Celebrating 45 Years of Telehandler Innovation
As the agricultural industry gears up for LAMMA 2026, Merlo is set to celebrate a milestone that changed material handling forever. It’s been 45 years since the SM30 telehandler made its public debut at the Paris Agricultural Show (Salon de la Machine Agricole) in 1981—a machine that didn’t just enter the market but redefined it.
Merlo will be showcasing the original SM30 alongside the newest Turbofarmer models on their stand at LAMMA show and it’sworth revisiting why this pioneering model led the way and continues to inspire innovation today.
When Merlo unveiled the SM30, it marked a turning point in material handling technology. This machine wasn’t just another piece of equipment—it was the world’s first telehandler with features that we take for granted today. Its debut set the stage for a new category of machinery that would dominate construction and agriculture for decades to come.
What made the SM30 so innovative? At its core, the SM30 introduced features that were unheard of at the time. It offered permanent four-wheel drive, four-wheel steering, and equal-sized wheels, delivering superior traction and manoeuvrabilitycompared to conventional rough terrain forklifts and other early telehandler designs. This design allowed operators to work confidently on rough terrain, a critical advantage for both construction sites and farms. The inclusion of a hydrostatic transmission provided smooth, precise control, while the telescopic boom gave unprecedented reach and flexibility, enabling tasks that previously required multiple machines.
Beyond its technical specifications, the SM30 represented a new philosophy in machine design. Merlo focused on compactness and visibility, ensuring operators had a clear view of their surroundings—a safety and efficiency benefit that became a hallmark of the Merlo brand. This emphasis on operator experience, combined with robust engineering, meant the SM30 could handle heavy loads while maintaining stability and ease of use.
The impact on the both the agricultural and construction industries was profound. Before the SM30, material handling relied on a mix of tractor loaders, forklifts and cranes, each with limitations. Merlo’s innovation created a single solution that could lift, extend, and manoeuvre with agility. It opened the door for specialised models like the Panoramic series in 1987, which improved visibility further, and the Roto range in 1991, introducing 360-degree rotation for crane-like functionality. Later, dedicatedagricultural variants such as the Turbofarmer (launched in 1996) and the Multifarmer (introduced in 2000) blended telehandler versatility with tractor capabilities, revolutionising farm operations.
Looking Ahead
As Merlo prepares to showcase its latest innovations at LAMMA 2026, the SM30’s legacy remains clear. It didn’t just lead the way— it set the benchmark for safety, performance, and adaptability that still defines the telehandler market today. Visit Hall 6, Stand 630 to see the original SM30 alongside the newest Turbofarmer models and experience firsthand how Merlo continues to push the boundaries of innovation for the future.
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