Manitou's pocket Maniscopic

Manitou has launched an innovative, compact three-wheeled telehandler designed to compete with skidsteer loaders on sites where access is restricted.

The SLT415, nicknamed the 'pocket Maniscopic', has a lift height of 3.95m, a load capacity of 1.5t for bucket loading and load placing duties, as well as a forward reach of 2.13m. All three of the 29.6kW machine's wheels are driven through hydrostatic transmission, and the turning radius is just over 2.2m.

"We hope that as it is so compact, it will compete with skidsteers, where its greater lift height and forward reach will come into its own, as well as work on sites with restricted access," said Paul Bidwell, promotions manager for Manitou (Sitelift) UK.

"Another of its principal attractions is that it weighs only 2.35t, allowing it to be towed easily from site to site," he added. "This should also enable it to work on suspended floors."

The new machine measures 1.66mm wide and 1.9mm high, with a list price of £23,350. Its first outing will be at next month's SED.

n Manitou has also launched three new models of access platform designed to operate in restricted areas. The largest is the 1.2m by 5.48m 120AETJ, a 12m working height articulating boom with a stowed height of 1.99m. Also new is the 2.81m by 0.99mm 80VJR, a 7.9m working height vertical boom, and the 8.1m working height 81XE scissor lift, which measures 2.3m by 0.8mm.