Magni, Manitou or Merlo? The roto telehandler brand comparison

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

How the designs differ and which rules apply to their use is explained in the telehandler guide.

Unlike simpler machines, roto telehandlers differ not only in their rated values but above all in their 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 in a window front with the basket - this difference can make the difference 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 and an automatic load chart calculation that 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 conventional analogue instruments.

For users who frequently switch attachments or work with changing personnel, this automatic detection reduces the risk of error: the machine does not have to be manually set to the attachment in use. 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 its Roto series, Merlo relies on a different distinguishing feature: driving comfort. The suspended cab significantly reduces vibration when travelling over uneven ground - an advantage that counts particularly during long shifts and frequent repositioning on large sites. At the same time, Merlo Roto models are often more compact than competitor machines with similar performance, which is a practical advantage on urban 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 above all through its chassis. Consistent all-wheel drive combined with several selectable steering modes - including crab steering, where 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 particularly in structural work, on earthworks sites and on projects with changing ground conditions. In the rental fleet, Manitou covers a broad spectrum with models such as the MRT 1840 (entry class, around 18 m) up 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	All-wheel drive, crab steering
Ideal for	Frequent attachment changes	Long shifts, narrow access	Unpaved/sloping ground
Lift height in rental fleet	up to approx. 39 m	up to approx. 34 m	up to approx. 35 m
Load capacity in 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 divided into four performance classes. The compact class covers up to 18 metres lift height with around 4 tonnes load capacity and is suitable for 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 a 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 limit the attachments available. Whether winch and load hook for use as a site crane, a basket for installation and maintenance work, pallet forks for transporting materials at height, or buckets and grabs for bulk material - all these attachments can be rented from Luibl Rental regardless of the chosen manufacturer. Those who switch attachments regularly benefit particularly 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 permanently 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 by an external technical inspection body (EDTC/SECT) and are delivered with a valid inspection certificate. The operator qualification required is explained in the guide on the IPAF operator card.

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; over 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 over five days, and around 2,980 euros per month. The prices stated 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 need for digital support, Magni RTH is the obvious choice. If you work long shifts on confined sites and value driving comfort, Merlo Roto is the better-suited system. And if you work on unpaved or steeply sloping ground, you benefit most from the all-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 ground conditions - the Luibl Rental team will advise you on matching the machine to your specific project.

Which brand has the highest lift height in the rental fleet? Currently, Magni reaches the highest lift height in the Luibl Rental roto range with the RTH 6.39SH 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? Manitou MRT performs best on unpaved or sloping ground thanks to consistent all-wheel drive and flexible steering modes such as crab steering.

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 periodic inspection by an external technical inspection body (EDTC/SECT).

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

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

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