The new model is the 12th agricultural telehandler in the Manitou family and provides an ideal combination of size and power PLUS extensive attachment options.

Manitou is launching an all-new agricultural telehandler to the North American market: the MLT 850. This entirely new model features heavy-duty parts and components similar to the existing MLT 961 while retaining a relatively smaller footprint more similar to the MLT 841. The machine features a max lift height of 24 feet, 11 inches, and a maximum lifting capacity of 11,021 pounds (4,410 pounds capacity at maximum lift height). The ability to easily change between dozens of attachments makes the MLT 850 an extremely versatile machine for tasks including loading bulk into a trailer, loading silage and manure, loading a feed mixer wagon, stacking straw & hay bales, handling and filling bags, and loading compost and wood chips.

“We designed this new model to continue our mission of lowering total cost of ownership for farmers, while also adding performance capabilities that make this an undeniable, purpose-built addition to any farm,” says Steve Kiskunas, product manager for telescopic handlers, Manitou. “From loading mixers at dairies and feed lots to stacking bales of all shapes and sizes, the MLT 850 is the ultimate multi-purpose workhorse for today’s farm.”

Built for Performance Versatility

With a focus on durability and performance, the MLT 850 features a double U-shaped boom built for ground engaging work (just like the rest of the MLT lineup). It is built to have comparable strength and performance to front-end loaders when working in ground engaging applications. This design also makes the machine an excellent tool carrier for strong attachment performance.

Attachment operation is powered by a robust auxiliary hydraulic system that delivers 26 gallons per minute and a max pressure of 3,400 psi – ideal for running attachments from bale stackers to silage defacers and grapple buckets. And Manitou has made it easier than ever to swap between attachments with a quick-attach system that allows the operator to change attachments within just a few seconds. The Manitou Easy Connect System (ECS) relieves pressure from the hydraulic attachment line without turning off the engine, making it even easier to change attachments – especially on hot summer days when pressure builds up.

“We really focused on making attachment changes as easy as possible to optimize the performance of this machine,” says Kiskunas. “The easier it is to change attachments, the higher the utilization of that machine will be – ultimately improving both its productivity and its profitability.”

The machine also retains the smooth and efficient hydraulic operation Manitou is known for across its product lineup. This includes standard regenerative hydraulics that allow the boom to smoothly lower using gravity, and eliminating heat and noise typically created when sending oil back through the control valve. This allows for faster cycle times, increased fuel savings, and less noise around the work area.

The MLT 850 also features Active Comfort Ride Control, or Active CRC. This is a boom suspension system that continuously cushions the boom while driving over rough terrain. This improves material retention when loading with a bucket, and provides a smooth ride for the operator during both loading and hauling operations.

Off-road performance is matched to the underfoot conditions of each specific farm with three tire options that provide varying levels of traction and ride – and the machine features 18 inches of ground clearance, one-inch higher than the MLT 841. Dana Spicer limited slip axles on both the front and rear provide superior axle torque, and the machine offers 20 percent more drawbar pull than the nearest competitor.

The MLT 850 also features an M-Vario Plus Transmission. This continuously variable transmission (CVT) provides very high traction and allows the operator to choose between comfort mode for slower, smoother speed changes; and dynamic mode for more aggressive speed increases.

An Easy to Service Telehandler with Low Total Cost of Ownership

As with other agricultural telehandlers and construction telehandlers in its lineup, Manitou has placed its engine perpendicularly to the frame of the machine. This provides two key benefits. The first is easier access to service points; and the second is improved visibility for the operator. The engine design allows for a sloping low-profile hood and the boom sits relatively low on the machine, which further improves visibility.

The machine also features an innovative segmented cooling package that allows for individual segments to be replaced in case of damage (versus the cost and hassle of replacing the whole thing).

A reversing fan is standard, set to run automatically or at specific intervals, and each machine comes with a built-in cleanout panel that allows for debris removal.

“These designs keep the engine clean, running cool, and free of debris that can build up heat and harm engine performance and machine health,” says Kiskunas. “This is especially important in ag applications where built-up fine material can cause problems – and this design also makes the machine suitable for work in waste transfer stations and other applications where the machine might be working with fine, combustible or heat-retaining materials.”

The machine also comes, depending on configuration, with a central greasing panel on the very rear of the machine, or an automatic greasing system. The automatic greasing system greases the chassis and boom locations, replacing the need for manual greasing. The automatic greasing can be adjusted from the cab, including increasing the amount of grease being applied during heavy work.

Building a Comfortable Cab for the Farm

The MLT 850 features a large and spacious cab, along with the exclusive Manitou Easy Step with staggered steps and underfoot lighting, making it easier to get in and out of the machine at any time of day. The cab delivers a quiet 69 decibels during operation for operator satisfaction.

The operator sits on a standard cloth air-ride seat and operates the machine through a series of practical and intuitive controls, including:

• An adjustable armrest to adjust operator position to the controls to meet their preference.
• The Manitou JSM joystick allows the operator to control all movements of the machine with one hand, safely and without strain, while keeping the other hand on the steering wheel. From here the operator controls FNR, attachment hydraulics, and telescoping activity. Boom and crowd movements are also made with this joystick. The JSM autopower function also automatically adjusts engine speed according to joystick movements based on the driver’s hand with no input to the foot throttle. This simplifies operation and leads to significant fuel savings because the operator is not using full throttle unless they need to.
• The machine features a 7-inch display that puts all critical operation information and data at the operator’s fingertips.
• It also features color-coded buttons that have all the logic built into the switch. If the operator has a switch that they use often and would like to put it in an easier spot to access, they simply unplug the switch and move it — the functionality stays with the switch.

The MLT 850 is equipped with six years of connectivity through Manitou EasyMANAGER. This telematics platform gives the owner or fleet manager information on machine location, vital signs and usage data – it also helps improve overall fleet management, stays ahead of service intervals and avoids costly downtime events if the owner or fleet manager notices the machine is operating outside of its normal parameters. There is an EasyMANAGER app that can be downloaded to a phone or tablet for easy access to machine data in the field.

Intelligent Design for Varying Day-to-Day Tasks

Manitou knows that farms use the MLT telehandler in a wide variety of applications and has built in additional features to further streamline and improve performance. This includes two-wheel, or front-wheel steer; four-wheel steer, crab mode, and the Manitou exclusive ManiCrab. Manicrab gives the operator the ability to offset the back end of the machine outwards and scrape up against a wall or structure without worrying about scraping the back of the machine against the wall or knocking something off the wall.

Manitou’s Comfort Steer System on the MLT 850 reduces operator fatigue by limiting the amount of turns of the steering wheel it takes to go fully from one direction to the other. That can now be done in one turn of the steering wheel instead of four.

The larger range MLT models also feature Manitou’s intelligent hydraulic controls that significantly improve operation. This includes the quick lift functionality that automatically lifts and extends the boom to a pre-selected point; the bucket shaker feature that helps shed material from the bucket without moving the whole boom up and down repetitively; and the Return to Load feature that allows the attachment and boom to return to a pre-selected position with just the push of a button. 

TCO is further lowered through the standard Start/Stop feature that serves as an automatic idle reduction function that turns the machine off after a pre-selected idle time is achieved.

For more information on the all-new MLT 850 and the entire lineup of Manitou agricultural telehandlers, contact your local Manitou dealer or visit Manitou.com.