The Ultra Light Manitou (ULM) proves that the best things really do come in small packages
Easy to use and transport between two worksites – the Manitou Group ULM is the manufacturer’s most compact telehandler solution to date, and its versatility will see it effortlessly slot into service in a number of different sectors. In particular, Manitou Group has designed a machine that will meet the needs of users who want a multi-tasking unit that’s straightforward to use and move between worksites.
Within the Ultra Light Manitou (ULM) family there are two models available – the ULM 412 H with a lifting capacity of 1,250kg and the ULM 415 H with a lifting capacity of 1,500kg, both with a lift height of 4.30m. The ULM 412 H offers a transportable weight at 2,500kg whilst the 415H has a weight of 2,700kg (depending on the configuration). Both are transportable by a trailer with a PTAC of 3,500kg.
Its dimensions are among the most compact on the market. With a width of just 1.49m and a height of 1.92m, this machine has been perfectly designed for a number of industries, including the construction, agriculture, landscaping and equestrian sectors. This ultra-diverse and compact telehandler enables users to work in the smallest of spaces and easily travel between customer sites with a single trailer, significantly cutting costs and increasing production time.
Driver Experience
Inside, the operator has an unobstructed 360° view. Camille Rouvrais, product manager, explains more: “We replaced the roof grille with a transparent, shock-resistant polycarbonate window, which complies perfectly with the requirements of the FOPS standard”. The visibility improvements also apply to the operator’s lateral view. The side view is clear as the hydraulic hoses are inside the boom and the engine cover at a lower position to the right of the operator.
The dashboard screen used for driver assistance displays information as pop-ups. Two vents are placed on the windscreen for demisting, and the famous Manitou JSM joystick is placed on a floating armrest as standard for greater usability. An automatic parking brake and three steering modes – two-wheel steer for high-speed travel, four-wheel steer for navigating confined places, and crab mode for lateral maneuvers – have been incorporated for improved driving comfort.
Maneouvrability
The ULM is distinctive for its small height, but with a ground clearance as high as 29cm, enabling it to move across difficult terrain without any problems. Equipped with a 35hp engine, the ultra-compact telehandler offers a maximum hydraulic flow of 48 lit/min. The machine is equipped with a flow sharing distributor, enabling several hydraulic movements to be carried out at the same time.
The lightweight design has been kept in mind throughout the development process. By dispensing with the compensating cylinder and replacing the hydraulic compensator with an electronic compensator, for example, less hydraulic oil is needed and the machine’s weight is decreased. Removing the compensating cylinder also narrows the truck, making it simpler to drive in confined spaces, such as when loading straw bales, entering farm buildings, or managing pallets of bricks or blocks on tight construction sites.
Attachments designed for you
A range of attachments has been specially designed for this model allowing it to be used for even more applications. From forks to carriages, hedge cutters, pot clamps, branch cutters, big bag handlers and snow blades – the possibilities are endless.
The new model’s total cost of ownership (TCO) is decreased by a number of cutting-edge features. The Stop & Start option guarantees a reduction in the machine’s total cost of ownership, of about £10 per hour of idle through decreased machine depreciation, fuel consumption, and preventative maintenance. The presence of an anti-aeration filter also results in a 25 per cent reduction in the hydraulic tank’s capacity.
