Despite the uncertainties brought about by changes in tariff policies and supply chain disruptions, the US infrastructure giants still rely on the multi-functionality of their equipment and safety technology innovations to stabilize market demand. (Leasing News Release, Machinery Intelligence Station Abstract and Translation)
To gain insight into the dynamics of the large-scale infrastructure market in the United States, one should pay attention to the "giants" in the field - high-capacity telescopic handler trucks with a rated load capacity of over 10,000 pounds (approximately 4.5 tons) are becoming core equipment in major infrastructure projects. These machines, which also function as cranes, are commonly seen at construction sites for bridges, wind farms, industrial plants, and large commercial complexes, thanks to their tall boom arms and heavy-duty chassis.
The industry is currently facing multiple challenges: tariff policies, tax rate fluctuations, labor shortages, and macro policy changes are all influencing investment decisions and project schedules, instilling caution among manufacturers and contractors. "Policy changes have shortened from a quarterly or monthly basis to a daily level," said Matthew Lyons, vice president of sales at Magni telescopic handler trucks. "This constant fluctuation creates a high degree of uncertainty... We expect the market to stabilize in the short term, and the suppressed demand in the fourth quarter will be released."
The industry is generally facing similar headwinds. Malcolm Early, vice president of marketing at Skyjack, pointed out: "Market activity weakened at the end of 2024 and this trend will continue into 2025. The current economic uncertainty is the main reason for the slowdown in demand." Jeffrey Eckhardt, president of Xtreme Manufacturing, also believes that tariffs, supply chain fluctuations, and hesitation in capital spending have collectively suppressed growth, but he remains optimistic about the medium-term outlook: "As confidence returns and large-scale projects progress, the industry will rebound strongly."
Despite concerns, most manufacturers confirmed that the core demand remains stable. Lee Tes, the product manager of JCB North America, said: "Although the demand has not reached the peak of last year, it remains stable. Heavy-duty equipment is indispensable on large construction sites, although the urgency has slightly decreased, the demand for reliable heavy object hoisting remains constant."
The diversification of application scenarios has supported the market resilience. John Bom, the senior product manager of JLG, pointed out that these equipment have broken through the traditional fields of concrete pouring and steel frame installation. For contractors who want to control capital expenditures, multi-functional equipment that can handle brick trays, steel beam hoisting, and super-large pipelines at the same time is more valuable.
"Besides construction and bridge projects, large telescopic boom forklifts are accelerating their penetration into special fields such as mining, quarries, renewable energy installation, and waste disposal," Bom added. Amalia Kopak, the global senior product manager of Genie, emphasized that engine innovation drives demand: "Equipment above 10,000 pounds previously required large diesel engines and exhaust fluid (DEF), but the emergence of a 74-horsepower DEF-free engine significantly boosted market demand... Equipment ranging from 10,000 to 12,000 pounds (approximately 5.4 tons) is highly applicable on construction sites."
As the lifting capacity increases, the boundary between high-load telescopic boom forklift trucks and cranes is gradually blurring. In the fields of modular construction and heavy industrial maintenance, the mobility advantage of the former can offer a more economical option – provided that safety regulations are strictly followed. "Equipment is evolving towards larger, smarter and safer directions," Boem said. "When operators find that a single piece of equipment can exceed expectations in completing tasks, their equipment selection concepts will completely change."
Several manufacturers have warned that although the lifting capacity has reached the range of traditional cranes, there are still shortcomings in the safety training of operators and on-site personnel. "When the equipment load reaches 40-50 ton level, the importance of on-site safety and lifting standards becomes prominent," Eckhard pointed out. "Investing in training is a forward-looking measure to ensure the efficient and safe operation of the equipment." Lyons said bluntly: "Contractors performing million-pound lifting without a safety monitoring mechanism are still tacitly approved by the industry. This phenomenon is shocking. American workers are the backbone of the construction industry, and we must do our best to ensure their safety."
Training is becoming a key area of regulatory focus and a differentiating competitive factor. For instance, Melo Company is actively promoting operator certification and hybrid power tests, and is competing with local enterprises in the North American market.
To respond to changes in on-site demands, manufacturers are accelerating product iterations. Gini has recently launched the GTH-1244 and GTH-1044 models specifically designed for lifting operations, "providing efficient solutions for steel structure installation, pipeline handling, and mining operation maintenance," according to Copark. Lyons emphasized the versatility: "Each Magni equipment is equipped with industry-leading load torque indicator (LMI) technology... over 100 types of attachments are available... and new options are continuously developed by active users."
Although electrification is the general trend, industry consensus holds that battery technology in the high-load sector still needs to be broken through to match the lifting performance and range of diesel engines. Hybrid power solutions are being actively developed, which are expected to reduce emissions while maintaining the endurance of multi-shift operations. JCB Tes summarized: "High-load telescopic boom forklifts are the most direct and efficient equipment on the construction site, and diesel power remains a reliable choice. This category is about trust, and this is precisely the core demand of customers."