Triumphant Telehandler
Subject: SkyTrak 6036 telescopic handlers; 6,000-pound maximum capacity and maximum lift height of 36 feet; manufactured by JLG Industries,
Enlarge Image
Image 1: A SkyTrak 6036 owned by RSC in
Serial number: 18872
Date in service: March 2003
Hours in service: 991
Equipment owner: Rental Service Corp.,
Service area:
Date of review: 11-21-05
If there is a bread-and-butter machine in the market this is it. The SkyTrak 6036 (Image 1) is to telehandlers what the F-150 is to pick-ups • the No. 1 seller. The relatively low hours of use combined with a simple and high-quality design contribute to this telehandler's great track record. Although SkyTrak telehandlers are currently owned by JLG Industries and built in
This unit, on rent from RSC's
Image 2: Wherever required, loom material is utilized to prevent hose damage.
The unit showed no indication of major component failures, structural problems, or paint deterioration. In addition, thanks in part to a lot of “loom” material (Image 2) • so named since it normally carries wiring looms • fitted wherever steel meets rubber. All the exposed hydraulic hoses were in great condition as well.
Enlarge Image
A review of the service records supports this observation. Aside from preventive maintenance and work done to prepare the machine to be “rent ready,” there were only a couple of repair items. The only one worth noting was a ZF-supplied gear selector that had been stripped past fourth gear • a problem since the machine only has a total of four drive ranges. This seems to be a customer abuse issue, although the robustness of the gear selector must be considered.
Other design choices making this unit durable include connecting the tie-rods (Image 3) to the king pin above the axle spindle rather than below it. By doing so, the tie-rod end and its bearings are kept out of the mud. It also allows for the tie-rod itself to mounted high and out of the way of potential damage.
Enlarge Image
Image 3. Top-mounted tie rod limits exposure to damage.
Steel hydraulic lines are used, especially along the boom, to limit potential service problems, including damage from the sun and potential for being pinched during use. Their external routing makes them easier to both inspect and service (Image 4).
Enlarge Image
Image 4: Steel lines on the boom eliminate degradation by the sun and limits other damage.
The three-section boom is extended with the use of a double-acting hydraulic cylinder, which is externally mounted to the bottom of the boom. This works in conjunction with top-mounted roller chain to simultaneously extend the middle and tip sections. Adjustable UHMW slide pads are used on the boom. As you can see in Image 5, this dry boom is aided with a little grease. Wear on boom pads has been minimal.
Enlarge Image
Image 5: Boom wear pads have shown minimal wear.
Enlarge Image
The inside of the cab has proven quite durable. Operational decals and warning placards were legible (Image 6). Boots on a pair of mechanical joysticks have stood up to operational demands. The age-old problem of premature upholstery wear on the leading edge of the seat was evidenced on this machine. The problem is due to excessive entry and exiting by operators. A bottom cushion replacement is not available for this seat, which also lacked any suspension for comfort.
Image 6: A spartan design is underscored by dual boom control joysticks and a lack of gauges.
Except for the fuel level indicator, there were no other gauges — only indicator lights. The current model comes with a full set of analog gauges.
Power train
Enlarge Image
A Cummins 4BT3.9Turbo diesel engine (Image 7) resides within the frame. Access to it is gained from either side through large swing-up service doors. Once into the up position, these are held in place by gas-filled struts. All service points, filters, starter and alternator, are well positioned. I have previously reported ongoing service problems with the electric solenoid controlling fuel flow to the injectors on this particular model of engine. The coils tend to burn out, which has not been the case on this unit though.
Image 7: Although mounted in the frame, access to the Cummins engine is excellent.
While design is instrumental in how well a machine stands up to the rigors of operation, so is maintenance. Larry Reeves, district manager for RSC, explained that a new lube truck, which has been in service in this district four to six months, is crucial to the company's proactive approach to preventive maintenance. The truck services $35 to $40 million worth of fleet in the
It is easy to understand why Reeves and his staff are so pleased with the performance of this machine. The region is dominated by SkyTrak units for good reason. As Reeves put it, SkyTrak units are “simple, basic and an excellent return on investment.” What more could you ask for from a rental machine?
Operator's impressions
The operator of this unit was not available at the time of our review, so we caught up with another RSC customer using this same machine at a later date. Utilizing the SkyTrak 6036 to erect steel framing for a new firehouse in Orrick, Mo., Brad Spears, owner of Brad Spears Construction, LLC, Oak Grove, Mo., said he has operated a number of telehandlers and is happy with this machine overall. "My vision is not obstructed, and it's easy to maneuver," he said.
Another Spears Construction employee on-site who spends time on the SkyTrak is Travis Hall, who said he had no complaints with the machine's operation. "It lifts everything we need lifted, and does what we need it to do," he said.
One suggestion Spears had for the SkyTrak is to make the controls more operator friendly by allowing a single joystick to do most, if not all, of the main boom functions.
