Manitou MLA 533 vs JCB320s

[Tullyvernon]

In the market for a pivot steer telehandler and the only obvious options I can think of are 310/320s or the new MLA 533

Won't be doing much if any buckraking, the main duties will be filling a diet feeder and stacking/feeding bales etc. As well as general yard work. The machine won't be doing massive hours so needing something to be reliable well outside of warranty.

I'm noticing a number of JCB's being traded for other makes more commonly manitou (fixed chasisy machines) is reliability an issue in modern machines?

 

[TheEarlOfMoray]

Had a demo of the manitou a couple of years ago when we were changing our 310. Was ok but because it was new on the market I thought it would need to be considerably cheaper than the jcb. Ended up more expensive when getting quotes so bought a 320s. JCB seems better built

 

[Timbo]

Had a demo of the manitou a couple of years ago when we were changing our 310. Was ok but because it was new on the market I thought it would need to be considerably cheaper than the jcb. Ended up more expensive when getting quotes so bought a 320s. JCB seems better built

I understand the pivot TM JCB's are made on the industrial shovel line in another location to the rigids, which must be why they are better built compared to the rigids, which are literally thrown together.

 

[Down farmer]

In the market for a pivot steer telehandler and the only obvious options I can think of are 310/320s or the new MLA 533

Won't be doing much if any buckraking, the main duties will be filling a diet feeder and stacking/feeding bales etc. As well as general yard work. The machine won't be doing massive hours so needing something to be reliable well outside of warranty.

I'm noticing a number of JCB's being traded for other makes more commonly manitou (fixed chasisy machines) is reliability an issue in modern machines?

Have a new model manitou 533 with vario transmission for over a year now . Lovely transmission to drive on loader work as is so smooth,being same speed in reverse as forward it does not require high revs when shuttling back and forth does climb silo equally as well as my previous jcb .Doesnt freewheel when foot is taken of throttle which I now like but did take a while to get used to . Has a very good heater /AC system which is digital/automated far nicer on road than jcb as no gear change surges (either up or down 40K) but wouldn’t be as good for towing at high speed as jcb. Cab vision is much superior to jcb as has plenty of glass and 2 full usable doors . Reliability so far 600hrs has been good (only a sensor) has been changed ,paintwork is definitely much superior (at the moment) .Neighbouring 533 is almost two years old and replaced a jcb , has done v well(1500 hrs / year) with only sensor niggles he too is v pleased with vario gearbox