Kramer or new model JCB telehandler.

[ACEngineering]

Yes they have been about a fair while but they have not got that many out there Class look how many different types they have tried to sell they move on and the customer is left with no back up
Its going the same way with JD look at there dealers how many different types of loader some have had JD,JCB, Manitou, Merlo, Kramer, all in about 10 / 15 years
Your local JD is about the same
So you buy a Kramer and then all change were do you go at least JCB are in this country and some one to speak to for help.
I am not saying JCB is the best far from it

Class JD and Kramer wont be going anywhere. BUT you are right. With a JCB or a Manitou there are more options for support afterwards.
Theres lots more people about dealers and independents that know how to fix them and there more used / aftermarket and new parts stock available in dealers/independents stock compared to other brands.

Theres nothing much between JCB and manitou really but my choice would be a manitou as it's what I prefer.

 

[Jim75]

Class JD and Kramer wont be going anywhere. BUT you are right. With a JCB or a Manitou there are more options for support afterwards.
Theres lots more people about dealers and independents that know how to fix them and there more used / aftermarket and new parts stock available in dealers/independents stock compared to other brands.

Theres nothing much between JCB and manitou really but my choice would be a manitou as it's what I prefer.

You prefer them because you repair them sorry I’m done for today.

 

[db9go]

Class JD and Kramer wont be going anywhere. BUT you are right. With a JCB or a Manitou there are more options for support afterwards.
Theres lots more people about dealers and independents that know how to fix them and there more used / aftermarket and new parts stock available in dealers/independents stock compared to other brands.

Theres nothing much between JCB and manitou really but my choice would be a manitou as it's what I prefer.

That is what i am trying to say they are all good machines or they would have gone out of business long ago but the back up is getting harder as the machines get more complicated with electronics

 

[ACEngineering]

You prefer them because you repair them sorry I’m done for today.

But if I didnt like them I wouldnt fix them same as I hate merlo so I simply will NOT work on them.

I'll do a bit on jcb if I have too, fine on 1990 onwards Sanderson and matbros.

That's what I try and stick to but I do the odd digger or something else now and then but I draw the line at merlo.

 

[ACEngineering]

That is what i am trying to say they are all good machines or they would have gone out of business long ago but the back up is getting harder as the machines get more complicated with electronics

100% too complicated now. But that's same for every machine its progress

 

[Jim75]

But if I didnt like them I wouldnt fix them same as I hate merlo so I simply will NOT work on them.

I'll do a bit on jcb if I have too, fine on 1990 onwards Sanderson and matbros.

That's what I try and stick to but I do the odd digger or something else now and then but I draw the line at merlo.

I just have a natural disliking for our 735 at the minute. It’s heading off to be replaced by a jcb soon and counting down the days. The handbrake seems to be a never ending battle, don’t trust it at all.

 

[ACEngineering]

I just have a natural disliking for our 735 at the minute. It’s heading off to be replaced by a jcb soon and counting down the days. The handbrake seems to be a never ending battle, don’t trust it at all.

handbrake is an easy fix. Take it off. Put the hollow dowels in a lathe or grind them down so they are a nice rattle fit in the brake caliper. That way they rattle around and dont seize up. Then just adjust as normal.

 

[Jim75]

handbrake is an easy fix. Take it off. Put the hollow dowels in a lathe or grind them down so they are a nice rattle fit in the brake caliper. That way they rattle around and dont seize up. Then just adjust as normal.

That’s the tip of the iceberg, not safe with a handbrake that randomly holds. Went through a spell of quite a few electrical gremlins. Should’ve been sold a yr ago. Cost £18/hr just in repairs the last yr. Call it the part timer as it doesn’t do weekends

 

[startinghandle]

But if I didnt like them I wouldnt fix them same as I hate merlo so I simply will NOT work on them.

I'll do a bit on jcb if I have too, fine on 1990 onwards Sanderson and matbros.

That's what I try and stick to but I do the odd digger or something else now and then but I draw the line at merlo.

What's the problem with merlo?
There is a fairly local 2500 acre farm
spread over several intensive units that have a fleet of heavy used merlos
and in a newsletter from the dealer which is RVW Pugh the farmer was praising the quality of his merlos
Also I must not fall out with AC Engineering as I am looking at buying a secondhand loader and the only machines I have used are 2 pivot steer
Matbros , the first had the torque flight transmission which failed and I
Overhauled.. the chances of finding a
Pivot steer matbro which is not worn out are slim so I will look for manitou so I would like to know what to look out for.. I am prepared to tackle any repairs including structural welding

 

[vantage]

What's the problem with merlo?
There is a fairly local 2500 acre farm
spread over several intensive units that have a fleet of heavy used merlos
and in a newsletter from the dealer which is RVW Pugh the farmer was praising the quality of his merlos
Also I must not fall out with AC Engineering as I am looking at buying a secondhand loader and the only machines I have used are 2 pivot steer
Matbros , the first had the torque flight transmission which failed and I
Overhauled.. the chances of finding a
Pivot steer matbro which is not worn out are slim so I will look for manitou so I would like to know what to look out for.. I am prepared to tackle any repairs including structural welding

Does said farm have an investment in RVW Pugh by any chance?

 

[Lazy Eric]

Class JD and Kramer wont be going anywhere. BUT you are right. With a JCB or a Manitou there are more options for support afterwards.
Theres lots more people about dealers and independents that know how to fix them and there more used / aftermarket and new parts stock available in dealers/independents stock compared to other brands.

Theres nothing much between JCB and manitou really but my choice would be a manitou as it's what I prefer.

Yeah I also think that if you stick to the 2 big names in telehandlers you won’t go far wrong.

 

[startinghandle]

Does said farm have an investment in RVW Pugh by any chance?

I have heard that

 

[Renaultman]

What's the problem with merlo?
There is a fairly local 2500 acre farm
spread over several intensive units that have a fleet of heavy used merlos
and in a newsletter from the dealer which is RVW Pugh the farmer was praising the quality of his merlos
Also I must not fall out with AC Engineering as I am looking at buying a secondhand loader and the only machines I have used are 2 pivot steer
Matbros , the first had the torque flight transmission which failed and I
Overhauled.. the chances of finding a
Pivot steer matbro which is not worn out are slim so I will look for manitou so I would like to know what to look out for.. I am prepared to tackle any repairs including structural welding

I asked @ACEngineering what to look out for when I went to buy a manitou artic must say I wasn't expecting the detailed and comprehensive checklist I received, it was a massive help in our purchase.

 

[ACEngineering]

What's the problem with merlo?
There is a fairly local 2500 acre farm
spread over several intensive units that have a fleet of heavy used merlos
and in a newsletter from the dealer which is RVW Pugh the farmer was praising the quality of his merlos
Also I must not fall out with AC Engineering as I am looking at buying a secondhand loader and the only machines I have used are 2 pivot steer
Matbros , the first had the torque flight transmission which failed and I
Overhauled.. the chances of finding a
Pivot steer matbro which is not worn out are slim so I will look for manitou so I would like to know what to look out for.. I am prepared to tackle any repairs including structural welding

I have worked on a few in the past and given them a chance but i just do not like them at all.

You shouldn't assume a pivot manitou will be any better condition than a older matbro IMO! pivots generally get a hard life with there first owners and second! almost all will go to livestock and dairy farms or contractors.

Even the youngest MLA 628 will be oct 2009! dont even think about a MLA 630 they will be a nightmare in 3 years time. (there already difficult to get some parts or not available, so in 3 years it will be 10 years out of production as thats about when Manitou pulled the plug on it. Manufactures dont have to support a machine once its 10 years out of production)

 

[ACEngineering]

I asked @ACEngineering what to look out for when I went to buy a manitou artic must say I wasn't expecting the detailed and comprehensive checklist I received, it was a massive help in our purchase.

did you buy it or did i scare you off!

 

[Renaultman]

did you buy it or did i scare you off!

Bought it.

 

[lloyd]

I have worked on a few in the past and given them a chance but i just do not like them at all.

You shouldn't assume a pivot manitou will be any better condition than a older matbro IMO! pivots generally get a hard life with there first owners and second! almost all will go to livestock and dairy farms or contractors.

Even the youngest MLA 628 will be oct 2009! dont even think about a MLA 630 they will be a nightmare in 3 years time. (there already difficult to get some parts or not available, so in 3 years it will be 10 years out of production as thats about when Manitou pulled the plug on it. Manufactures dont have to support a machine once its 10 years out of production)

So which Newish models of Manitou gets your thumbs up?

 

[ACEngineering]

So which Newish models of Manitou gets your thumbs up?

MLT 635 and 737 with the old powershift 6 speed. Not convinced by this v plus transmission yet and stupidly they only offering the MLT 742 with the v plus. I also like the MLT 845's although not sure they still making them IMO???

 

[ACEngineering]

So which Newish models of Manitou gets your thumbs up?

oh sorry newish models, though you meant brand new machines! so MLT 634, 735 and 741 from 2008 up to 2016ish before they changed the cabs, either 4 speed manual or 6 speed powershift box is fine.

 

[lloyd]

MLT 635 and 737 with the old powershift 6 speed. Not convinced by this v plus transmission yet and stupidly they only offering the MLT 742 with the v plus. I also like the MLT 845's although not sure they still making them IMO???

What dont you like about the vario transmission?