Manitou has announced several important new models in the past week.

The NEW compact MT range represents an excellent compromise for customers who are constrained by cramped environments and are looking for performance and versatility. Both new models have a 3 tonne payload to 7 metres and 9 metres. Setting new standards these 3 tonne payload machines are just 2 metres wide a 2 metres tall, with an overall length to the carriage of 4.68 metres.

Forward reach is four metres on the MT730 with up to 950kg, and 2,500kg to full height, while the MT930 has just over six metres forward reach with 450kg and can take 2,000kg to full height.

The ideal products for all small and medium construction sites, being able to work up to 2 floors.

The second and most significant range is an all new 360 degree MRT product line, which will be available in two formats - ‘Vision’ and ‘Vision +’ - with lift heights up to 35 metres and lift capacities to seven tonnes. These exciting new models will be available in the first quarter of 2022.

The Vision + line up includes five base models – three with six tonnes maximum capacities – the MRT 2260, MRT 2660 and 3060 with lift heights of 22, 26 and 30 metres, plus two with seven tonnes capacity, the 25 metre MRT 2570 and 35 metre 3570.

The simpler more basic Vision line includes four 4,500kg models - the 16 metre MRT1645, 18 metre MRT 1845, 21 metre MRT 2145 and 25 metre MRT 2545 - with a choice of engine power offered plus the simpler versions of the units in the Vision+ range.

The new models do look quite different and feature an all new high vision cab with no structural bars from the front to the back of the roof to restrict the view.

The cab also features an extra large touch screen and pop up informatics and hot water heater. The new machines are said to be up to five percent lighter, and yet offer increased capacities of up to 15 percent. They also feature automatic transmissions with a road speed of up to 40kph. Access to the deck is available on both sides and at both ends of the chassis making it easy to climb down regardless of the superstructure slew position.

Power comes from a Yanmar Stage V/Tier 4 diesel coupled with a new hydraulic system, which is said to offer smoother function speeds up to 30 percent faster. The company claims a five percent reduction in cost of ownership and improved paint quality. Initially two of the models – the 22 and 26 metre lift height units will be available as all electric or hybrid/bi-energy versions.

​Compact and powerful Stage V tracked dumpers built for heavy duty, fast dumping.

Able to haul up to 2875kg, and unload in both directions at 90 degrees; this high power and extremely manoeuvrable tracked dumper is built to transport heavy materials easily, safely and in comfort – even in the smallest site.

Two models are available one with a fixed skip, the other with a rotating skip.

Download the spec sheet below or click this link for more information.

​Privately owned hirer Southern Plant and Tool Hire has taken the bold step of opening a second branch post Brexit and before the country comes fully out of this year’s COVID 19 lock down.

Based in Henley on Thames, since being established, the second branch is in Brackley 50 odd miles to the North. Brackley’s only recent claim to fame is as home to the dominant Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team, based just round the corner from Southern Plant and Tool Hire’s branch.

Brackley, just off the A43, gives easy access to both the M1 and M40 motorways with Coventry, Kettering, Northampton, Bedford, and Oxford all being in the branch’s service area.

Officially opened in early March, without fanfare due to COVID restrictions, the new branch is well stocked not least with 12 new Kubota mini-excavators supplied by Tring based Boss Plant Sales Ltd the official Kubota dealer for London, the home counties, and Oxfordshire. The order, fulfilled by Boss Plant by the time the branch opened, was for 4 off 1 tonne K008-3’s, 4 off 1.7 tonne U17-3 alpha’s, and 4 off 2.6 tonne U27-4’s, all supplied with a range of buckets. The new Kubota’s meet all the latest safety and emissions standards. Additionally, the new fleet is fitted with green seat-belt safety indicator lights.
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The range of new Kubota’s join Bomag tandem rollers, Thwaites site dumpers, access equipment, compressors, generators, welding sets, wide range of powered hand tools and consumables, including the handy ‘Fuel Box’, in stock ready for their new customers both professional and domestic.
Southern Plant offer very flexible hire periods to suit their customer’s need from half a day to longer term rental agreements.

THE KUBOTA U27-4 ON-SITE HIRED TO OXFORD DRAIN DOCTOR

One of the first hires for this new Kubota was working on a farm a few miles from Brackley. The hirer, Oxford Drain Doctor, was contracted to install a new 20m drainage pipe run and an 18m3 stone-filled soak-away.

The 2.6 tonne zero-tail swing Kubota U27-4 has a spacious cab and excellent all-round visibility, which the 6-foot 3-inch operator appreciated. Digging with a 600mm bucket the operator was able to dig out the soak-away, in hard dry compacted ground, from one side using the machine’s powerful digging force (dipper 12.3kN, bucket 21.0kN) and 2.82 metre dig depth.
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The U27-4 allows the simultaneous operation of four functions. When the operation of the boom, arm, bucket, and swivel are required all at the same time, two variable pumps distribute an accurate amount of oil flow to each actuator according to the lever stroke. This process enables continuous high performance digging and dozing on the toughest application.

HISTORY

Southern Plant, formed in 1988, is a ‘family’ company. The current Directors are Vincent Rose and brothers Murray and Robson Gale.

Southern Plant was formed by the brother’s father Simon Gale a ‘larger than life’ character whose infectious passion for life and business fuelled the growth of Southern Plant until his untimely death in 2019.

As soon as the company was formed Southern Plant bought their first mini-excavator, a Kubota. At the time, the once ubiquitous backhoe loader was popular on sites. Southern Plant managers, as early adopters of the then ‘new’ product, got it right as mini-excavators now dominate the market with backhoes now rarely seen.
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The brother’s, Robson and Murray, joined the business in 2012 and 2015 respectively. Robson starting his career as an apprentice at age 15.

Kubota has just announced 2 new models of compact tracked dumper.

Powered by a 34.1kW Stage V Kubota diesel engine driving a hydrostatic transmission these machines will make a perfect partner to the best minis on the market.

With a 2.875 tonne payload these new compact tracked loaders will be tough enough for the hardest applications in poor ground conditions.

Two models are available one with a rotating skip (as shown above) and one with a conventional forward  tip configuration.

​More details will follow in the coming days.

Download the specification brochure below.

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