson Company in
Minneapolis, Minnesota to manufacture
the first Gehl branded skid loader.
“In reality, Gehl marketed its first skid
loader in 1969,” Kelly Moore, Product &
Training Specialist, Skid Loaders – Manitou
Americas said.
“This unit was a private labeled
product known as the 3030 and it was the
beginning of great things to follow in the
skid loader industry.
“Gehl Company quickly realised to
control their skid loader product offering,
they needed to manufacture and design
their own line. In July 1973, the first Gehl
brand skid loader was manufactured in
Madison, South Dakota.
“Over the next 15 years, the Gehl
branded skid loader product line brought
many industry “firsts” for the skid loader
market. Performance features such
as liquid-cooled engines, hydrostatic
transmissions and diesel-powered
machines hit the market in the early 1970s.
“In the late 70s, and early 80s Gehl
brand skid loaders featured a roll-back
ROPS and hydraulic solenoid lift arm
lockouts for easier maintenance. In
1982, Gehl Company revolutionised
the skid loader business with the 4610,
a 44-horsepower unit that featured the
operator restraint bar for more comfort
and added protection.
“In the mid-1980s the model 4615
was added, specifically designed for the
construction market. The models 6620
and 6625 entered the Gehl brand into the
largest skid loader class.
“By 1995, the Gehl brand offered a
full line of eight models serving the
agricultural and construction markets.”
Visit:
HR
“In reality, Gehl marketed its first
skid loader in 1969...”
To find out more contact our friendly team:
p:
1800 822 787
w:
e:
Portable Toilet Fleet? DIY Waste/Water Servicing
Stainless Steel Portable
Waste/Water
Ready to go straight
to work, mount on a
trailer!
1600lt waste/600lt water
Electric Start Honda,
Conde Vacuum Pump
Electric water pump,
Hoses
