JCB / Manitou

[Lewis]

Currently have a JCB 526/56 13 reg with the jcbT4-iiiB engine (no adblue) just crept over 7500hrs and in need of tyres soon, contemplating trading it in for something of a similar size physically and capacity wise. Either go again seen a few 526-56 jcbs newer with 2000/3000hr.

Or had a word with our Manitou dealer and he’s suggesting a 630 manitou would be a direct match to our current handler….. not knowing anything much about manitou except that they are French…. wise move or not?? main faults on these machines with a few thousand hours on and 5 yrs old ish.

 

[Lazy Eric]

Had both, would stick with jcb, just my opinion

 

[tr250]

We run a manitou 635 we have them for 3000 hrs and change them usually and the last 3 or 4 I don’t think we’ve had a warranty claim. We have a brilliant manitou dealer which helps but probably wouldn’t consider a jcb as I hear plenty of reliability issues

 

[Down farmer]

Had both, would stick with jcb, just my opinion

Had both here and certainly would prefer the red having a good dealer is v important

 

[Lewis]

@ACEngineering any particular year to avoid or engine/transmissions to steer clear of? What are the Adblue systems like?

 

[ACEngineering]

@ACEngineering any particular year to avoid or engine/transmissions to steer clear of? What are the Adblue systems like?

transmission options largely remained unchanged with manitou between 1999 to 2017, in about 2017 they added the option of V plus or vario/hydrostatic but the 4 speed manual and the 6 speed powershift still almost exactly the same as they have been since 1999! Note the MLT 840 and models built on that chassis design use a totally different powershift transmisson.

Assuming you are going reasonably new then most manitous have been deutz engines since 2015 with the exception of a few.

The Deutz fuel and adblue system is in my opinion far more reliable than JCB, jcb seem to often to have injector issues and adblue issues.

 

[Lewis]

Got this Manitou MLT630-105vario 19 plate on trial. Massive thanks to Robert Davies Machinery for the lend of the machine for a few days to see what we think of it.

So far quite impressed, though 24 inch wheels we’d prefer over the 20” it’s on.
I don’t think this one has boom suspension either which would be beneficial.
On the road it gets to 24mph and feels well planted and safe but lacks a bit of momentum when it’s going up hill, not too dissimilar to the current jcb though with its power shift. Maybe the power shift option in the manitou would have more puff on an incline so maybe be more suited to us.

Cab is massive on the manitou compared to the jcb and weirdly feel as though your sat closer to headstock over the front axle but I don’t think you are .

Got plenty of hydraulic power and engine grunt pushing into and stacking the muck heap and the parachute button is a handy feature when you go over the weight limit ,along with the hydraulic dump button on the mudguard for 3rd service .

pickup hitch seems to stick out a lot as if it was an afterthought and the steering seems quite stiff.

 

[Boysground]

Have 2x Manitou 635, usually run them around 6000 hours which is about 4 years. Reliability is much better with the 635 than the previous 634. The 2 we have have been really good other than the older one has had a persistent problem with the steering just creeping slightly off line. The auto handbrake can be frustrating. We only have the power shift gearbox, keeping it simple for a number of drivers

Had a jcb demo a few weeks ago and nobody liked driving it. Manitou joystick far superior to jcb. Manitou you feel like you are in the machine rather than sat on it. Really like the cutout in the floor makes getting in easier. The only thing that may have changed our minds is the 150hp engine on the jcb, but only because of the roadwork we do.

Decision made another 635 should be here in a couple of weeks.

Bg

 

[Rich_ard]

I'm looking for a budget loader. Fancying somthing like a 732. Anyone seen any for sale that's not on the usual websites? Other options also open to. Not wanting to spend too much either!

 

[Drillman]

Got this Manitou MLT630-105vario 19 plate on trial. Massive thanks to Robert Davies Machinery for the lend of the machine for a few days to see what we think of it.

So far quite impressed, though 24 inch wheels we’d prefer over the 20” it’s on.
I don’t think this one has boom suspension either which would be beneficial.
On the road it gets to 24mph and feels well planted and safe but lacks a bit of momentum when it’s going up hill, not too dissimilar to the current jcb though with its power shift. Maybe the power shift option in the manitou would have more puff on an incline so maybe be more suited to us.

Cab is massive on the manitou compared to the jcb and weirdly feel as though your sat closer to headstock over the front axle but I don’t think you are .

Got plenty of hydraulic power and engine grunt pushing into and stacking the muck heap and the parachute button is a handy feature when you go over the weight limit ,along with the hydraulic dump button on the mudguard for 3rd service .

pickup hitch seems to stick out a lot as if it was an afterthought and the steering seems quite stiff.

A strategically placed cable tie solves the lock out issue permanently.

 

[ploughman1963]

Got this Manitou MLT630-105vario 19 plate on trial. Massive thanks to Robert Davies Machinery for the lend of the machine for a few days to see what we think of it.

So far quite impressed, though 24 inch wheels we’d prefer over the 20” it’s on.
I don’t think this one has boom suspension either which would be beneficial.
On the road it gets to 24mph and feels well planted and safe but lacks a bit of momentum when it’s going up hill, not too dissimilar to the current jcb though with its power shift. Maybe the power shift option in the manitou would have more puff on an incline so maybe be more suited to us.

Cab is massive on the manitou compared to the jcb and weirdly feel as though your sat closer to headstock over the front axle but I don’t think you are .

Got plenty of hydraulic power and engine grunt pushing into and stacking the muck heap and the parachute button is a handy feature when you go over the weight limit ,along with the hydraulic dump button on the mudguard for 3rd service .

pickup hitch seems to stick out a lot as if it was an afterthought and the steering seems quite stiff.

Have run manitou for over 15 years now at the dairy unit - we do like them but main reason is the back up from Robert Davies which has always been faultless.

 

[M-J-G]

We have a 630 105 Manitou
It's a good machine to sit in and has done ok.
It did have an issue with the 90 degree drive, but the dealer is very good and sent us in a machine while it was being g repaired.

I would say it all about the dealer.

One thing that IA a problem since they have gone to 40k is that 4 gears isn't enough, so the vario style transmission may be a better option in future.

 

[goodevans]

Manitou electric window is pretty likely to save a top split door over its lifetime

 

[Drillman]

We have a 630 105 Manitou
It's a good machine to sit in and has done ok.
It did have an issue with the 90 degree drive, but the dealer is very good and sent us in a machine while it was being g repaired.

I would say it all about the dealer.

One thing that IA a problem since they have gone to 40k is that 4 gears isn't enough, so the vario style transmission may be a better option in future.

Yes they need an extra gear or 2 with the 40k versions. Its about the only gri-e with out 630-105

 

[Drillman]

Manitou electric window is pretty likely to save a top split door over its lifetime

leccy window is a brilliant feature I think.