Magni, Manitou or Merlo? The roto telehandler brand comparison

Anyone who has decided on a roto telehandler faces the next question: which of the three major brands suits the project? Magni, Manitou and Merlo all build rotating telehandlers with comparable key data – lift heights of almost 40 metres, load capacities up to 8 tonnes – but differ significantly in control philosophy, chassis and cab concept. This comparison ranks the three manufacturers along the criteria that actually determine satisfaction on site.

How the designs differ and which obligations apply during use is explained in the telehandler guide.

Unlike simpler machines, roto telehandlers differ not only in rated values but above all in operating logic. An operator who has worked with a particular system for years does not automatically transfer their feel for load moments, joystick response and outrigger behaviour to another brand. For tasks requiring high precision – such as swinging a window facade into place with the basket – this difference can decide between a smooth working day and repeated corrective movements.

In the Luibl Rental fleet, Magni positions itself as the brand with the strongest focus on digital operator support. The RTH series offers high lifting performance across almost all size classes as well as automatic load chart calculation, which adjusts the permissible load in real time depending on the attachment fitted – forks, winch or basket. This is complemented by a touch-based interface in the cab that displays operating parameters more clearly than classic analogue instruments.

For operators who frequently switch between attachments or work with changing personnel, this automatic recognition reduces the risk of error: the machine does not have to be manually set to the respective attachment. In the rental fleet, Magni covers almost the entire range from the compact class (RTH 4.18, around 18 m lift height) to the high-lift class (RTH 6.39SH, almost 39 m lift height).

With the Roto series, Merlo relies on a different differentiator: ride comfort. The suspended cab significantly reduces vibration when travelling over uneven ground – an advantage that matters especially during long shifts and frequent repositioning on large sites. At the same time, Merlo Roto models are often more compact than similarly powerful competitor machines, which is a practical advantage on inner-city or confined sites with narrow access.

The controls are considered particularly precise in fine metering, which is noticeable during delicate installation work with the basket. In the rental fleet, the Merlo Roto range extends from the compact 40.16 (4 t / around 16 m) to the heavy-duty 50.35S Plus (around 34 m lift height with almost 5 t load capacity and 27 m outreach).

With the MRT series, Manitou differentiates itself primarily through the chassis. Consistent four-wheel drive combined with several selectable steering modes – including so-called crab steering, in which the front and rear axles can be offset in parallel – makes the MRT models the preferred choice on unpaved or steeply sloping ground. Where other machines need several attempts when manoeuvring, an MRT can often move sideways directly thanks to its flexible steering.

This off-road strength pays off especially in structural work, earthworks and projects with changing ground conditions. In the rental fleet, Manitou covers a broad spectrum with models from the MRT 1840 (entry class, around 18 m) to the MRT 3570 (heavy-duty class, 7 t load capacity at almost 35 m lift height and 28 m outreach).

Criterion	Magni RTH	Merlo Roto	Manitou MRT
Strongest feature	Load chart calculation, touch controls	Cab suspension, compact design	Four-wheel drive, crab steering
Ideal for	Frequent attachment changes	Long shifts, narrow access	Unpaved/sloping ground
Lift height in the rental fleet	up to approx. 39 m	up to approx. 34 m	up to approx. 35 m
Load capacity in the rental fleet	up to 8 t	up to 7 t	up to 7 t

Regardless of which brand is in focus, the roto telehandlers available from Luibl Rental can be grouped into four performance classes. The compact class covers up to 18 metres lift height with around 4 tonnes load capacity and suits tight urban sites and renovation projects. The standard class ranges from 21 to 26 metres and 5 to 6 tonnes and is the all-rounder for modern building construction. The heavy-duty class covers 26 to 35 metres at 7 to 8 tonnes and is preferred in concrete and bridge construction, while the high-lift class, with 30 to 39 metres at up to 7 tonnes, is in many cases an economically sensible alternative to the mobile crane. All three brands are represented across several of these classes in the rental fleet.

An important practical point: the choice of brand does not restrict the available attachments. Whether winch and load hook for use as a site crane, a basket for installation and maintenance work, pallet forks for transporting material at height, or buckets and grabs for bulk material – all these attachments can be rented from Luibl Rental regardless of the manufacturer chosen. Anyone who changes attachments regularly benefits particularly clearly from Magni's automatic load chart adjustment.

Regardless of the brand chosen, the same safety standards apply to all roto telehandlers in the Luibl Rental fleet. Every machine has an integrated load moment limiter that continuously monitors weight and outreach and prevents the machine from tipping. Variable outrigger systems – scissor or folding outriggers depending on the model – allow levelling even on uneven ground. All machines undergo periodic inspection of work equipment under the Working Conditions Decree and are delivered with a valid inspection sticker. Which operator competence is required for use and how to document it is explained in the guide to the IPAF operator licence.

Rental costs differ mainly by performance class, less by brand. As a guide: a Manitou MRT 2660 (6 t / 26 m) costs around 495 euros per day; for five days the rate drops to around 325 euros per day, and per month to around 4,750 euros. A more compact Merlo Roto 40.16 (4 t / 16 m) is significantly lower: around 380 euros per day, around 255 euros per day for five days, around 2,980 euros per month. The prices quoted are guide values for standard equipment; transport, insurance and additional equipment are calculated separately for each order.

For projects with frequent attachment changes and a desire for digital support, the Magni RTH is the obvious choice. If you work long shifts on confined sites and value ride comfort, Merlo Roto is the better-suited system. And if you operate on unpaved or steeply sloping ground, you benefit most from the four-wheel drive and steering technology of the Manitou MRT. In practice, it is often not the brand alone that decides, but the combination of performance class, attachment and terrain requirements – the Luibl Rental team advises you on the right match for your specific project.

Which brand has the greatest lift height in the rental fleet? Currently, Magni's RTH 6.39SH reaches the greatest lift height in the Luibl Rental roto range at almost 39 metres, followed by Manitou and Merlo with models up to around 34 to 35 metres.

Do the attachments differ by brand? No. Winch, basket, pallet forks, buckets and grabs are available regardless of the manufacturer.

Which brand is best suited to rough terrain? With consistent four-wheel drive and flexible steering modes such as crab steering, the Manitou MRT performs best on unpaved or sloping ground.

Is one brand safer than another? No. All roto telehandlers in the rental fleet have a load moment limiter and variable outrigger systems, and all undergo the same periodic inspection of work equipment under the Working Conditions Decree.

Can I rent different brands for one project at the same time? Yes, this is common with combined offers for large construction sites, for example when different performance classes or terrain requirements have to be covered at different locations simultaneously.

The Luibl Rental team answers questions about the right brand and performance class for your project during service hours, Mon–Fri, 08:00–17:00.

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