Looking to buy my first telehandler for our dairy farm budget around 20k are these machines any good what should I look out for on a 5000 hour machine? Seen a merlo 32.6 same sort of age hours and price or jcb 526 older similar price and hours haven't a clue which is best. Would only be doing 500 hours a year. Would appreciate any thoughts and opinions thanks
Manitou 627
- Thread starter Thistle
- Start date
I'd rather have the Merlo, personally. The 627's footprint is barely any smaller than the 634 and by all accounts it's gutless in comparison.
We have a 634 and it's flippin' brilliant. But having driven a merlo 32.6 I know if i was going smaller on power I'd want the smaller body of the merlo to match, as well.
Having just done the sums and pondering a few months ago before we got our 4k hour 634, I would be willing to bet you can find a tidier Merlo than JCB for your budget. Just buy something as new as you can afford, that's been well looked after, and put some more cash in if you need to
We have a 634 and it's flippin' brilliant. But having driven a merlo 32.6 I know if i was going smaller on power I'd want the smaller body of the merlo to match, as well.
Having just done the sums and pondering a few months ago before we got our 4k hour 634, I would be willing to bet you can find a tidier Merlo than JCB for your budget. Just buy something as new as you can afford, that's been well looked after, and put some more cash in if you need to
SilliamWhale
Member
I have a 627 and there's nothing wrong with it and it can do all farm jobs needed
But I agree a 634 is much more machine
But I agree a 634 is much more machine
SilliamWhale
Member
Can't say its unreliable. Obviously there was big issue with the engine timing cover but beyond that its pretty basic - pipes can go, alternators can go etc. none of which is Manitou specific
ACEngineering
Member
- Location
- Oxon
Depending on age theres 2 big issues both can be permanently cured.
2008 machines onwards with the twin hyd pump cracks the timing case this i replace with a steel timing cast not the standard aluminium case, parts for this cost just over £500ish plus another £70 for an upgraded pump support bracket if needed which is manitous so called fix that isnt really a fix it just helps the standard case last a little longer.
The other issue is the engine mounts at front of engine or back of machine if you like. There are 2 styles used and in my opinion the upgraded mounts are worse than the first! To cure this you just make some extra little brackets up to weld on the side of originals so it picks up on all available bolt holes in the engine block.
Sadly the first most people know about it is the bolts shear off and smashes the fan blades which only come as part of a kit at near £500.
Every thing else is no different to any other machine really they all break down. Main thing is to keep the rads spotless.
You could look at a mlt 629 which is same machine but different engine. Both are discontinued now replaced by the MLT 630-105
Not sure what the problem was but 2010/11 with Air Con in front of radiator (rather than on back of cab roof) were troublesome - it may have been connected with the engine build - @ace will clarify or just the fact that they overheated easy which lead to engine failure, so buy one with Air con on the back of cab roof was what I was told, and keep radiator spotlessly clean.
ACEngineering
Member
- Location
- Oxon
All 627 had aircon in front of the rad. only put aircon on the roof for the MLT 629 which replaced it I think.
Aircon makes the rads block easier and harder to clean, there's also a strip of rubber under the rad so the crap builds up in the bottom of the rad I chuck that strip of rubber away so the crap can fall out the bottom which I think helps a little? I can see why manitou put it there cause it would stop any hot air being drawn off the engine back under the rad but I still think it works better with out it.
Same here. 55 plate followed by a 13 & both been pretty much trouble free other than boom wear plates coming out of place on newer one while still under warranty.
On 24" tyres same height & length as a 634 but it is narrower should you have tight doorways.
Bigger machine no doubt nicer but 627 does all we need. Loads lorries with 1.7t wheat per bucket & empties 4x600kg bags at a time. Stacks round bales 5 high & mucks out cattle courts faster than trailers can get back without any issues.
ACEngineering
Member
- Location
- Oxon
that's an old model isn't it? bit longer and wider but not a lot in it. if its newer ( although I not sure they made them for a good while now?) 2010 onwards would have a slightly wider axle than the earlier models. so yeah after 2010 its quite a lot wide than a 627
The one I've seen is 2007 not to bothered about age more hours and condition.
ACEngineering
Member
- Location
- Oxon
Make sure its a 120 hp then cause alot of the 731 were just 105. Not that theres anything wrong with 105 imo cause they didnt have the ecu to control pump flow due to a slightly smaller piston pump.
Is the 120 in the model number not the hp? Don't really need much power not pulling or doing clamp work or even road work just loading around yards and buildings.
ACEngineering
Member
- Location
- Oxon
GeorgeK
Member
- Location
- Leicestershire
Whichever you choose, a tip we had is to put a bucket on the front and a block under the PUH and raise all the wheels off the ground to check for play in the kingpins, steering etc. We have a 2002 627, yes it's gutless and worn out but keeps going and does everything we need it to