Heavy lifting equipment supplier Manitou says user experience from its global customer base has allowed it to focus on introducing a new line of ultra-modern industrial forklifts.

The Manitou Industrial (MI) range, which has new streamlined curves and a roomier, more refined operator’s compartment, along with better handling and visibility, is designed to help operators improve productivity.

“We believe that comfort plays an essential role in managing workers’ daily output. This is why the new MI product line features industry firsts in forklift comfort, such as contoured seats with seatbelts, extra foot well space, advanced cab heating and well-positioned mount and unmount handles,” says Manitou South Africa MD Lindsay Shankland.

Other features for operator wellbeing include nonslip steps on either side of the cab, improved visibility with a wide view, an open roof design, profiled rear pillars for reversing and rear headlights placed on top of a protective roof.

“Greater ergonomics mean that operators experience the forklift working with them, instead of them working the forklift. This helps to delay the onset of fatigue and, we believe, this has the potential to significantly impact on overall productivity in the warehousing and pallet industries,” explains Shankland.

Apart from usability improvements, the MI product line features performance technologies. One of these is the Powershift transmission, which ensures a jerk-free approach, optimises duty cycle times and includes an end-of-stroke braking function. Overall, this optimised and already well-established transmission system ensures greater general reliability and machine uptime.

The engine, available either in the Yanmar diesel or Nissan liquefied petroleum gas variations, produces increased efficiency with a high-level air intake, an air-filter safety cartridge and a vertical exhaust. “For maximum uptime, the MI range only needs a service every 500 hours,” says Shankland.

The MI line comprises 12 models, ranging in weight capacities from 1.5 t to 3.5 t, and is already available on the South African market. These are offered in addition to the Manitou range of electric forklifts, which are suitable for indoor operation and come in three- and four-wheel variations – providing better manoeuvrability and high performance. Both forklift ranges are suitable for use in narrow aisles and warehouses, where high item rotation is important.

As a supplier of forklifts in South Africa, Manitou similarly supplies the Manilec range of warehousing equipment, forming a com- prehensive pallet and materials handling solution. This includes a range of electric pallet trucks that weigh between 2 t and 5 t, designed for walk-behind or ride-on handling of crates and pallets.

Further, 3 t industrial tow tractors are offered for safely towing loads that are supported by trailers on industrial ground; 2 t floor-level order pickers provide direct access to stored items, while the 1.6 t to 2 t electric lift stackers lift or stack items to heights inside racks or shelves, and access platforms allow for efficient small-item handling and stocktaking.

“The Manitou access platform range includes vertical lifts, which reach up to 9.9 m, vertical scissor lifts, which reach 12 m, and articulated access platforms for trickier tasks at up to 28 m,” notes Shankland.

To help facilitate lower operating costs and longer equipment life, Manitou’s highly trained national service and support rapid response team offers 95% parts availability all year round to all Manitou machine owners.

Maniplus is a warranty extension that covers repairs (both parts and labour) as a result of defective components and manufacturing faults. This warranty comes into effect after the manufacturer’s warranty period. An additional 12- or 24-month contract is avail- able after the initial manufacturer’s warranty has expired, depending on the customer’s requirements.

To further help manage its customers’ warehousing and materials handling solutions, Manitou has devised service and finance packages that meet each business’s require- ments, whether operating just a single machine or a large fleet.

“The Maniplus extended warranty, the comfort service or global service maintenance contracts, along with our specially tailored loans, provide our customers with a comprehensive range of personalised services that are available when buying any Manitou machine,” says Shankland.

Manitou offers these services independently, but also combines them in a single financial agreement.