Manitou Group launched a new line of telehandlers dedicated to the North American market, at ConExpo-Con/Agg, the largest construction event in the United States.
One year after announcing a massive $74 million investment plan to expand and modernize its U.S. production facilities and develop innovative product lines, Manitou Group presented a brand new range of telehandlers, specifically designed for the North American market and assembled in Yankton (South Dakota), was also presented on the Group’s booth.
Telehandlers Made in the U.S.A.
For this new range of telehandlers for the North American market, Manitou Group offers seven models, available under the Manitou (MTA range) and Gehl (TH range) brands. Manufactured at the Yankton facility in South Dakota, the new telehandler series is designed to meet the needs of the construction and rental markets in North America. This range offers a lifting height of 43’ to 56’, and lifting capacities of 6,000 to 12,000 lbs.
The new design also offers improved visibility, enhanced comfort and performance, and a lower total cost of ownership.
"We have done a great deal of work on the comfort and performance of this new range. The new load-sensing hydraulic system improves smoothness and accuracy, and the combined hydraulic movements provide greater efficiency for increased productivity, said Steve Kiskunas, U.S. telehandler product line manager. “The new transmission’s automatic mode offers greater flexibility and optimum torque with less operator fatigue, with the option to switch to standard powershift transmission at any time.”
Manitou Group has also worked on reducing TCO with more robust components for better residual value. Design innovations have also been introduced, including easier access to the engine, reducing preventive maintenance costs by 8.7% compared to the previous range.
Lift Trucks Target Rental Market
To meet the demands of North American rental companies, Manitou Group has also upgraded its range of heavy-duty rough-terrain lift trucks. Equipped with a 45-degree tilting mast, the lift trucks can be easily transported on trucks in North America without the problem of getting under bridges where the clearance height is often reduced compared to European infrastructures.
This sliding mast also gives the operator greater visibility. The M 40 model, presented at ConExpo/ConAgg, has a load capacity of 8,800 lbs., for two lifting heights of 22’ with the triplex mast version, and 15’ with the duplex mast version. This range is particularly suited to residential construction, public works or road infrastructures, as well as container handling in port areas.
New Electric Platforms
Manitou continues to roll out its “Oxygen” low emissions range. The ATJ 60e all-terrain aerial platform (200 ATJe in Europe), with a working height of 66 feet, is now available in a four-wheel-steered version for greater maneuverability and a basket that can now accept 550 lbs of full load, 66 lbs. more than the two-wheel-steered version. The TCO is reduced with an almost 50% decrease in maintenance costs compared to the internal combustion version.
“ConExpo is a great opportunity to present new electric solutions. This continues the expansion of our US-bound aerial platform line, initiated in 2019. With 14 models now on offer, we are strengthening our position in a market with very high potential for Manitou Group,” said Arnaud Boyer, Manitou VP marketing and product development. We will continue to extend electrification to other ranges in accordance with the objectives of our CSR roadmap”.
A new ATJ 46e model is also added to this range of all-terrain electric telescopic articulated platforms. With a working height of 52’, this model has a basket with a full load capacity of 551 lbs. A second version, the ATJ 46+e, is also available on the North American market, significantly increasing the capacity up to 882 lbs.
An extended range solution known as “E-Xtra generator” was also exhibited at ConExpo/ConAgg. The removable generator works with all the platforms in the range and delivers up to one week of autonomy.