Among new innovations from Manitou Group at this year’s bauma is the ULM/GCT range of ultra-compact telehandlers, designed to meet the demand for a versatile machine that is easy to use and transport.
This very lightweight telehandler range has a transportable weight of less than 3 t, which can be loaded onto a trailer with a PTAC of 3,500 kg. It features a width of just 1.49 m and a height of 1.92 m, with a lifting capacity of 1.25 t and 1.5 t – for a lifting height of 4.30 m.
Two versions are available for Manitou dealers – the ULM 412 H and ULM 415 H for Ultra Light Manitou – and also for Gehl distributors with the GCT 3-14 and GCT 3-14+ for Gehl Compact Telehandler.
Targeted at a number of sectors, such as construction, agriculture and landscaping, the ULM/GCT range is suitable for many applications, owing to a variety of attachments like forks carriage, pot clamp, branch cutter, Big Bag handler and snow blade. Excellent on rough-terrain, the range is equipped with an oscillating rear axle, various tyres and a high ground clearance of 29 cm.
Several innovative features help to reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) of the machine. According to Manitou, the Stop & Start option ensures a reduction of around €10 per hour idling of the machine’s TCO (reduced machine depreciation, fuel consumption and preventive maintenance). The capacity of the hydraulic tank is also reduced by around 25%, thanks to the presence of an anti-aeration filter.
The hydraulic compensator is replaced by an electronic compensation, allowing the compensating cylinder to be dispensed with, thereby minimising hydraulic oil requirements and reducing the weight of the machine. Removing the compensating cylinder also reduces the width of the truck, making it easier to move in tight spaces.
Maintenance can be optimised with facilitated access to the main components of the engine, thanks to the wide engine compartment opening. A hatch in front of the engine enables straw or dust near the radiators to be removed, and access to the fuel and hydraulic oil tanks is facilitated by their eye-level position. The Gehl and Manitou versions are connected as standard, and users can completely manage maintenance via their smartphone (with the MyManitou and MyGehl apps).
The cab can be accessed easily with no added step. Inside the cab, the operator has an unobstructed 360° view to work safely. The visibility improvements also apply to the operator’s lateral view. The side view is very clear due to the position of the hydraulic hoses inside the boom and the engine cover positioned low down to the right of the operator.
For prolonged driving comfort, Manitou has introduced an automatic parking brake and offers three steering modes: two-wheel steering for travelling at high speeds; four-wheel steering for manoeuvring in tight spaces; and crab mode for lateral manoeuvres.
Powered by a 35 hp engine, this ultra-compact telehandler range provides a maximum hydraulic flow of 48 l/min. It is also equipped with a flow sharing distributor, allowing several hydraulic movements to be carried out at the same time.
The ULM/GCT range is available globally. Manitou said the first deliveries will take place from the third quarter of 2022 in Europe, North America and Australia.
AL/MLA articulated loaders
With 12 new models, Manitou has extended its range of articulated loaders, which now comprises 22 models in total – all available under the Gehl AL (Articulated Loader) and Manitou MLA (Manitou Loader Articulated) brands.
These new machines offer a load capacity ranging from 700 kg to 1.5 t for a lifting height of between 2.50 m (for a short arm) and 3.07 m (for a long arm). In order to deliver a level of performance adapted to each model, series 2 and 3 models are powered by a 25 hp stage V engine, and series 4 and 5 with 48 hp.
The complete range makes it possible to respond to wide-ranging demands, with the largest of the articulated loaders providing a nominal load capacity of up to 3.3 t. This depth of range is aimed at many applications thanks to a wide selection of attachments comprising more than 100 products, such as buckets, forks and bale clamps, as well as levellers and augers.
The AL/MLA range can be used in different sectors, including construction (with specifically designed models, AL 320/MLA 3-25 H-C and AL 420/MLA 4-50 H-C for ‘Construction’). All machines are equipped with hydrostatic transmission for enhanced performance. The Manitou MLA 2-25H and Gehl AL 230 models have a hydraulic motor on each wheel to make them even more manoeuvrable in any environment.
Manitou has designed the new machines to be more ergonomic and even more slim-line than previous ones. The engine hoods have been shortened and the engine positioned lengthwise to the chassis to reduce the size of series 3 and 4 models. The minimum width is 1.10 m. The chassis has also been revised to reduce the length of the machines. The low height of between 2.14 m and 2.29 m for the biggest models allows them to be manoeuvred easily in tight spaces.
To facilitate the movement of the loaders between various jobsites, certain models are transportable on a 3,500 kg PTAC trailer, which can be used with a basic BE license. The weight ranges from 1.5 t for series 2 to 2.6 t for series 5 models. This advantage allows Manitou to adapt to the constraints of rental companies and tradespeople, who have to move their handling equipment frequently within a short time frame.
Like all machines from Manitou, the AL/MLA articulated loaders are connected, sending information directly on the MyGehl and MyManitou smartphone applications. Thanks to the EasyManager solution (web portal and mobile app), fleet managers can remotely monitor the activity of every machine and thereby optimise their fleet management.
Maintenance operations can be carried out easily, with access to the engine and battery at the rear of the machine. This simplified maintenance enables users to reduce their TCO.
Bauma booth: FS.908/1
