by Nick Drew | Wed 27 Apr 2022
A French Revolution!
Back in those days the machines of choice for that business were the British built Sanderson SB55 and SB75’s which in those days were fitted with Wimpey’s patented scissor action forward extension system, which in its day was considered cutting edge in material handling! In addition, the company also took delivery of some of the first two-wheel drive examples of JCB’s 520 Loadall telescopic handler.
I had also spent a period of time at the controls of a 4-wheel-drive Manitou MB25, memories of a venerable and powerful machine with a very distinctive engine tone springs to mind. One two-wheel drive version of that model is preserved in the workshop area at Manitou UK’s headquarters in Verwood, Dorset where I had been invited to take a look around the latest the MRT (Manitou Rotary Telehandler) range.
Incredibly, Manitou launched their first MRT model as far back as 1993, with the introduction of the MRT1540. This was followed up by the second generation in 2001 with the MRT2145 M-Series. In 2007 the manufacturer launched the MRT Privilege range with lifts heights now nudging the 25m mark.
Further development continued in 2016 with the launch of the MRT Privilege Plus range, that range expanded 2 years later with the addition of a new 7000kg capacity model the MRT2470, which was to become Manitou’s first 7-tonne capacity machine.
In July last year, as reported in that month’s edition of Earthmovers, the company revealed the latest reincarnation of the product, the all new MRT Vision and Vision + range, featuring Stage 5 emissions-compliant engines, upgraded hydraulic pumps and an incredible new cab design which is sure to offer unrivalled comfort and visibility.
The Vision range comprises of four models with a maximum lift capacity of 4.5-tonne, starting with the MRT 1645 and rounding off with the MRT 2545, with maximum lift heights ranging from 15.9m up to 24.6m, with maximum reach at full extension ranging from 13.4m to 19.4m.
The larger Vision + range consists of five models, with three of them offering a maximum lift capacity of 6000kgs, with the top end two machines offering a lifting capacity of 7000kgs. Maximum lift heights on the Vison + models range from 21.8m on the MRT 2260, up to 34.7m on the top of the range MRT 3570 model. Maximum reach on these machine’s ranges from 18.2m to 28m.
It proved to be a really interesting day for me personally and it was great to see how far these products have evolved to this day, especially as they are something I rarely get involved with nowadays. I'm sure this won't be may last visit to Manitou either. You can read my full report on this in the April 2022 edition of Earthmovers Magazine if you would like to find out more.
Jim Hulme who is the Sales Support Manager for Manitou UK was my host for the day, and features in our walkaround video below.