Manitou at CONEXPO 2026: New Loaders, MRT 4070, Electric Focus

Manitou Group used CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 in Las Vegas to underline two priorities for the North American market: expanding its large-frame compact loader lineup built in South Dakota, and accelerating electrification across telehandlers and access equipment under the group’s LIFT 2030 roadmap.

A North America-first message backed by US production

In the group’s CONEXPO press briefing, North America was presented as a growth region where Manitou wants to increase its weight in key categories that are heavily concentrated in the US and Canada. The company tied that ambition to its industrial footprint in South Dakota, where it manufactures skid steers, compact track loaders, and telehandlers for the region, alongside continued investment in capacity and product development.

At a group level, Manitou’s LIFT plan sets quantified objectives through 2030 and positions electrification and industrial investment as core levers. The strategy target most relevant to CONEXPO: electric machines, representing 28% of machines sold by 2030.

Five new large-frame skid steers and compact track loaders

The main hardware story for North America is the rollout of five new large-frame models: three skid steers and two compact track loaders, sold under both the Manitou and Gehl brands. The machines are manufactured in South Dakota and were presented as a full redesign aimed at higher output applications in construction, rental, and material handling.

Key performance highlights presented at CONEXPO include:

• Up to 114 hp and nearly 13,000 lb of tractive effort on the large-frame platform (as described in the product presentation).
• A load-sensing, flow-sharing hydraulic system with high-flow up to 40 gpm, plus programmable auxiliary flow to match attachment demands.
• A redesigned operator station with a 7-inch color display, illuminated keypad logic for installed options, and improved sightlines versus the prior generation (Manitou cited a visibility gain during the briefing).

Manitou also emphasised service access and daily usability: designs intended to simplify maintenance tasks, paired with telematics and fleet support through the group’s mobile apps ecosystem.

MRT 4070: the highest lift in the rotating range, shown in North America

CONEXPO also served as a showcase for the MRT 4070, positioned as the flagship of Manitou’s Vision+ rotating telehandler range and introduced as its highest-lift MRT to date. The machine’s headline numbers are aimed squarely at high-reach construction and industrial jobs:

• 131 ft lift height
• 15,400 lb maximum capacity
• Up to 88 ft horizontal outreach
• 211 hp engine with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for smooth power delivery

Manitou’s pitch is straightforward: a high-reach rotating telehandler can cover a chunk of lifting and placement work that would otherwise require more specialised equipment and more machine repositioning on site, especially in façade work, roofing, masonry, restoration, and industrial construction.

Electrification: MTA 519 e for North America and a broader access lineup

On electrification, Manitou highlighted the MTA 519 e, an all-electric telehandler designed specifically for North America. The configuration presented at the show centers on a 33 kWh lithium-ion battery that supports partial charging and targets up to five hours of continuous operation, with Manitou also pointing to reduced routine maintenance versus diesel equivalents.

Alongside the telehandler, Manitou showcased electric aerial work platforms, aligning access equipment with the same electrification trajectory described in LIFT 2030.

Decarbonising logistics: Neoliner Origin as a visible supply chain signal

Manitou has also been leaning into logistics as part of its emissions story, including shipping some machines across the Atlantic aboard Neoliner Origin, a wind-powered ro-ro sailing cargo vessel operating between the French Atlantic coast and Baltimore. The company has positioned this as one of the levers to reduce transport-related emissions, with third-party and partner materials highlighting large CO2 reductions versus conventional shipping on comparable routes.

Safety and digital features: AI-assisted detection and asset tracking direction

Beyond product launches, the press briefing spent time on features that are becoming purchase drivers in North America, especially for larger rental fleets and high-utilisation contractors: camera and detection systems to reduce blind spots, plus tracking solutions for attachments and fleet assets. In parallel, Manitou highlighted stop-start style functions and other efficiency measures as part of the total cost of ownership and uptime positioning, not just headline performance.

Manitou at CONEXPO 2026: New Loaders, MRT 4070, Electric Focus published on The HeavyQuip Magazine.