Manitou is still a relative newcomer to the compact loader segment. Undeterred, though, the French firm has recently revamped its mini MLAs to give even more model choice. Here we focus on the 4-50H.
Once you have used a compact wheel loader, it is one of those machines that you find it hard to live without, especially if there’s a larger handler for doing the big jobs and you need a more agile companion. This could be part of the reason why there are now over 41,000 small wheel loaders under 80hp sold worldwide each year. Wanting in on the action, Manitou has come up with six new models, with load capacities of 0.7-1.5t in the MLA line-up.
Europeans
The 4-50H compact loader is built in Germany, the engine coming from Perkins in England and the hydraulics from Bosch Rexroth. While the smaller series 2 and 3 models have to be content with 25hp engines, a three-cylinder, 1.7-litre turbocharged motor with 36kW/48hp is installed to power the 4-50H. Unlike its predecessors, the loader has the engine mounted longitudinally in the chassis
It complies with Stage V — a diesel particulate filter is needed for machines with 50hp. In use, the engine worked well, but stalling is possible when operating the hydraulics with the engine idling.
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