27.08.2014

Manitou steps up environmental efforts

Manitou has stepped up its environmental efforts through its Reduce programme, with the fitting of standardised fuel consumption and emission information, the testing methods of which have been certified a third party – UTAC (Union Technique de l'Automobile du motocycle et du Cycle).

It claims that it is 'the first manufacturer to reveal the consumption of its machines, together with its metrics methodology'.
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UTAC was also asked to visit typical building sites and farms to monitor Manitou equipment at work to confirm that tests were in accordance with real lift operating cycles and usage.

The tests cover four activities that represent the principle activity of a telescopic handler - materials handling - bulk loading – rolling/driving and idling. To simplify reading the labels on the machines, only the performance on the two most representative activities for that particular machine is displayed on the decal.
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Each machine will be fitted with a more comprehensive fuel consumption and emissions information decal

Customers can use an internet-based calculator and access other data which allows them to personalise their cycle. Some of the Manitou machines were tested alongside equivalent competitors’ machines in order to obtain comparative data. The company claims that its machines offered consumption levels up to 20 percent better than other machines.

Manitou says that it will introduce stop-and-go systems for its hydraulic systems, along with more hybrid and bi-energy power units and an Eco Mode – electronic management of hydraulic flow controls etc... Longer term it plans to use the test data to introduce further fuel and emission efficiencies into the design of its new products.

Managing director Michel Denis said: “In each of the sustainable development projects we conduct, we aim to benefit our customers. An example of this approach is the Reduce programme. We wish to provide our customers with reliable, clear and transparent information on the real consumption data for our machines to accompany our customers in the reduction of their total carrying cost and their environmental footprint.”