Equipment manufacturer Manitou has unveiled three upgraded rotating telescopic handlers, two new fixed-frame telehandlers, a new below-grade work-platform attachment, and a new attachment-recognition system to the North American market.
The company rolled out the new and improved products to dealers and the trade press at its North American headquarters in West Bend, Wis., during the first week of November.
All of the new products offer major improvements in features and performance, or are new products previously unavailable in North America.
The upgraded products include three rotating telehandlers: the MRT 1840 Easy 360, MRT 2150 Privilege Plus, and MRT 2540 Privilege Plus.
The new-to-America fixed-frame telescopic handler models are the MT 1440 and MT 1840.
The new below-grade work-platform attachment, named the 3D Pendulum Basket, features an articulating boom that suits it to applications like under-bridge inspection.
Rounding out Manitou’s recent introductions was the E-RECO attachment-recognition system, which comes standard on MRT Privilege Plus rotating telehandlers. E-RECO uses an RFID system to let the telehandler automatically recognize which attachment is mounted to its boom and then load the proper capacity chart into the control system.
MRT rotating telehandlers
The three upgraded rotating telehandlers all offer new features that either were optional or unavailable on earlier versions. One of the upgraded models is named the MRT 1840 Easy 360. The other two are the MRT 2150 Privilege Plus and the MRT 2540 Privilege Plus. Manitou has added the Plus to the names of the two new Privilege models to help customers differentiate them from earlier versions.
All three of the new rotating telehandlers can operate in telehandler, winch, and platform modes. Fabien Ledebt, Manitou’s marketing and sales support manager for the Americas, says, “These MRT rotating telehandlers combine the functions of a crane, access platform, and telehandler into one efficient, productive machine.”
All three models in this latest generation of Manitou rotating telehandlers include these standard features: front and rear stabilizers with variable positions to accommodate jobsite obstacles, automatic stabilizer leveling, 360° continuous turret rotation, E-RECO attachment-recognition system, a control system that adjusts capacities and work zones based on stabilizer position, enclosed cab with air conditioning, a hydraulic speed control that lets the operator slow down the speed of operation for precise control, a Forward-Neutral-Reverse travel selector switch on the right-hand joystick, a 7-in. color display, work and road lights, sunscreens for the roof and windshield, and a single wireless remote control for boom and work-platform operation.
All three MRT models also feature turbocharged diesel engines that provide plenty of power and but still significantly reduce fuel consumption by automatically matching power output to the machine’s operational needs. The MRT 1840 Easy 360 has a 101 hp. Tier 4 Interim-compliant Perkins diesel engine, and the MRT 2150 and MRT 2540 are powered by a 150 hp. Tier 3 Mercedes-Benz diesel. A two-speed hydrostatic transmission, four-wheel drive, and oscillating rear axles come standard on all three models.
The MRT 1840 Easy 360 has a maximum capacity of 8,800 lbs., a maximum lifting height of 58’9”, and a maximum forward reach 49’6”. On stabilizers, it can lift 6,000 lbs. to its maximum height and pick up 800 pounds at maximum forward reach.
The MRT 2150 Privilege Plus can lift up to 11,000 lbs. It can also lift 5,500 lbs. to its 67’7” maximum lifting height and can pick 1,320 lbs. at its 59’5” maximum forward reach.
The MRT 2540 Privilege Plus can pick a maximum of 8,800 lbs., and can lift 3,800 lbs. to it maximum lifting height of 80’ 8.5”. Maximum forward reach is 60’ 8”, and capacity at that radius is 800 lbs.
All three of the new MRT rotating telehandlers will accept the attachments used on previous (non-E-RECO) MRT telehandlers, but the machine operator will have to manually select the correct capacity chart.
The spacious, ergonomic cab is equipped with two electro-hydraulic joysticks that control boom extension, turret swing, accessories, load lifting, and fork tilting. The two joysticks allow simultaneous control of all machine movements. The armrests, steering wheel, and seat are fully adjustable, and an optional seat on the Privilege Plus models reclines up to 13° for operator comfort when working at high boom angles.
All machine information is available on an alphanumeric LCD control display that monitors axle alignment, steering mode, load levels, working zone limits, stabilizer mode, and more. Speed memory lets an operator tailor the machine’s performance to specific applications by storing maximum movement speeds for boom lifting, boom extension, fork tilt, turret rotation, and auxiliary hydraulic functions.
MT fixed-frame telehandlers
In addition to rotating telehandlers, Manitou introduced two new fixed-frame telehandlers to North America.
The new models, named the MT 1440 Premiere and the MT 1840 Premiere, had previously been available in other parts of the world, but are now available in North America for the first time.
Both of the new telehandlers offer 9,000-lb. maximum capacity and come with frame leveling and front stabilizers as standard features.
In addition to the standard MT 1840 Premiere, Manitou offers two specialized versions. The MT 1840 A Premiere comes with an LMI and is prepared for handling an aerial work platform attachment. The MT 1840 H Premiere is equipped with a hydrostatic transmission instead of a powershuttle transmission and also has an inching pedal for extra-precise control of ground speed.
The MT 1440 can lift 9,000 lbs. to a height of 32 ft., and can lift 7,000 lbs. to its maximum lifting height of 44’4”. On rubber, it can lift 4,000 lbs. to the same maximum height. The MT 1440’s maximum forward reach is 31’0”. At that distance, it can pick 3,000 lbs. with stabilizers deployed or 500 lbs. on rubber.
The MT 1840 can lift a maximum capacity of 9,000 lbs. and place it at a height of 32 ft. It can also place 7,000 lbs. at a height of 42 ft., or place 5,000 lbs. at its maximum lifting height of 57’7”. On rubber, the MT 1840 can lift 4,000 lbs. to 57’7”. The MT 1840 has a maximum forward reach of 42’11”. At that distance, it can lift 1,900 lbs. on stabilizers or 800 lbs. on rubber.
The MT 1440 and all versions of the MT 1840 are powered by a 102 hp. turbocharged Perkins diesel engine that meets Tier 4 Interim emission regulations.
All attachments for existing Manitou MT telehandlers will work on the new models, too.
Both the MT 1440 and MT 1840 come with full-enclosed cab equipped with air conditioning, heat, and ROPS/FOPS canopy. The low-mounted boom lets the operator see a full 360°. An adjustable seat and steering wheel come standard on all models for comfort and ergonomics. The standard switch-and-move joystick combines boom control, attachment control, and drive selection on one control lever.
Boom lights, work lights and road lights are standard.
A wide-opening hood reduces maintenance time by providing full access to the engine, gauges, and filters. In addition, a maintenance and diagnosis display on the multifunction screen in the cab allows an operator to easily monitor machine maintenance.
Hydraulic flow of 45 gpm (170 L/min) provides excellent hydraulic performance for a wide variety of attachments. Attachments include truss booms, jib booms, buckets and multiple types of platforms (only available on MT 1840 A) and forks. The hydraulic hoses are routed inside the boom, protecting them from jobsite hazards.
3D Pendulum Basket
In addition to rolling out its new telehandler models, Manitou introduced a new attachment at its recent events.
The new “3D Pendulum Basket” attachment enables a worker to be positioned below the level of the telehandler’s tires and back under the machine’s position—the kind of capability that enables a worker to inspect the underside of a bridge from a telehandler positioned atop the bridge deck.
The attachment mounts to the tip of a telehandler boom. Its first section is a vertical arm that can telescope downward and has a 360° rotating joint at its bottom. The rotator connects to a 20’ horizontal boom that connects to a personnel basket. Operation is controlled from the basket, which has a 440-lb. maximum capacity.
One of the Manitou customers and dealers who attended the rollout was Robert Kalhagen, president of Ideal Crane Rental Inc., of Madison, Wis., a Manitou customer and dealer since 2002.
Ideal Crane Rental’s extensive fleet includes Manitou MRT rotating telehandlers, MT fixed-frame telehandlers, and MHT heavy telehandlers with capacities to 46,000 lbs.
Ideal Crane Rental has purchased one each of the new MRT 2150 and MRT 2540 Privilege Plus rotating telehandlers, as well as two each of the new MT 1440 and MT 1840 fixed-frame telehandlers.
Kalhagen says that Ideal Crane Rental has built a good market for rotating telehandlers in its territory and that the new Privilege Plus models offer significant improvements in features over their predecessors. “The comfort, speed, and productivity of the Manitou rotating telehandlers is great,” he said. “The previous generation introduced three years ago was a big step forward, and now this new generation is another leap.”
Kalhagen specially mentioned the comfort and spaciousness of the cab, the ability to slow down operating speed for precision control, and the ability to set operating parameters such as setting safety zones.
Ideal Crane Rental offers both bare and operated rentals, and Kalhagen says that experienced equipment operators can run a Manitou rotating telehandler comfortably with about two hours of training.
As for Ideal Crane Rental’s purchase of the four MT Premiere fixed-frame telehandlers, Kalhagen says that their 9,000-lb. capacity and compact size fit into a popular category among rental customers, that they have excellent features, and that the Manitou cab is spacious and comfortable.
Lift & Access is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
