JLG Telehandler vs. Merlo Telehandler [One Option Saves You Thousands]
- Apr 30, 2025
- 3 min read
If you’re weighing up a JLG telehandler versus a Merlo, one thing’s already clear—you’ve got a serious job to do.
Maybe it’s commercial. Maybe it’s industrial. Maybe you just need muscle and reach without the price tag of a full-blown crane.
But here’s what most buyers never hear until it’s too late:
Not all telehandlers are built for your kind of pressure.
At Westpeak Equipment, we rent one of the most powerful, flexible machines on the market—the Merlo Roto 50.35. And we’ve seen firsthand how it stacks up against top names like JLG.
If you’re considering your options, here are 5 things you need to know before you commit.
1. JLG is Built for Power. Merlo is Built for Precision.
There’s no denying the JLG 1255 is a beast.
Max lift height: 55 ft
Max reach: 42 ft
Capacity: 12,000 lbs
But the Merlo Roto 50.35 does all of that—and then some.
Lift height: 111 ft 6 in
Capacity: 11,000 lbs
And here’s the game changer: 360° rotation
With JLG, you often need to reposition your machine for every lift. With Merlo, you stay planted and rotate into position. Less time. Less fuel. Less margin for error.
2. JLG Wants You to Buy. Merlo Lets You Rent Smarter.
JLG machines are built to own. And that’s the problem.
The cost of a high-spec JLG telehandler like the 1255? Up to $650,000. Plus insurance. Maintenance. Storage. Operator certification.
At Westpeak Equipment, we rent the Merlo Roto 50.35 starting at just $14,500 to $17,000 per month.
No long-term commitment
Delivery included
On-site demo and training
Full Merlo-certified support
You don’t tie up your cash. You don’t babysit equipment. You just get the job done.
3. JLG Needs a Crane Operator. Merlo Doesn’t.
This one hits your bottom line hard.
Operating a JLG at height often means hiring a certified crane operator. That’s $180 an hour, every day.
But with Merlo?
No crane license needed. Just you, the controls, and a job done faster.
We’ve had clients save over $40,000 in labour on a single long-term job by switching to our Rotos.
And if you’re not using a crane, you’re not waiting on one either.
4. JLG Gives You Comfort. Merlo Gives You Control.
JLG telehandlers like the 1255 do a good job of keeping operators happy:
Single joystick operation
Integrated armrest
Reversing camera and SkySense sensors
SmartLoad load detection system
But here’s the thing.
The Merlo Roto 50.35 has all of that—plus the kind of control you only get with a full rotation cab and ergonomic design tailored for jobsite visibility.
You’re not just comfortable. You’re in command.
5. JLG Is a Solid Brand. But Merlo Comes With a Team.
Buying or renting a JLG puts you in a dealer network. But renting from Westpeak puts you in our inner circle.
We’re not just equipment providers—we’re problem solvers.
You’ll get:
Merlo-trained service from our partners at Hank’s Welding
Real people you can call for support
Local delivery across BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan
Attachments for any job—buckets, winches, platforms, jibs, man baskets
Final Verdict: Which Telehandler Wins?
If you want to buy, own, and maintain your own fleet, a JLG telehandler might be the right fit.
But if you want flexibility, freedom, and a high-performance machine that rotates, lifts, and saves you time on every site?
The Merlo Roto 50.35 is your move. And Westpeak Equipment is your partner.
Let’s Get to Work
You don’t need the biggest name. You need the best machine. Let’s get your crew the gear that gets more done—for less.
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