New telehandlers arriving in the UK are putting renewed emphasis on the place where operators spend much of their working day: the cab.
Merlo's Generation III TF42.7 and TF38.10 agricultural telehandlers feature revised steps, roof protection, cab mountings and stability controls. The changes are intended to improve access, visibility, comfort and safety during everyday materials-handling work.
The TF42.7 has a 4.2-tonne lifting capacity and seven-metre lift height, while the TF38.10 offers a 3.8-tonne capacity and ten-metre lift height. Two-speed hydrostatic versions are becoming available through UK dealers, with CVTronic models scheduled for January 2027.
For farms and contractors not planning to replace a machine, the launch still provides a useful reason to examine existing telehandler cabs. Clear windows, an adjustable seat, an accessible restraint and an unobstructed view can matter just as much on an older machine.
What has changed inside the new Merlo telehandlers?
The Generation III machines build on Merlo's existing TurboFarmer range rather than replacing it with a completely different design.
One of the most visible changes is the revised cab access. Wider, staggered steps and a 50mm cut-out in the cab floor are intended to make repeated entry and exit easier. This is particularly relevant on livestock farms, in yards and during loading work where an operator may climb in and out many times during a shift.
New cab mountings are designed to reduce the amount of noise and vibration reaching the operator. Merlo says this should make the cab more comfortable during long working days.
Upward visibility has also been reconsidered. The redesigned Falling Object Protective Structure has a front roof bar positioned 30mm higher, with its protective plates arranged to give the operator a clearer view of the attachment and load when the boom is raised.
Other changes include an extended chassis, metal mudguards and an updated Adaptive Stability Control System. The revised system allows additional recovery movements during an overload condition while remaining within its safety parameters. Operators can also programme non-Merlo attachments into the system.
These are manufacturer claims relating to the new models. Safe operation will still depend on the correct machine, attachment, training, maintenance and working procedure.
Why cab condition matters on every telehandler
Telehandlers present particular visibility challenges because the boom, cab pillars, attachments and carried load can obstruct the operator's view.
The Health and Safety Executive advises that telehandlers should only be driven by authorised, trained and competent operators. Before use, mirrors and other visibility aids should be properly adjusted, cab windows should be clean and the glass beside the boom should be intact.
The HSE also says operators should check that the machine has a lap belt or similar restraint and that the overload indicator is working.
A new roof design may improve the view upwards, but it cannot compensate for dirty glass, damaged mirrors, loose equipment or an operator who has not completed the required checks. Cab care therefore belongs within the machine's wider inspection and maintenance system.
Five practical checks for a working telehandler cab
1. Keep every line of sight clear
Clean the windscreen, side windows, roof glass, mirrors and camera lenses before work begins. Pay particular attention to dried mud and dust around the boom side of the cab.
Check that wipers and washers work and that mirrors remain properly adjusted. If a load obscures the forward view, follow the operator's manual and the farm's safe working procedure. Depending on the situation, this may require travelling in reverse or using a competent banksman positioned where the driver can see them.
Never leave paperwork, clothing or equipment where it blocks glass, mirrors, cameras or controls.
2. Inspect the seat and restraint together
The operator should be able to adjust the seat into a comfortable position while reaching the controls and maintaining good visibility.
Inspect the seat structure, adjustment mechanism and suspension for damage or excessive movement. The lap belt must latch, release and retract correctly where applicable.
If a seat cover is fitted, it should be treated as interior protection, not as safety equipment. It must not cover the belt buckle, interfere with seat adjustment, obstruct controls or prevent any seat-occupancy sensor from operating.
A badly fitted cover that moves or bunches beneath the operator should be corrected or removed.
3. Keep steps, handles and the cab floor usable
Mud, straw, oil and ice can turn access steps into slipping hazards. Clean the steps and cab floor regularly, and repair loose or damaged anti-slip surfaces.
Check that handholds are secure and free from obstructions. Operators should use the access points provided by the manufacturer and avoid jumping from the cab.
Loose objects on the floor can also become trapped behind pedals or roll beneath the operator's feet. Tools, towing pins and other equipment should have a secure storage location.
4. Check warnings and visibility aids before moving
The pre-use inspection should include the horn, lights, warning devices, mirrors, cameras and overload indicator. Any fault should be reported through a clear system so that the machine is not simply handed to the next operator.
Before moving, look around the complete machine and check for pedestrians. Farms should separate people from telehandler routes wherever reasonably practicable, particularly around livestock buildings, workshops, stores and loading areas.
A camera or mirror supports the operator; it does not remove the need to check the surroundings.
5. Make cab condition part of planned maintenance
Daily cleaning and inspection should sit alongside the manufacturer's servicing schedule and any examinations required for the machine and its lifting equipment.
Record recurring faults instead of repeatedly working around them. A mirror that constantly moves, a torn seat that affects the operator's position or a door that no longer closes correctly may need a proper repair rather than another temporary adjustment.
Operators should also know who is responsible for reporting damage and who has authority to take the machine out of service.
Protecting a heavily used telehandler seat
A telehandler cab regularly encounters mud, grease, dust, animal hair and wet workwear. Protecting the seat can make the cab easier to clean and help reduce wear to the original upholstery.
Farm Packs supplies telehandler seat covers, including high-back and low-back options with optional farm or business-logo embroidery.
Selection should be based on the seat actually fitted to the machine, not the telehandler badge alone. Seats can differ between model years, specifications and replacement installations. Check the seat style and dimensions before ordering, and ensure the fitted cover leaves every restraint, adjustment, sensor and control fully accessible.
Use the launch as a prompt for a cab review
The new Merlo models demonstrate how access, visibility and the operator environment are becoming important areas of machinery development.
Farms do not need a new machine to act on the same priorities. Choose one working telehandler and review:
- Whether every window, mirror and camera is clean and serviceable
- Whether the seat and restraint work correctly
- Whether steps, handholds and the floor are clean and secure
- Whether loose equipment is safely stored
- Whether warning systems and the overload indicator operate correctly
- Whether the operator is trained for the machine and attachments
- Whether any fitted seat cover leaves safety equipment unobstructed
A well-kept cab will not replace competent operation, machine maintenance or proper risk assessment. It can, however, support a clearer view, a more usable working environment and better care of equipment that often works throughout the year.
This article provides general information and does not replace the manufacturer's instructions, appropriate operator training, statutory examinations or a suitable risk assessment.
Sources
Agrimachinery News: Next telehandler generation brings revised cab and safety features — 10 September 2026
Merlo UK: Inside the new Gen III TF38.10 and TF42.7 — 27 July 2026
HSE: Telescopic materials handlers in agriculture — updated 9 December 2024
HSE: Agricultural machinery visibility — updated 24 October 2024
