Manitou’s new Maniscopic telehandlers offer a spacious, modern cab for greater operator comfort, ergonomically positioned controls that are grouped by function, and several new accessories.
Manitou New Zealand sales manager, Rob Fuller, says new model Manitou’s have a fresh look, with lots of little of improvements that all add up.
They include oval headlights for both work and road travel, an external toolbox fitted as standard, a wiper for the right-hand side window guaranteeing full visibility, and wider 460mm Michelin XMCL tyres fitted to the MLT 741 range.
“The new cab interior has related functions grouped together for logical, common sense operation. Features such as drive and transmission, plus hydraulics, are easy to see and activate.
“The new cabs also feature better sound insulation and improved sealing. The redesigned instrument panel includes an air outlet under the steering wheel, directed towards the driver’s face.
“New built-in equipment fitted as standard include: clock, speedometer with built-in rev counter, two-speed windscreen wiper, automatic indicator cancellation, a package net behind the seat, and a new steering column adjustment control,” Fuller says.
Manitou’s agricultural range of telescopic handlers is the Manitou MLT series, which includes the MLT 731 model, MLT 735, and the top of the line MLT 741T.
The MLT 741 is fitted with a 123hp engine and eight-speed power shift transmission. It has a lift height of 6.9m and 4.1-tonne capacity.
The MLT 735 offers a balance between compactness and lifting performance. It has a lifting height of 6.9m and a nominal capacity of 3.5-tonne. Combined with the torque converter transmission, it puts its 123hp to most use when required on heavy surfaces.
The MLT 731T is fitted with a 101hp, four-speed torque converter, and has a lift capacity of 6.9m and 3.1-tonne.
All models come with a LSU option. These feature Manitou’s exclusive JSM hydraulic control, which speeds up the hydraulic operation by diverting oil to all functions simultaneously to provide quicker and more responsive hydraulic functions.
Fuller says, in conjunction with LSU hydraulic technology, the JSM system allows the operator to move the machine forward or reverse whilst undertaking multiple tasks in unison, while still maintaining safe and efficient operation. The operator’s left hand is completely devoted to steering, while his right hand controls the boom and the forward/reverse movements.
The JSM joystick is mounted as standard on all LSU models. The new JSM lever is even more ergonomic, with its grip making it easier to handle and its ergonomic reverser for intuitive finger positioning on the different joystick controls.
“Another important feature on some new model Mantiou’s is the Powershift gearbox with new speed ratios. This new series, combined with the torque converter, meets farmers’ daily needs.”
The first two ratios are used for work requiring torque or a slow travel speed, such as distribution or forage or scraping. Gears three, four and five are for handling operations, or daily work inside buildings or yards. The sixth gear is for travel along roads and can reach up to 42kmh, limiting the time spent on travelling between distant workplaces.