After many years as an official dealer for Manitou loaders, T H WHITE has now also been appointed as a dealer for the French company’s innovative range of access and aerial work platforms.

Making it easy and safe to access hard-to-reach places, Manitou’s aerial platforms are offered in a variety of configurations. Depending on the application, the most appropriate solution might be a platform with a long-reach articulated or telescopic boom, or straight lifts in more confined spaces might call for a ‘scissor’ lift or a vertical mast.

Starting with the compact 80 VJR vertical mast model which has a working height of 7.65m (25ft), the range includes many configurations right up to the brawny telescopic boom 280 TJ which can reach a working height of 27.75m (91ft) while lifting a payload of 240kg (529lb). Where heavier loads need to be lifted the scissor-lift models come into their own, the 100 SC having a lifting capacity up to 680kg (1,500lb). The models are variously offered with diesel, electric or hybrid power.

Construction, installation and repair tasks are the obvious applications for Manitou aerial work platforms and indeed they are sold through T H WHITE Construction, but there are many other uses too. For example, the ever-increasing size of agricultural machinery such as combine and forage harvesters means that an aerial platform can make it much easier to access higher level inspection panels and parts. We have recently been using a Manitou 100 VJR when working on combine harvesters in our Marlborough depot (see photo).

If you would like to know more, our Construction specialist Steve Clucas-Tomlinson would be happy to talk through the options. Call him on 07860 593339.

Manitou’s new pivot-steer telehandler, the MLA-T, combines bags of sheer tear-out force with exceptional levels of comfort and durability, and is available now from T H WHITE Agriculture and Construction.

Designed in-house from the ground-up, the MLA-T features a tighter turning circle than competing machines and, unlike many pivot-steer handlers, it shuns standard torque converter transmission for Manitou’s own hydrostatic M-Vario Plus transmission, which is more commonly found on higher-spec, rigid-frame machines.

Powered by a Deutz 4.1-litre, 143hp diesel engine, the MLA-T has plenty of ‘grunt’ for all the construction and agricultural tasks that it will be required to perform. On the road it can be driven at up to 40kph, but a number of advanced technologies are built-in to deliver maximum power at slow speeds with the engine driving two separate axial piston motors, one of which is automatically disengaged above 20kph to reduce oil displacement, assist cooling and reduce fuel consumption.

An eco-mode can also result in a fuel cost saving of around £440 over 1,000 hours when full power isn’t needed.

Built for hard work in harsh environments, the MLA-T features a heavy chassis with widely spaced top and bottom pins to mitigate stress on the pivot joint and the prop shaft runs inside the chassis for maximum protection.

Matching equivalent rigid machines, the MLA-T can lift 3.3t at full articulation and up to 5t for a straight tipping load, while optional ‘intelligent’ hydraulics offer three most useful automated functions – Quick Lift which combines raising/lowering with extension/retraction; Bucket Shaker saves the operator from making repetitive movements; and Return to Load to automatically return to a pre-set position.

Completing the package is a comfortable working environment and brand new cab design with easy control via a JSM joystick and a digital display dash. Maintenance is easy thanks to a central greasing block.

We think you’ll love the MLT-A, particularly for livestock farming and construction applications, but you don’t need to take our word for it. If you would like to see and try the machine for yourself, please contact your T H WHITE Agriculture or Construction representative.

The answer is YES if you own or operate a fork lift truck, telescopic handler, or a tractor fitted with a loader.

You are required by law to ensure that the machine holds a report of thorough examination on an annual basis. This requirement of a ‘thorough examination’ is embedded in Health & Safety legislation; Lifting components are covered by the Lifting Operations and Lifting equipment Regulations 1998.

So if you have purchased a machine in the last 12 months your LOLER test is now due. If you bought over a year ago have you had your annual LOLER test? We offer fixed price LOLER testing for just £130, or the test is FREE with your annual service.

To book your LOLER test just contact one of our service managers: Marlborough 01672 518407 ; Frome 01373 465941;Toddington 01242 620211; Knockdown 01454 238181.

A LOLER test can cost as little as £130* – a small price for real peace of mind. *Mileage and VAT not included.

T H WHITE Construction has been appointed as a dealer for Probst handling and laying equipment.

This high quality German-built equipment includes concrete block splitters, sand screeders, battery powered vacuum slab lifters and construction material grabs. To find out more, call 01672 512328.

In March Terex was acquired by the Mecalac Group, a leading European manufacturer of compact construction equipment.

All the highly popular Terex construction machinery, including excavators, backhoes, dumpers and loaders will continue to be available under the Mecalac umbrella, but the new owners also have plans to make exciting new introductions over the coming year. The first announcements were made at the Plantworx show in June, but you can get the whole story by contacting our Construction team at Marlborough on 01672 512328.