Description

Manitou MLT 735 -120 LSU Series 4-E3 Operators Manual

I’ve watched a lot of guys get pulled off a jobsite because they treated the operator’s manual like a doorstop. You don’t need to guess how to actuate the hydrostatic drive or which way to rotate the attachment release. This book is the Manitou MLT 735 -120 LSU Series 4-E3 Operators Manual – 132 pages of factory-issued instructions that come straight out of Manitou North America in Waco, Texas. No aftermarket condensation, no generic reprint. Just the original OEM document that the lift truck was delivered with.

Safety Standards: More Than a Sticker

Page I of the manual starts with General Safety Standards. It’s not a paragraph you skip. It goes through rough terrain forklift hazards, load stability, and operator responsibilities. The Safety Messages section (page VII) spells out the words you’ll see on decals – and the decal placement diagrams on page VIII tell you exactly where each warning goes. If someone removed a decal during a repaint, you need that reference. The manual also repeats the full “INTRODUCTION TO SAFETY” section twice in the PDF (pages 2 and 4), which means the factory made sure you couldn’t miss it.

Operating and Safety Instructions – What the Manual Covers

Chapters are laid out by function. The “OPERATING AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS” section runs from page 1-3. It covers startup procedure, steering, braking, and lift controls. Right after that, “DESCRIPTION” (page 2-3) gives you the machine layout – where the hydraulic tank sits, what the dashboard telltales mean, and the capacity plate location. You won’t find wiring diagrams or internal engine specs here; this is an operator-level document. But it does give you the daily inspection checklist and the cold-start procedure for the Perkins diesel that this machine likely uses.

Attachments: Getting the Engagement Right

“ENGAGING THE ATTACHMENTS” is a dedicated section on page 4-3. It walks you through connecting and disconnecting fork carriages, rotators, and side-shifts. I’ve seen guys bend a quick-attach plate because they didn’t follow the sequence in this manual. The steps include locking the pilot-operated check valves, verifying the hydraulic quick couplers are clean, and testing the auxiliary flow before lifting. If you’re swapping attachments multiple times a day, you need this procedure memorized.

Maintenance – The Schedule You Need

The “MAINTENANCE” chapter sits on page 3-3. It lists daily, weekly, and 250-hour service checks: engine oil level, hydraulic fluid level, tire pressure, and brake-fluid condition. Fluids are specified in both US quarts and imperial gallons. There’s a table for lubricant grades – 15W-40 engine oil, SAE 80W-90 for the axles. Operator manuals don’t give you torque specs for head bolts, but they do give you the filter part numbers and the correct grease intervals for the driveline U-joints. Ignoring this schedule is why you’re replacing a $3,000 transmission at 1,500 hours.

Why OEM Beats Aftermarket

I’ve had to debug machines after someone used a third-party manual that mixed up the hydraulic flow direction. This one is printed by Manitou, for the MLT 735 -120 LSU Series 4-E3 only. The part number 547977AS and revision R11-10 are printed on the cover. That’s traceable. If you call Manitou North America Parts Dept at (800) 425-3727 – which is listed in the front matter – they’ll ask for that revision. You can’t do that with a bootleg PDF. For deeper engine or powertrain work, pair this operator manual with a factory service manual like the K-D Manitou D 2876 LE 401-405 Operators Manual – OEM Marine Diesel”>K-D Manitou D 2876 LE 401-405 Operators Manual – OEM Marine Diesel or the K-D Manitou D 2866 TUE Operators Manual – Factory Specs & Procedures”>K-D Manitou D 2866 TUE Operators Manual – Factory Specs & Procedures. The Operating Instructions MAN Industrial Diesel Engines D 2876″>Operating Instructions MAN Industrial Diesel Engines D 2876 also follows the same OEM layout.

This manual references both automatic and manual drivelines. For background on how a Manual Transmission”>Manual Transmission functions, look at an external source. The same goes for the Manual Transmission”>Manual Transmission fundamentals – but trust me, the Manitou book gives you the specific procedure for engaging and disengaging the PTO.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this manual include torque specs for the engine?

No. This is an operator’s manual. It covers safe operation, daily inspection, and basic maintenance. For internal engine or fastener torque values you need the service manual for that specific engine.

How do I order replacement parts using this manual?

Inside the first page you’ll find Manitou North America’s Parts Department contact info: (800) 425-3727 or fax (254) 867-6504. The manual won’t have exploded view diagrams, but it does list filter and fluid part numbers. Give the service rep your machine serial number and the manual revision (R11-10) to get the correct items.

If you own or operate an MLT 735 -120 LSU Series 4-E3, you’re wasting time if you don’t have this manual in the cab. Keep it in the document holder, read the safety decals, and follow the engagement sequence. Access the Factory Manual from AutoRepairManuals and stop guessing.