Arbtalk.co.uk | Discussion Forum for Arborists

I use my forklifts alot and am thinking of chopping in my old JCB 525. I am reducing the size of my yard but would still like at least a 2 tonne lift. I am thinking a 520-40 or 525-50 one of the later little jobbies with proper 4x4 not the teletruck. Or possibly a manitou buggiscopic but I find them a bit revvy, crude and slow. Any advice welcome especially regards repair access, overheating, joysticks and electrics falling apart etc

My brothers have just changed their old Saunderson, they did a lot of research on the subject and spoke to a wide range of owners. Their choice was a Manitou, not one owner had anything but praise for theirs. I have used it and to be honest prefer the joystick layout on a John Deere that I use quite a bit. Seems a well made bit of kit though.

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Thanks for your feedback. Manitou is on my short list especially since the dealer is nearby. Never thought of JD but maybe too new and out of my price range. Thinking of spending 10-14k

Have you thought about one of the bigger csf/avant loaders? Not too sure on the max lift though, 2 tonne might be pushing it.

Yes had a look a year ago excellent looking bit of kit for tight spaces. The very biggest one lifts a tonne and costs about 20k new. Difficult to find used. Thats why we decided on a used 2 tonne machine. we often pick up 2 tonne stuff ie silent gensets and packs of wood.

Hi Steave we have a matbro ts270 been a super pice of kit got 12,000 hours on it now and the only thing its had is a starter motor and ring gear if you whant somthing newer either a manitou or jcb there about the best out there! hope this helps

A small Merlo is worth considering. All in all they're really good - the main issues with them are the axle trunions and the brakes. Trunions are dead easy to fix and don't use the brakes (use the transmission to stop unlike the JCB)

Anyone looked into the Kramer articulated mini loading shovels? Kramer is part of the Wacker Neuson thing and their diggers are quality stuff!

JCB 520-50, well proven running gear same as 2cx, and airmaster, 4speed and shuttle, manual hydraulics a joystick and aux lever, only electric control is the park brake. The 520-40 are hydrostatic so as you say a bit revvy.

Avoid any truck thats been on a livestock farm steve.