Versatile and transportable, the ULM (Ultra Light Manitou) is set to achieve very good things in a small package. Professional Builder’s Lee Jones finds out more.
In every class of machinery the market for compact solutions is increasing exponentially, and that’s certainly the case in telehandlers. With its ULM concept, Manitou has ambitions to be the leading player in the sector, and its new machines feature a host of features designed to win over owner/operators.
Elsewhere in the company’s range telehandlers are designated with the prefix MT (Manitou Telescopic) for construction and MLT (Manitou Loader Telescopic) for agriculture, further distinguished by a red boom for the former and black for the latter. The ULM is by contrast a tool that transcends those classifications and will be pitched at farming, the building industry and landscapers. Occupying those diverse working worlds demands versatility and that’s achieved not just through the performance and functionality of the machine, but with a comprehensive attachments portfolio, beginning with buckets, but also including forks, augers, bag handlers, and a jib.
Central to the ULM concept is the machine’s transportability, and that’s why it’s been designed to be light enough to be moved from site to site on a trailer with a 3.5tonne towing capacity van or pick-up. That makes it a viable ownership option for even some of the smallest contractors who might be currently relying on rental. At the same time this is a plant hire compatible telehandler that could easily be offered to contractors as part of a machine and trailer package.
The ULM is not one machine but a range, with two options available. Firstly, there is the 412H, featuring a 1,250kg capacity, complemented by the 415H with a 1,500kg capacity, and a transportable weight of 2,550kg and 2,900kg respectively. With brownfield developments now very much in vogue size matters, particularly in an urban setting and, for construction companies large or small, machinery that’s nimble enough to navigate a tight site is essential.
With a total weight of 2,550kg the end user can carry the 412H on a trailer – accompanied by a 150–200kg attachment – and comfortably remain within a 3,500kg towing limit. The 1,500kg capacity 415H has a 2,900kg without attachment, which means it too can be make use of trailer transport.
Thanks to a width of just 1.49m and a height of 1.92m this truly is a compact unit with dimensions that will facilitate navigation through garage or double doors. At the same time there’s a 4.30m lifting height, and a choice of two-wheel, four-wheel and crab steering, with a maximum speed of 25kph. Add to that a high ground clearance of 29cm – as well as a choice of tyres – and this is a machine that can easily traverse challenging ground conditions. Moreover, both the 412H and the 415H utilise a hydrostatic transmission and are powered by a 35hp Yanmar engine with Diesel Particalate Filter (DPF) but without the need for AdBlue.
A unit in the ultra-compact telehandler class might be new territory for Manitou but it is a model in the same mould as its larger siblings, with the robustness in boom, and 4-wheel drive rough terrain prowess for which the manufacturer is renowned. Heavy-duty axles are complemented by a characteristic U-shaped boom construction, for example, a design which affords the highest possible strength and resistance. In operation, the tipping angle of the bucket aids digging, whilst the hydraulic cylinder on the boom is well protected.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is of primary importance to the French material handling expert’s customers, and that’s why a number of innovations have been introduced to control costs. An anti-emulsion filter reduces the air in the hydraulic oil, for instance, which means less oil is required. In addition – and in a new development from Manitou – the ULM is the first machine to eliminate the use of a compensation cylinder. The boom features two cylinders for lifting and tilting, with an electronic compensation system that utilises sensors to measure the angle of the boom, and bucket. Not only does this reduce overall weight, and the amount of oil used, there’s fewer components, and the capacity of the hydraulic tank is reduced by around 25 per cent. Add to that a Stop & Start option that prevents unnecessary idling and you have a very economical solution.
In maintenance all filters are easily accessible, with easy refuelling of the 30litre fuel tank. Road lights and front mudguards are standard, whilst rear mudguards are an option and working lights can also be positioned on the cab – front and rear – as well as on the boom. At the driver’s seat creature comfort have not been neglected either. Operators can enter an air-conditioned space (available as option) through a wide opening door. Here, they can take control with a floating armrest-mounted Manitou JSM (Joystick Switch and Move) system which allows one hand on the steering wheel and one on the stick at all times.
Furthermore, an EN 15000 system avoids overloading of the machine, whilst there’s different modes for working with buckets and forks. An in-cab screen highlights issues with operation through pop-up messages, helping the driver to use the machine correctly. In a further driver-focused feature, a shock resistant and transparent polycarbonate panel above the seat enhances visibility without compromising the FOPS accredited strength of the cab.
Designed and built at the company’s Laille production plant, the ULM is a true multi-tasker that can take its telehandlers into hitherto uncharted territories, including the landscaping market. Indeed, its vital statistics and versatility should appeal to both plant hirers and contractors
For further information on the Manitou ULM visit https://www.manitou.com/en-GB#1
