The reliability of JCB’s telehandlers has been integral to a national cable reel management business, with one of its models still thriving after more than 20 years and over 110,000 hours of operation
Any heavy machine that is still operating after more than 20 years is a testament to ongoing maintenance performed to keep it running at an optimal level.
However, when a machine reaches more than 100,000 operating hours and is still thriving, credit must go to the reliability and durability of an OEM’s build.
For family business Reelmen Australia, that credit goes to JCB for building a telehandler that has stood the test of time, clocking up over 110,000 hours since it was purchased two decades ago.
Reelmen Australia is a cable reel management business, which has been operating for 40 years and today boasts four locations across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia.
Cable reels, also known as cable drums, are used for the transport and installation of cable.
However, once the cable is used, many reels are disposed of as waste in landfills – which is not only detrimental to the environment but also an expense for many businesses.
Reelmen aims to solve this problem by purchasing used cable reels, repairing them and then reselling to cable manufacturers as a recycled product to hold new cable.
These reusable products therefore eliminate the need to buy new cable reels, delivering cost savings and reducing environmental harm.
“We primarily buy cable reels from electricians and construction sites,” Reelmen Australia general manager Joe Lewis says.
“In recent times, we’ve had customers interested in using second hand cable reels in various other ways, such as tables and stools, however, this is a very small part of our business.”
Dynamic duo
A pair of JCB telehandlers – procured from national distributor JCB CEA – are integral to Reelmen’s operation, with the high reach capabilities assisting general loading and unloading of cable reels from trucks.
They are also used to transport cable reels that need to be repaired or refurbished around Reelmen’s yard.
“If there are any broken parts on the cable reels, such as timber, we need to replace it,” Lewis says.
“We will modify it, if need be, or even paint the reel if it’s required. The telehandlers help us get them back on the trucks to deliver once they’re ready.”
In the early days of the business, loading and unloading of cable reels was done both with backhoes and often manual labour, before Reelmen procured a brand new JCB 531-70 Agri telehandler in 2005 to streamline the process.
This model has been a staple of Reelmen’s Londonderry, Sydney branch ever since, clocking up over 110,000 hours – a feat which even JCB CEA says is “unheard of for a telehandler”.
What’s even more impressive about this model’s longevity is the fact that it is still operating with the original running gear and has never had an overhaul on the powertrain, which can be attributed Reelmen’s ongoing care for the machine.
“We do a lot of the servicing ourselves and it’s been a really good unit,” Lewis says.
“It’s used every day, so we certainly have used it and abused it, but it’s still reliable and we haven’t done anything to the engine.”
Stacking cable reels on Reelmen’s trucks is just one job the JCB telehandler has thrived in, thanks in large part to its 7m maximum lift height and 3.7m maximum reach.
“We can stack cable reels up a couple of levels, so the telehandler helps to place them on top of each other,” Lewis says.
“It is a bit of a game of Tetris to make the different sized reels fit.”
Reelmen has also had a JCB 525-60 telehandler at its Melbourne branch for several years, which has performed similar jobs.
“We also have a JCB 540-14 in NSW but it’s probably a little bit too big for our yard, so we’re looking to get something smaller,” Lewis says.
With the longevity shown by JCB, there was no question of going to another brand for a replacement.
“The 531-70 model we’ve used in Sydney has been so good for us, so we’re hoping to get another one in that size,” Lewis says.
“It’s been easy to use, has great vision and the joystick controller works really well for us. The manoeuvrability has been great, and it has been really reliable.”
For more information on JCB CEA’s telehandler range, visit jcbcea.com.au
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