Merlo is gearing up to showcase a variety of cutting-edge innovations at SaMoTer 2026. These innovations demonstrate the company's dedication to Italian manufacturing excellence and its ability to meet the demands of a growing global market.
A major highlight is the launch of the new ROTO16 and ROTO18 series—an evolution of Merlo’s compact rotating telehandlers, engineered to deliver greater power, enhanced stability and improved operating comfort on today’s complex worksites.
These new models offer a load capacity increase of up to 75%, thanks to a redesigned, wider chassis that enhances balance and performance, along with an upgraded ASCS (Adaptive Stability Control System) delivering superior responsiveness.
Another key development is the debut of a new advanced remote control, designed as a single interface for all remote machine operations, and the introduction of an automatic attachment recognition system—technology nominated for the SaMoTer Innovation Award 2026.
Finally, as Gold Sponsor of SaMoTer Academy, Merlo reinforces its commitment to professional training, supporting a new generation of operators in meeting the demands of an evolving industry.
Merlo introduces ROTO16 and ROTO18: innovation, performance and operating comfort in compact rotating telehandlers
Merlo has completely redesigned the ROTO 16–18 range with a structural evolution aimed at meeting the growing productivity needs of complex construction sites, vertical lifting opera-tions and intensive work cycles.
The new ROTO16 and ROTO18 series — available on the Italian market starting in September — has been engineered with one clear goal: raising performance, safety and control standards on the jobsite.
The first major upgrade is the increase in load capacity, rising from 4 to 5 tonnes, a 25% im-provement that can reach up to 75% in specific areas of the load chart.
To ensure full stability even at maximum reach, this increase has been paired with an extended chassis and a wider stabilizer footprint (+20 cm on each side).
More power, greater ease of use
Performance upgrades go hand in hand with improved everyday operability. New functional logic enables intelligent engine speed management, automatically adjusting RPM dur-ing stabilizer or suspension use. This makes the machine more responsive, especially during cold starts or repetitive cycles.
Motion smoothness has also been enhanced: boom descent is now faster and more consistent, main-taining a constant speed compliant with EN15000 safety standards. Operators can further personalize machine behaviour by adjusting turret rotation speed and setting limits on hydraulic movements for more precise control.
Additional access points have been added to improve comfort and accessibility: two redesigned steps with increased surface area that make it easier to get in the cab, even when wearing bulky PPE, and two additional points for chassis inspections even when the boom is rotated. The 180° door, featuring a lockable upper window, improves accessibility, ventilation and interaction with the outside environ-ment.
Technological innovation
The technological evolution of the range focuses on the enhanced ASCS, which now offers increased performance in terms of speed, smoothness, and predictive control. Traditional limitations on boom movements have been reduced, allowing for a faster descent, even at an extended reach.
A new Cartesian movement mode ensures perfectly vertical or horizontal movements, extending and lifting the boom simultaneously, simplifying manoeuvres such as approaching walls or handling pallets in tight spaces.
The Set-Point function allows operators to save a specific boom position and recall it automatically, speeding up repetitive tasks.
A load chart simulator is also included, enabling operators to predict how the working area changes with different attachments or machine configurations before beginning operations. During simulation, boom movements are temporarily blocked.
ROTO 60.22 - 27
Featuring the same functional characteristics as the 16–18 models but with greater load capacity, larger dimensions and extended boom length, the new ROTO60.22 and ROTO60.27 offer an additional metre of lifting height and a 1,000-kg increase in maximum capacity. This is the result of a structural redesign enabling higher load limits.
Available on the Italian market from November, the 60.27S Plus configuration will be showcased at SaMoTer.
New Remote Control
A major update across the rotating telehandler range is the introduction of an advanced remote-control system, designed as the single interface for remote machine operation. Equipped with an ergonomic grip and IP65 protection against dust and water, the device offers a range of up to 100 metres. It includes a colour display, two mini-joysticks and a removable battery (two supplied as standard) with approximately 10 hours of autonomy, rechargeable via USB-C.
Five operating modes are available:
- Boom (two versions: standard and Cartesian);
- Driving;
- Levelling;
- Stabilizers.
can customize the on-screen commands based on the selected mode and save up to six
operating profiles for use in different environments (construction sites, municipal applications, etc.).
Key features of the new interface include:
- A display that clearly shows the active operating mode, switchable via selector; unlike other systems, icons are displayed only on-screen, ensuring clear, uncluttered information;
- The display changes colour when stability limits are reached, highlighting safe movements; yellow icons and a red background indicate potential risk.
The remote control manages not only the boom, but also positioning manoeuvres, stabilization and
chassis levelling, ensuring a continuous link between control and safety.
Additionally, the optional remote driving feature enables machine movement at up to 5 km/h (or 2
km/h with the Space platform), subject to specific operating conditions such as boom angle and
extension.
The Space platform, reaching a maximum height of 11 metres and allowing negative movements down
to –7/–8 metres, provides additional support for elevated tasks or operations near suspended
structures, further expanding the machine’s versatility.
Automatic Attachment Recognition
The optional system for recognizing non-coded or older generation attachments is another major
enhancement. Operators can configure and save attachment parameters directly in the system.
Since many users rely on this type of attachment, sometimes disabling safety systems, this innovation
offers a practical and structured solution that ensures full safety without compromising performance.
The system keeps all safety devices active while maintaining high productivity, operator protection
and compliance with operational standards.
This technology has been nominated for the SaMoTer Innovation Award 2026, whose winners will
be announced during the show.
