FRENCH agri-handler manufacturer, Manitou, doesn't launch totally new kit very often, but when it does, it does it in some style.

The company has a reputation for manufacturing sound machines capable of handling the rough and the smooth of farming across the world, and any new machine is a 'big thing' for the business.

Under the label NewAg, it's all-new range of telescopic handlers provides an across the board launch, with nine fresh models featuring new chassis, engines and transmissions, but most of all a high comfort cab. It is significant enough for the company to invite more than 600 to the launch in Sardinia recently to see the machines in the flesh.

Manitou's MLT handlers have undergone a transformation not just at the hands of the heavy metal engineers, but also the stylists and the tecchies. So much is new, that there are eight patented designs in the new range, which has been on the design board for the past three years.

Wim Roose, the agricultural market product manager, summed it up: "It's all about comfort first in the NewAg handlers. We used a user centre concept on a lot of all our designs criteria and instead of technology-led design, we adopted simple intuitive controls.

"For instance, out new curved floor architecture gives much better access to the cab and that's important because farmers can be in and out of the cab many times in their working day."

That also the reason why the new cab has sound proofing to car-like levels and has much improved all-round visibility, especially from a new curved front windscreen design.

Seating is courtesy of a high quality Grammer seat and all of the main controls are on Manitou's well proven and re-defined JSM (joystick switch and move) which is firmly planted on an unattached armrest to the right of the driver.

A novel idea too, is the offer double switch buttons (DSB), whereby the operator can choose whether some of the function buttons are placed on the armrest or on the dashboard for ease of use.

On the mechanical side, power comes from a 3.6-litre Deutz engine which is tweaked to three power levels, between 101 and 136hp and Final Tier 4 emission compliant. Utilising that power can be done via four transmission choices which are available depending on the model.

A straightforward four-gear powershuttle is available on the 101hp MLT 630-105 and MLT 733-105 models, with the former having a lifting height of 6m and a load capacity of three tonnes, while the latter will take things to 6.9m and up to 3.3 tonnes. Both have a hydraulic pump rated at 104 l/min, with respective top speeds of 40 kmh and 32 kmh.

Next size up will be the MLT 635-130 PS+ and the MLT 737-130 PS+ models, which comes with 130hp and 150 l/min oil pumps. These are rated at lifting 3.5 and 3.7 tonnes to 6.08 and 6.9m, respectively. The PS+ designation stands for Powershift Plus transmission, which has six forward gears and three for reverse with either the operator choosing the gearing through the joystick or opting for a fully automatic function via the double-switch buttons.

The expected big seller in Scotland is expected to be the MLT 630-105 and these will also have a V CP designation, which means they're fitted with what Manitou calls the M-Varioshift transmission. This is a two-speed hydrostatic gearbox, with the first gear giving seemless drive between 0-18kmh for 'in work' mode, while the second gear is really for transport, between 0 and 40kmh.

A first for Manitou is the use of a full-on continuously variable transmission (CVT) which will be on the pricey end of the spectrum and is aimed at users with high transport needs.

Called the M-Vario Plus this ZF-sourced unit has one gear between 0-40 kmh, but provides optimal torque at low and high speeds. This is available on the MLT 635-140, MLT 741-140 and the MLT 940-140.

These all have the top rated 136hp available and will lift from between 6.0m to 9m, with lift capacities of 3.5, 4.1 and 3.9 tonnes, respectively. All have 170 l/min hydraulic power.

Also built in to the NewAg models are features aimed at reducing operating costs. Various 'Eco' modes are available in the transmissions and service intervals have been extended considerably, including a doubling of the hydraulic oil 'life' from 1000 to 2000 hours and the four main greasing points are centrally located and easier to get to.

A reversing fan is also standard on all models (except the 733) to maximise cooling. There's also a comprehensive package of lighting options available, using LEDs for maximum coverage.

PANEL

MANITOU'S CEO Michel Denis has promised the company will absorb 'most of the costs' of the falling value of sterling, which was a result of the UK's decision to leave the EU.

Mr Denis reiterated that the UK remained a solid market for the company's products. "NewAg handlers are a major breakthrough for us and we see the 630 models specially as an ideal UK machine and we have great customer and dealer loyalty in the UK.

"The 20% swing in sterling is disappointing for us but won't sway us from our long-term strategy," he told The SF. "We will be liaising with UK dealers and some of our suppliers in the UK so that we can make some savings, but it remains our intention to grow market share and better volumes, with keener pricing can help offset the currency fluctuations."

He did not rule out a UK price increase, but predicted it would be 'minimal' and not in line with the fall in the value of the £. "The telehandler market worldwide is still growing and many farmers now use them for more hours than they do a tractor. They have become and everyday machine farmers and last year our sales were up 6%," he added.