Telescopic Handler Versus Tractor With Front End Loader

In the last few years, the farming landscape has changed. Even though there are fewer farms, their size continues to grow, giving rise to ever increasing handling requirements without farmers always being able to take on the necessary workforce.

At the same time agricultural machinery has also changed: higher and higher mixers feeder wagons, development of the bale handling activity, with each bale weighing more and more, automation of feeding on farms, etc. So many practices which now require ever more efficient machines in terms of capacity and lifting height.

As a new era in agricultural handling begins, the use of specialised machines is therefore a strategic challenge for increasing farm productivity and improving the quality of the farmer’s life (by working better and faster).

Depending on your needs, you are invited to choose the most suitable machine, from the two flagship solutions on the market: the telehandler or the tractor with loader arms.

What applications are possible with these two solutions? Their strong points for handling? And what should you consider before investing? To help you with the facts, this handling guide for the farmer will be a precious ally. We hope you find the guide helpful!

The Two Solutions

Telescopic Handler

Tractor with Front Loader

The Stability Triangle

Agricultural Handling: Multiple Requirements

Are you a livestock or arable farmer? Do you work in the fields or mainly inside your buildings? Do you need power for towing or precision for lifting? Defining your needs precisely is essential in choosing the handling solution most suitable for you. The range of applications is large. For specialised tasks, a large number of attachments can be added to your machine to facilitate your daily routine.

The telehandler is the ideal handling companion for farmers. As it is both specialised and multi-function it will be a welcome addition to the use of your other machines.

Spotlight On Your Daily Routine: Flagship Applications

I invested in a telehandler 6 months ago. Now I have had it long enough to say that the lifting capacity and the tear-out force are better than those on my tractor. Yes mine has 6000 hours’ service but for handling bales, for example, work is really easier and what is more I save time.

Livestock Farmer

When you load a truck, often you have to place the arm high up and a long way in front of the machine. For this type of work telehandlers have the advantage where weight is concerned: small front overhang, large outreach, centre of gravity at the back of the machine, and a large dump angle etc.

They also allow productivity gains due to the significant hydraulic flow as well as accuracy provided by the proportional levers.

Telehandler options that make the difference

• Bucket Shaking Function: For emptying your buckets automatically without having to make repetitive movements.
• High Capacity Bucket: To load even more material and save time.

I raise 300 cattle…I also cultivate sugar beet and cereals. For loading and unloading, manoeuvrability is essential. It is necessary to be able to access every corner of a silo or a cow shed. With my telehandler, I can easily manoeuvre in the animal housing, which I can’t do in my tractor.

Livestock & Arable Farmer

Agricultural Handling: The Match

See the strong points for each machine depending on your use.

Focus: The Telescopic Handler Solution

Cab Access

During the working day, you can get in and out of your cab dozens of times.

Telehandler options that make the difference

• The Easy Step Cab: The cut-out in the floor of the cab improves visibility on the step and facilitates access to the cab.

Access to the cab is more than just comfort for me. Since I fell when getting out of my tractor, it has become a safety factor. When a neighbour lent me his telehandler, I was agreeably surprised by the number of steps being limited to a minimum and by the wide handles positioned on either side of the cab. It is easy to hold on and feel reassured.

Market Gardener

Visibility

Telehandler options that make the difference

• High Visibility Protection Grid: The angle of each louvre is set depending on the machine’s lifting height, so that you can have a clear view of the load in the upper position.

Comfort

Telehandler options that make the difference

• Active ‘CRC’ Boom Suspension: This is controlled at the moving speed of the machine and provides better driving comfort. This option is particularly suitable for travelling on the road.
• Intelligent Hydraulics Option: Automates some hydraulic functions.

Manoeuvrability

The Telehandler Solution

• Compact dimensions
• 4 Steering Wheels
• Good Turning Radius

I took over the farm from my father. The buildings are old and access is difficult due to their small size. So I adapted by equipping myself with an MLT 625. My main choice criterion was the size because it was necessary to go through rather narrow doors. From this point of view, my “tele” is very practical, being only 1.80 m wide and 2 m high. To get me out of difficult situations when I am moving about inside, the crabwise movement mode is incredibly efficient.

Market Gardener

Safety

The Telehandler Solution

1. System for cutting off aggravating movements: This limits the risks of tipping forwards.
2. Oscillation of the rear axle: Even on uneven ground the oscillation keeps the tyres in contact with the ground.
3. Fixed front axle: To guarantee good lateral load stability.
4. Cab compliant: With the ROPS/FOPS* standard.
5. Safety valve: Fitted on the lifting cylinder, this systems prevents the lifting boom dropping if a hose is accidentally cut.
6. Hydraulic parallelogram: The attachment and the load remain straight when the arm is raised or lowered.

Productivity

Telehandler options that make the difference

• Regenerative Hydraulics Option: This system makes it possible to lower the boom, regardless of engine speed, using gravitational force. This results in time and fuel savings.

• Comfort Steering System (CSS) Option: An intelligent system (regulated according to forward speed and the position of the boom) enabling a full rotation of the wheels to be made in a single turn of the steering wheel instead of four.

I really needed a dedicated handling machine and the hydraulic power was a key factor in my decision. In particular I wanted a machine which was not behind the times and which provided a fast hydraulic response, even when I make two movements at the same time, such as lifting and telescoping. Hydraulics are essential for working efficiently and saving time with each movement.

Farm Manager

+12% Productivity in loading applications with CSS*

*Comfort steering system

Robustness

The Telehandler Solution

1. Mechanically welded boom head.
2. No exposed hydraulic hoses.
3. No exposed cylinders.
4. Engine Protection: Engine has good side protection to limit the risk of loads falling on the the engine compartment.
5. Bucket: The bucket is the same width as the telehandler and does not spray material during mucking out operations.

I have a telescopic handler as well as my tractor. It’s very practical and the two complement each other very well. Even though it is smaller than the tractor, my telehandler is a very robust vehicle which should not be ashamed of the comparison with its neighbour. It has a high load capacity and it is very precise. I find it is the ideal machine for loading and for load placement.

Farmer

Cooling

Telehandler options that make the difference

• Automatic Reverse Fan: This system reverses the air flow every 3 minutes (for 15 seconds). Cooling is always optimal, particularly in dusty environments.

Maintenance

Telehandler options that make the difference

• A removable metal plate to facilitate the cleaning of residues.
• Rear greasing points.

The Questions to Consider For Making The Right Choice

To choose your handling solution, define your priorities (lifting, loading, towing, etc.) depending on your constraints (place, confined space, type of ground, choice of financing, etc.).

These questions might help you.

My Use

What is the availability of the machine (number of hours of use per year)?

My Farm

What size is the farm?
How many sites does it have?
What is the distance between these sites?
What size is the access, in width and height (gate, passage, door, etc.)?

My Working Environment

Has the ground been stabilised?
What type of ground is it (sand, earth, abrasive surface, etc.)?
Is the environment dusty?
What are the average outside temperatures (maximum and minimum)?

My Type of Application

What is the type of load to be handled (pallets, straw bales, manure, feed, etc.)?
What lifting height is needed?
What outreach is needed?
What capacity is needed?

My Animals

What method is used to feed my animals (robot, mixer feeder, etc.)?
What type of housing is used for the animals (on straw, on slat mats, etc.)?

My Project

What are the possible financing solutions for my project?
Which approved network can I rely on the maintenance of my equipment?
What are the commitments in terms of services (intervention times, resolution times)?
What is the contractual guarantee for my machine? What possibilities are there for extending it?
For how many years will spare parts be available?
What are the average timescales for receiving spare parts?
What tools are available to help me calculate the total cost of using my machine?
What training is available to me for familiarisation with the machine?

View all Manitou Agricultural Telescopic Handlers here.

For more information, get in touch with our friendly sales team on +44 (0)28 9267 3111, at sales@northernlifttrucks.co.uk or fill in the short form below.

Farmers Handling Guide produced by Manitou with Agence Caribou.