As the agricultural specialist within the Wacker Neuson group, the Weidemann product range has most closely been associated with compact wheeled loaders, including telescopic variants.

But in recent years, the German manufacturer has progressively expanded its portfolio with larger, more powerful loaders in both traditional and telescopic formats – and with a selection of offset cab telescopic handlers.

Until now, the company has had just three models – the diminutive 4.5m/1.25 tonne T4512 (see separate story), the 5.5m/2.2 tonne T5522, and its first mainstream model, the 6m/2.7 tonne T6027.

Now, there are two 7m class handlers in the range – the Weidemann T7035 with 3.5-tonne maximum lift capacity and the T7042 lifting 4.2 tonnes; both lift to a pivot pin height of 7.30m and stand 2.45m to the top of the cabin, while weighing in at 7.25 and 7.65 tonne, respectively.

As a sister company to Kramer, which sells into both the agricultural and construction markets, it would be easy to assume that the Weidemann machines are ‘badge engineered’ clones of that company’s products.

But not so. There may well be a degree of component sharing under the skin, but there are significant differences in terms of the cab, operating features and power units.

Weidemann’s 7m machines, for example, are powered by Perkins engines in contrast to Kramer’s Deutz diesels; they feature a curved ‘panoramic’ rear window in the four-post cab; and they have a different cab interior layout.

Nor do they match any current Kramer machines in terms of lift capacity and lift height to ensure that each has its own position in the market.

Nestling between the right-hand wheels of the Weidemann handlers is a Perkins 904 series compact four-cylinder engine of 3.6-litres swept capacity.

Factory power options for the T7035 amount to a modest 102hp and punchier outputs of 122hp and 136hp, while the T7042 is available only with the two more powerful motors.

Both use a DOC, DPF and SCR urea injection combined in a unit snuggled neatly under the engine cover to clean up the exhaust emissions to European Stage V standards.

Power and torque are channelled to all four wheels by Weidemann’s PowerDrive 255 hydrostatic transmission, which comprises a pump driven directly from the engine – mounted sideways in the chassis – with oil flowing to a hydraulic motor that drives a transfer dropbox and shafts heading forwards and rearwards.

Different modes provide full-power, revs-reducing Eco and separated engine and ground speed control to suit different applications and working or travelling situations. Drive is continuous from standstill to 40kph and the machines run on standard 24in 405/70 tyres all round.

The hydraulics package comprises a 138-litre/min gear pump system with an auxiliary circuit pressure release button located on the boom close to the couplings for a muck grab and the like.

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Weidemann’s Vertical Lift System offers one of three boom control modes, including Stacking that automatically extends and retracts the telescopic section as it is raised and lowered so that the attachment follows an almost vertical lift path.

Apart from helping maintain a stable configuration, this technique is reckoned to relieve the operator of selected control inputs and save time.

Alternatively, boom lift/lower, in/out and attachment tip/crowd can be operated conventionally, or Bucket mode can be selected to get the attachment – be it a bucket or a fork – back to a pre-selected position ready to take on another scoop of grain or forkful of muck.

These operations are all handled by a joystick in the cab, which has a slimline ‘dash’ panel ahead of the driver complete with seven-inch digital display, and with the safe load indicator positioned a little higher on the right-hand cab pillar.

A windscreen that curves upwards from the dash to beyond the driver’s head gives a generous view forwards and upwards to the raised boom, while the rear three-quarters view is helped by the absence of thick rear pillars.

Instead, the rear uprights are positioned roughly inline with the operator’s shoulders, with the glazing then curving around to the very slim frame of an upward opening central window.

With the engine cover sloping away, its possible to see the right-rear wheel – or rather the mudguard covering it, which should help avoid collisions with gate posts or building stanchions, especially when reversing.