Friday, 19 January 2024 10:55

Electric telehandler for agriculture

Written by  Mark Daniel
Manitou’s all-electric telehandler should prove useful for those operating in enclosed environments where emission fumes might be a problem. Manitou’s all-electric telehandler should prove useful for those operating in enclosed environments where emission fumes might be a problem.

French handling specialists Manitou has developed its first all-electric telehandler concept aimed at the agricultural market.

This should prove useful for those operating in enclosed cattle yards, greenhouses and environments where emission fumes might be a problem.

Said to offer a maximum lift capacity of 2.5 tonnes, reducing to 2 tonnes at the maximum lift height of 6 metres, the MLT 625e follows on from the construction version shown at last year’s Bauma Exhibition.

The agricultural version shares the same technology, with the usual diesel engine exchanged for a 14kW electric motor to power the hydrostatic transmission and a second 25kW unit for the boom hydraulics.

A 25kWh lithium-ion battery should provide around four hours of continuous use in the standard operating mode. A regeneration system recovers energy during deceleration, thereby helping to extend operating times.

The battery can be replenished by an on-board 9kW charger. A recharge takes around three hours when plugged into a 380v socket, or slightly longer when using a standard 220v outlet.

A ‘boost mode’, activated by the touch of a button on the dashboard, propels the handler to its maximum speed of 16km/h quickly, but also results in faster boom and bucket cycle times.

Offered with standard, all-wheel and crab steering modes, 4WS offers a tight turning radius of only 3.31m. Meanwhile, the electric model can work with the same attachments as its conventional diesel MLT 625 counterpart.

A driver-presence sensor, alongside an automatic parking brake, are part of the standard package. This also includes LED main beam and working lights, a phone holder and an adjustable steering column.

While the MLT 625e is still a concept, factory sources suggest that the French manufacturer will open its order book in the second part of 2024 for deliveries in mid-2025.

More like this

LDV unveils all-new Terron 9 Elite ute

As if there wasn’t enough choice in the New Zealand ute market, LDV New Zealand is expanding its offering, by showcasing the all-new Terron 9 Elite at Fieldays.

John Deere acquires Sentera to boost smart farming capabilities

While tractors combines and machinery for agriculture and construction is still its key business, John Deere appears to be taking opportunities in the hightech sector via acquisition, with the recent purchase of Sentera, a Minnesota-based company that specialises in equipment for capturing and interpreting aerial images.

Fendt 600 Vario Series arrives in NZ

Released in New Zealand earlier in the year, the new Fendt 600 Vario series, serving the 150-200hp category, is a compact and manoeuvrable 4-cylinder tractor with high performance and payload, at a low power-to-weight ratio.

Featured

Big return on a small investment

Managing director of Woolover Ltd, David Brown, has put a lot of effort into verifying what seems intuitive, that keeping newborn stock's core temperature stable pays dividends by helping them realise their full genetic potential.

Editorial: Sensible move

OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Overbearing?

OPINION: Dust ups between rural media and PR types aren't unheard of but also aren't common, given part of the…

Foot-in-mouth

OPINION: The Hound hears from his canine pals in Southland that an individual's derogatory remarks on social media have left…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter