Description

Manitou MLT 845 120 LSU 2011 Operators Manual

The Manitou MLT 845 120 LSU 2011 Operators Manual is the factory-issued book that must stay in the cab of your telehandler. I’ve seen guys trust a greasy photocopy or a obtained summary from some forum – then wonder why they overloaded the boom or missed a critical fluid check. This is the real thing: 164 pages of Manitou’s own instructions, straight out of West Bend, Wisconsin. It covers everything from rough terrain safety standards to the welding precautions you need before you strike an arc anywhere near the frame.

Rough Terrain General Safety Standards – Page 3

Page 3 of this manual lays out the Rough Terrain Forklift Truck General Safety Standards. That’s not a suggestion – it’s the legal baseline for operating this equipment. The document breaks it into five sections for the company manager: the site, the operator, the lift truck, the instructions, and the maintenance. Then it gives the operator a separate set of rules, including preamble, general instructions, operating instructions unladen and laden, load handling, platform operation, and even radio-control use. If you skip this section, you’re betting your safety on memory. Bad bet.

Maintenance Schedules and Lubricant Specifications

The third part of the manual is the maintenance section. It starts with general instructions, then moves into lubricant and fuel levels, hydraulic system checks, electrical system precautions, welding restrictions, and washing procedures. The servicing schedule is lettered A through G – from daily or every 10 hours all the way up to every 2000 hours and occasional maintenance. You’ll find the exact filter cartridges and belts listed, plus the recommended lubricants and fuel. Without this schedule, you’re guessing when to change the hydraulic oil. Guessing costs you a transmission or a pump.

Load Charts, Dimensions, and Tire Specs

Section two of the manual gives you the characteristics of the MLT 845 120 LSU: front and rear tires, dimensions, and load charts. These charts tell you the rated capacity at every boom angle. Loading a machine without consulting that chart is how booms break and people get hurt. The manual also shows the towing pin and hook locations and describes optional equipment. Know what your machine is rated for before you lift a pallet of concrete blocks.

Electrical and Hydraulic Schematics – Factory Originals

Attached to this operators manual are the full electrical schematic for the MLT 845 and the hydraulic schematic. These aren’t redrawn by a third party – they’re the original Manitou PDFs. They show connector positions, component positions, fuse and relay positions, and splice locations. If you’re diagnosing an electrical fault or tracing a hydraulic line, this is the only map you should use. I’ve wasted billable hours on aftermarket diagrams that missed a ground. Don’t do that. Manual Transmission related wiring is covered in the electrical section; the hydraulic schematic shows the control valve layout. Operators who understand these diagrams can spot a problem before it becomes a tow-in.

Instructions for the Company Manager and Operator

The first pages of this manual are split between management and operator responsibilities. The company manager instructions cover the site layout, operator qualifications, lift truck condition, and maintenance oversight. The operator instructions start with a preamble and then walk through every phase of operation. There’s even a section on prolonged storage – preparing the I.C. engine, protecting the lift truck, and bringing it back into service. If your machine sits for months, that chapter alone is worth the price of the manual.

This isn’t a repair manual – it’s the operator’s book. But anyone who services these machines should own it. You need to know the factory torque specs for wheel nuts? They’re in the characteristics section. You want the correct engine oil viscosity for winter operation? Check the lubricants page. Manitou MLT 845 120 LSU 2011 Parts Catalog pairs with this operators manual for ordering the right filters and belts. If you’re working on the diesel engine, K-D Manitou D 2876 LE 401-405 Operators Manual – OEM Marine Diesel and K-D Manitou D 2866 TUE Operators Manual – Factory Specs & Procedures cover those specific power units.

One more thing about authenticity: this is the original factory document, not a reprint or a composite. Manitou printed it in March 2011 – the release date is on the title page. The copyright notice says the text and illustrations cannot be reproduced. That’s because they put effort into making this accurate. Aftermarket manuals cut corners; they redraw schematics from memory and guess at load limits. You don’t guess on a rough-terrain forklift. Use the real thing.

I’ve torqued enough head bolts to know that skipped steps kill machines. The manual walks you through the start-up checklist, daily service, and every interval up to 2000 hours. If you follow it, your MLT 845 120 LSU stays reliable. If you don’t, you’re on your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this manual include repair procedures for the engine and transmission?

No, it’s an operators manual focused on safe operation, daily checks, and routine maintenance. For major repairs, you need the service manual and the Manual Transmission overhaul guide.

Is this manual exactly the same for the MLT 845 without the 120 LSU suffix?

The 120 LSU denotes a specific configuration – likely the high-lift, heavy-duty variant with different load charts and hydraulic specs. Using a manual for a different MLT 845 model could give you wrong load capacities or incorrect fluid capacities. Manitou issued this manual specifically for the 120 LSU. Stick with the correct part number. The catalog number is 51900003 – verify that on your unit before you rely on any data. One mismatch can turn a routine operation into a hazard. Always confirm the model plate on your machine matches the manual.

If you operate or maintain a Manitou MLT 845 120 LSU, get the factory documentation. Access the Factory Manual from AutoRepairManuals and keep it in the cab. Your safety, your machine, and your liability depend on it.