Manitou attached the ‘NewAg’ tag to its telehandlers in 2016 to outline developments to include a higher specification cab, operator aids to improve ease of use and performance with detail changes to make machine maintenance easier. At the same time, the company also sought to rationalise its product offering, limiting the number of model variations heading down the production line. This meant customers wanting a powershift transmission MLT741 were out of luck. To cater for their needs, dealers would have pointed them toward the identically sized MLT737-130 PS+, albeit with 10hp less power at 130hp and 150l/min as opposed to 170l/min hydraulics. If this lacked capacity, the alternative would be to step up to the larger MLT840-145 PS+ with 140hp and 200l/min hydraulics.
Although this helped ensure Manitou users in the ‘powershift’ camp did have an alternative to the ‘hydro’ MLT741-140 V+, the handler maker did recognise there was a demand for a powershift 741. To meet this, the MLT741-130 PS+ was made available from mid-2021. This model is based upon the MLT737-130PS+ but with a larger rear counterweight and the increased diameter lift ram taken from the 741. This was not a new idea; the previous generation MLT741-120 was subject the same ‘upgrades’ to up its capacity over the MLT735-120 (see profi 10/14).
In outline, the MLT741-140 V+ launched in 2016 was offered with:
● 136hp Stage IV Deutz four-cylinder engine DOC and SCR exhaust treatment.
● 170l/min hydraulics.
● V+ hydrostatic stepless by ZF transmission featuring a single Rexroth pump powering a sealed gearbox with two internal radial piston motors. Speed range 0-40km/hr.
● Classic, Premium and Elite specification choices, with the latter accounting for around 90% plus of UK sales.
● Michelin XMCL tyres standard initially but subsequently varied due to supply problems.
● Regenerative hydraulics, where boom lowers under
