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M AT E R I A L S H A N D L I N G E Q U I P M E N T
SMALL WONDERS Versatile and transportable, the ULM (Ultra Light Manitou) is set to achieve very good things in a small package.
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n 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 hirers and owner/operators alike. 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
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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 is 2,900kg without attachment, which means it too can 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
