Description

Manitou MLT 840-115 PS, MLT 840-137 PS 2012 Operators Manual

If you’re running a Manitou MLT 840-115 PS or MLT 840-137 PS, you need this Manitou MLT 840-115 PS, MLT 840-137 PS 2012 Operators Manual on your machine. I’ve seen too many guys try to run these telehandlers by feel, and that’s how you end up with a load on the cab or a hydraulic line blown. This isn’t a repair manual, it’s the operator’s bible – 142 pages of factory procedures, safety rules, and maintenance schedules that keep the machine working and you out of the hospital. The manual came from Manitou BF in France, dated 11/09/2012, part number 647269 US. Every piece of it is written for the guy who has to get the job done without guessing. You want to know the charge pressure? It’s in there. You want to know what filter goes where? Page 1 tells you where to start, but the whole structure is laid out so you don’t skip steps.

Operating and Safety Instructions – The Foundation

The manual opens with chapter 1, Operating and Safety Instructions, starting on page 1. It splits into two audiences: the company manager and the operator. If you’re the owner or supervisor, you need to read the part about the truck’s suitability for the job, adaptation to environmental conditions, and the legal requirements for lift trucks in France (though most of it applies anywhere). The operator section goes through everything: before starting, driving, stopping, handling loads, platform operation, and even radio-control usage. Each subsection is numbered – A through I for load handling – so you can find exactly what you need. The manual is obsessive about warnings: whenever you see the symbol, it means your safety is at risk. I don’t care if you’ve been driving telehandlers for twenty years; read this section before you move the machine. Page 5 has the complete list of instructions for handling a load, including taking up a suspended load and traveling with it. That’s the stuff that kills people if you get it wrong.

Maintenance Schedule: Every 10, 50, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000 Hours

The servicing schedule is in section 647269US_3. It breaks down into daily (every 10 hours), then steps up through 50, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, and 3000 hours. If you’re a shop owner, this is the part that keeps your fleet out of the repair bay. The manual includes filter cartridges and belts, lubricants and fuel specs, and a start-up checklist. You don’t get to guess what oil grade to use; the manual specifies it. For the MLT 840-115 PS and MLT 840-137 PS, the hydraulic system, electricity, and welding precautions are all documented. I’ve seen guys wire up a light bar and fry the ECU because they didn’t check the manual for electrical load limits. This book stops that. It also covers placing the jib safety wedge – fitting and removal – which is a step I’ve watched people skip because they think they’re fast. The manual tells you exactly how to wedge the jib before you go under it. That’s not a suggestion.

Characteristics and Load Charts – Know Your Machine

One of the most useful parts is the Characteristics section. It lists the MLT 840-115 PS and MLT 840-137 PS separately, with front and rear tires, dimensions, and load charts. If you’re picking up a load with the stabilizers or on tires, the load charts tell you the maximum weight at different boom angles and heights. The manual also covers the longitudinal stability indicator and transverse attitude. I’ve had to pull a tipped-over telehandler out of a ditch because the operator didn’t check the load chart. The manual is 142 pages, but the load chart pages alone are worth the price of admission. Also included: the towing pin and hook, instrument and controls, and a description of options. If your machine has an option like the radio-control, there’s a whole subsection on how to use it and what protective devices are built in.

Why Factory OEM Documentation Matters for This Manitou

Aftermarket manuals are garbage for these machines. They reprint generic information and leave out the French road traffic rules, the EC declaration of conformity, and the exact safety plate locations shown on page 647269US_2. This is the original OEM document from Manitou – the same one that shipped with the lift truck. The manual says it’s an integral part of the lift truck and must stay with the machine when resold. That’s the level of specificity you need. The wiring, the hydraulic circuits, the welding instructions – all are written for the actual parts on the truck. I’ve wasted billable hours chasing a problem that turned out to be a wrong specification from an aftermarket source. Don’t do that. Keep this manual in the storage space on the truck, and if you lose it, access a fresh copy. Related manuals you might need: MANITOU MLT 840/1040 Parts Catalog, K-D Manitou D 2876 LE 401-405 Operators Manual – OEM Marine Diesel, K-D Manitou D 2866 TUE Operators Manual – Factory Specs & Procedures. For external reference on basic drivetrain concepts, see Manual Transmission and Manual Transmission on Wikipedia.

3 Reasons to Use the Factory Manual for Maintenance

First, the servicing schedule is date-stamped and part-numbered. Second, the lubricant and fuel levels are specified for the MLT 840-115 PS and MLT 840-137 PS specifically. Third, the manual includes a maintenance logbook – you can record every service. If you ever sell the truck, that logbook adds value. The manual also covers long-term storage: preparing the truck, protecting the engine, and bringing it back into service. Disposal instructions for recycling metals, plastics, rubber, and glass are there. Environmental protection for worn parts, used oil, and used batteries is included. This isn’t just an operator manual; it’s a complete lifecycle document.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this manual cover both the MLT 840-115 PS and MLT 840-137 PS models?

Yes. The manual includes separate characteristics sections for each model, including load charts, tire specs, and dimensions. All operating and safety instructions apply to both.

Can I use this manual for repair work?

This is an operator’s manual, not a service manual. It covers daily maintenance, safety, and operation but not engine rebuilds. For repairs, you need the separate service manual or parts catalog. The start-up checklist and filter specs are here.

What safety information is included for handling suspended loads?

Pages 647269US_1 cover taking up and laying down a suspended load, traveling with a suspended load, and platform operating instructions. It details the risks of swinging loads, stability calculations, and the use of stabilizers. The manual emphasizes that you must never lift people without an approved platform. That section alone takes about 10 pages of step-by-step precautions.

Is this the original factory manual?

Yes, this is the OEM document published by Manitou BF in 2012. It carries the part number 647269 US. No aftermarket reprint. The PDF is a direct scan of the factory print.

You need this manual on your truck or in your shop. Access the Factory Manual and put it where you’ll actually use it – in the cab or on the bench. Don’t rely on memory or a faded photocopy from the previous owner. The OEM specs are here, and they’re correct. Get it.