Manitou 524 vs JCB 520-50

[Dxflyer]

Considering buying a first handler. I have a small holding with relatively restrictive size housing so am restricted in the size of the handler. Initially had thought about a rough terrian forklift with container mast but most seem about 40+ years old and next step up the ladder was moving up 20 years to a mlt524 or jcb520-50. Next step moving up another 10 years is getting too expensive for the need I want it for which is loading unloading meal and moving round bales.

Would appreciate any information/advice on either machine or what to specifically to look out for. I am more tempted with the JCB however entry/exit from the cab seems an issue but I am told you get used to it. Still seems restrictive having sat in a couple already

Genuinely would appreciate any constructive help you can offer.

 

[Pistonbroke]

If you are getting in and out opening gates and feeding the jcb will start to get really tiresome. Probably out of budget but jcb 524 50 brilliant for jumping in and out

 

[Pistonbroke]

Forgot to say though, 520 50 sounds very reliable and cheap to run and you can always get jcb parts when Manitou can be hard to get some older bits

 

[Skintagain]

You are half way between skid steer and telehandler territory. This is very expensive territory as a lot of people are in the same boat.

 

[Drillman]

Manitou 524 every time

biggest issue nowadays is finding one.

 

[Courier]

Probably a bit too new but certainly handy to use

https://classified.fwi.co.uk/details/Telehandler/Merlo-P276-PLUS-TELEHANDLER/5503007/

 

[Sparkplug]

Considering buying a first handler. I have a small holding with relatively restrictive size housing so am restricted in the size of the handler. Initially had thought about a rough terrian forklift with container mast but most seem about 40+ years old and next step up the ladder was moving up 20 years to a mlt524 or jcb520-50. Next step moving up another 10 years is getting too expensive for the need I want it for which is loading unloading meal and moving round bales.

Would appreciate any information/advice on either machine or what to specifically to look out for. I am more tempted with the JCB however entry/exit from the cab seems an issue but I am told you get used to it. Still seems restrictive having sat in a couple already

Genuinely would appreciate any constructive help you can offer.

What ground conditions are you spending most of your time on - is it mainly yard work with field work in the Summer?

 

[Sparkplug]

Is the Meal a bucket job or pallets - what attachments will you need?

 

[Dxflyer]

Firstly thanks Courier for the suggestion but i'll be honest a lot more than I am going to spend.

As for the ground conditions on the farm really dry (too dry come June/July). However I see the machine being used more in and around the yard for most of the time. I think pallet forks are the most useful attachment to move meal bought in tote bags and transferring them into a small meal bin. Currently use a JCB 3C which doesnt really lift it high enough and is too big to be of any real use in some of the housing.

I also see a job in the summer with lifting bales onto a bale trailer would mean I can free up a tractor and add a second bale trailer as there is a bit of distance between silage ground and the yard which could speed things up.

 

[ACEngineering]

Probably a bit too new but certainly handy to use

https://classified.fwi.co.uk/details/Telehandler/Merlo-P276-PLUS-TELEHANDLER/5503007/

I would avoid anything used on solids, normally been in recycling yard. This ones green though so I'd avoid it regardless as you all know my love of green

 

[Sparkplug]

As said above, Compact Machines of all makes are a crazy price new, and a lot of used are exported, so we have the current position where there is a shortage of machines of this type and what is available are selling for unbelievable values, some 50% more than true value for there age, condition. Not sure what has driven the prices to these values except supply and demand, and possibly Brexit where overseas buyers are making decisions before the 1 st Jan.

 

[Skintagain]

I think you might be better with a skid steer. Can feed stock with it. And can Muck our into yard then scoop up with old 3c

 

[Planttech]

Probably a bit too new but certainly handy to use

https://classified.fwi.co.uk/details/Telehandler/Merlo-P276-PLUS-TELEHANDLER/5503007/

They are amazing bombproof