Hire Manitou Forklifts – Rugged, Robust, Ready to Work

In 1958, Marcel Braud invented the first rough-terrain forklift in Ancenis, France – laying the foundation for the Manitou brand. Today the company manufactures one of the most versatile forklift ranges on the market: rough-terrain forklifts in the M series for building sites and works yards, industrial forklifts in the MI range for indoor use, and heavy-duty variants for extreme tonnages. Luibl Rental hires out the Manitou forklift range with load capacities from 3 to over 5 tonnes – complemented by heavy-duty solutions on request. All-wheel drive, high ground clearance, a clear-view mast and ergonomic cabs make every Manitou forklift a specialist machine for demanding applications. Choose the model that suits your logistics.

Manitou divides its forklift range by application environment. Three main lines cover the full spectrum:

• Rough-terrain forklifts, M series – models such as the M30-4 (3 t) and M50-4 (5 t) are designed for unpaved building sites, works yards, timber yards and outdoor storage areas. Permanent all-wheel drive (4×4), high ground clearance and oscillating axles ensure secure load handling even on gravel, grass and wet ground. These models are the typical choice for building materials trading, the construction industry, forestry and landscaping.

• Industrial forklifts, MI series – counterbalance forklifts such as the MI 35 D ST5 with 3.5 tonnes of load capacity and a Stage V diesel engine are designed for paved surfaces in warehouses, yards and logistics centres. Lower ground clearance, standard industrial tyres and a narrower build make manoeuvring in racking aisles easier. Available in the rental fleet with diesel, LPG or electric drive depending on the application.

• Semi-industrial models and heavy-duty variants – for mixed use on works yards with an indoor element, Manitou offers semi-industrial forklifts. Heavy-duty solutions beyond the 5-tonne class are provided by Luibl on request – where needed in combination with models from other manufacturers such as Kalmar or Hyundai, which cover the range up to 18 tonnes.

→ All counterbalance forklifts · All rough-terrain forklifts · Heavy-duty forklifts

Four models cover the majority of typical rental enquiries. Clicking a model takes you to the detail page with load chart and availability enquiry.

• Manitou M30-4 – 3-tonne rough-terrain forklift · All-wheel-drive diesel, 3,000 kg load capacity, lift height of nearly 5 m, cornering control with speed-dependent throttling. Standard machine for building materials trading, medium-sized building sites and outdoor storage. → View the Manitou M30-4

• Manitou M50-4 – 5-tonne rough-terrain forklift · All-wheel-drive diesel, 5,000 kg load capacity, approx. 5 m lift height. Clear-view mast, hydrostatic drive, load-lowering safety valve and anti-rollback protection. First choice for steel beams, heavy-duty pallets, bulk bags and machine assemblies on unpaved ground. → View the Manitou M50-4

• Manitou MI 35 D ST5 – 3.5-tonne industrial forklift · Diesel with Stage V engine, 3,500 kg load capacity, 4.80 m lift height. For everyday handling in warehouses, paved yards and storage areas. Stage V allows use in emission-sensitive industrial zones. → View the Manitou MI 35 D ST5

• Heavy-duty solution on request · If the 5-tonne limit isn't enough, Luibl provides heavy-duty class models up to 16 tonnes (e.g. the Kalmar DCG 160-12T). For Manitou heavy-duty needs (MHT range), Luibl combines telehandlers with fork carriages – the right solution for extreme point loads or unusual load centres of gravity. → View heavy-duty forklifts

Three factors determine the right choice. Getting this calculation right avoids mismatched enquiries, delayed deliveries and, above all, safety risks from incorrectly sized machines.

• Ground conditions – smooth, paved surfaces in warehouses or asphalted yards → MI series (industrial forklifts). Mixed conditions with both indoor and outdoor use → semi-industrial models. Unpaved terrain, gravel, sand, mud, snow → M series (rough-terrain forklifts) with all-wheel drive.

• Load capacity and load centre – up to 2.5 t at a 500 mm load centre → MI 25 / entry-level rough-terrain forklift. 3–3.5 t standard pallets → MI 35 D ST5 or M30-4. 5 t steel beams and heavy bulk bags → M50-4. Over 5 t or an unusual load centre → heavy-duty class or telehandler. The rated capacity refers to the standard load centre; for long or overhanging loads, the residual capacity drops significantly.

• Duration of use and charging infrastructure – multi-shift operation without charging breaks or a fixed power connection → diesel. Indoor use with food, pharmaceutical or refrigerated requirements → electric. An intermediate solution with both outdoor and indoor use → LPG.

If in doubt, clarify briefly during the quote discussion – overloading and choosing the wrong drive type are the most common causes of forklift accidents and consequential damage to floors and loads.

Alongside forklifts, Manitou also produces telescopic wheel loaders (e.g. the MLA series), known as yard loaders. These machines have an articulated frame and a pivoting arm, and can be fitted with a bucket, pallet forks, log grapple or clamp – typical applications include agriculture, recycling yards, timber storage and building materials logistics involving bulk goods.

When should you choose a forklift, and when a yard loader? If the task is primarily lifting and stacking pallets, containers or defined loads, a Manitou forklift is the more efficient choice – greater lift height, more precise positioning, lower rental costs. If the task is dominated by handling bulk material or using different attachments (bucket, clamp, muck fork), a yard loader or telescopic wheel loader is more suitable.

Luibl offers yard loaders and telescopic wheel loaders within its construction machinery range – talk to our dispatch team if you're unsure which category fits your needs. → View construction machinery

The operation of ride-on industrial trucks on German business premises is clearly regulated. Three requirements are central:

• DGUV Regulation 68 (Industrial Trucks) – defines the general safety requirements for the construction, equipment and operation of industrial trucks.

• DGUV Principle 308-001 (formerly BGG 925) – governs operator training and authorisation. Requirements: written authorisation from the employer, a medical fitness examination (G25), and theoretical and practical instruction. The result is the "forklift licence" or industrial truck operating permit.

• Machine-specific induction – beyond basic training, every operator must be inducted on the specific rental machine – load chart, controls, and the particular features of all-wheel steering modes.

• Annual safety inspection – every Luibl rental machine is delivered with a valid safety inspection sticker. For long-term rentals, Luibl carries out the follow-up inspection at no extra charge.

Training under DGUV Principle 308-001 can be combined directly with the machine hire – on site at your building site if required. → View our training courses

In Austria, the AM-VO (Working Equipment Ordinance) and AUVA requirements on operator qualification also apply; German DGUV qualification is recognised in most cases, though supplementary instruction is advisable.

The daily rental rate for a Manitou forklift depends on model class, rental duration and delivery distance. Three factors determine the final price:

• Model class – a 3-tonne rough-terrain forklift is significantly cheaper per day than a 5-tonne model or an MI 35 D ST5 with a Stage V engine. Heavy-duty classes from 10 t upwards form their own price segment.

• Rental duration – short-term hire (1–3 days) has the highest daily rate. Weekly hire noticeably reduces the daily rate. Long-term hires of three months or more usually include the safety inspection and maintenance in the price, bringing the daily rate down to industrial levels.

• Delivery and attachments – our own low-loader transport from the nearest of over 200 Luibl locations. Attachments such as side shifters, fork positioners or rotators are calculated separately.

A firm quote is usually provided within 24 hours of enquiry. → Check availability · Get in touch

Phone: +49 (0) 851 756868-0 (Germany) · +43 (0) 720-204026 (Austria) Check availability: Availability request Contact: https://www.luibl.eu/en/contact/

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