Description

Manitou TMT55, TMT55HT, TMT55T3 2011 Operators Manual

If you’re running a Manitou TMT55, TMT55HT, or TMT55T3 and you don’t have the 2011 Operators Manual in the cab, you’re already behind. I’ve seen too many guys try to “figure it out” with a generic off-brand PDF and end up with a bent mast or a hydraulic line that blew because they skipped a pre-start check. This isn’t a service manual – it’s the operator’s bible for daily use, safety, and basic maintenance. 103 pages of what Manitou wanted you to know before you fire up the engine.

General Safety Standards: What This Manual Covers

The first section – General Safety Standards, pages I through VIII – covers the kind of stuff that keeps you from getting crushed or burned. It includes the exact locations of safety decals (page VIII lists them), the proper PPE requirements, and a reminder that this manual must stay in the lift truck. That’s not a suggestion; it’s a legal requirement for OSHA compliance in most shops I’ve worked with. Missing a decal? The manual shows you where it goes and what it means. No guesswork.

7 Safety Decals and Their Locations

Seven specific safety decals are documented in the manual, with diagrams showing exactly where each one must be mounted on the rough terrain forklift. If a decal is worn, faded, or peeled off, you order the replacement using the part numbers listed in the manual. Don’t rely on memory – I’ve had operators put a “no step” decal where a “load capacity” decal should be. The factory layout prevents that.

Operating and Safety Instructions – Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of the manual – “Operating and Safety Instructions” – runs 20 pages of step-by-steps for starting, driving, loading, and shutting down. It covers the manual transmission engagement sequence (the TMT55 uses a synchronized shuttle shift; you need to know the neutral lock-out procedure to avoid grinding gears). Page numbers aren’t everything, but the torque values for wheel lug nuts appear in the maintenance section – use them. Don’t just “tighten until it feels right.” That’s how you lose a wheel on a rough site. For a deeper dive into Manual Transmission fundamentals, you can reference outside info, but this manual gives you the Manitou-specific data.

Does the Manual Cover Maintenance?

Yes, and it’s broken into a separate chapter – “Maintenance” – starting on page 3-3. That chapter covers daily checks, fluid levels (engine oil, hydraulic oil, transmission fluid), filter intervals, and the correct grease points for the mast chains. It also lists the approved lubricant specs – use 15W40 diesel oil for the engine, and for the hydraulics, only a certain viscosity grade. Don’t substitute. The manual calls out the Manitou part numbers for filters and belts. That matters because aftermarket parts can vary in thread pitch or flow rate. You want the OEM filter for the hydraulic return line – it has a higher bypass pressure.

Mounting the Lift Truck: Follow the Factory Sequence

There’s a specific section titled “Mounting the Lift Truck” on page 4-3. This isn’t about bolting on a fork carriage; it’s about how to safely enter and exit the cab. Three-point contact. Handholds. Foot placement. It sounds basic, but I’ve been to safety meetings where people broke an arm slipping off a muddy step. The manual shows the factory-approved grip points. If you’re training new hires, photocopy this page and hand it out.

TMT55T3 Operators Manual: Why This 2011 Edition Matters

The 2011 edition is the latest update from Manitou Americas, based in West Bend, Wisconsin. It replaced an earlier version that had a few errors in the electrical routing diagram. This one corrects them. If you’re working on a TMT55 with a Tier 3 engine (the T3 variant), the emissions-related shutdown procedures are critical – miss a regeneration cycle and you’ll clog the DPF. The manual details the dash warning lights and what triggers a forced regeneration. That kind of info you won’t find in a reprint manual from some third-party site. Speaking of which, if you need the companion document for a different model year, check the MANITOU TMT55/HT/XT 2012 Instruction Manual or the Manitou TMT55FL/HT/XT Operators Manual. For marine applications, there’s also the K-D Manitou D 2876 LE 401-405 Operators Manual – OEM Marine Diesel – different engine family but same safety philosophy.

Who Needs This Manual?

This Operators Manual is for the guy who runs the forklift every day, the foreman who does the pre-shift inspection, and the shop owner who wants to avoid liability from an accident caused by improper operation. It’s also for the DIY mechanic who bought a used TMT55 from a government auction and needs to know the fluid capacities (hydraulic tank: about 20 gallons; fuel tank: 27 gallons). If you’re a home-garage enthusiast, you’ll appreciate that the manual uses imperial units – pounds, feet, gallons – no need to convert from metric. And the wiring diagrams are factory, not redrawn by some intern. For more background on Manual Transmission theory, that’s separate. This manual is about the specific machine.

Source Authenticity: OEM vs Aftermarket

This is a direct scan of the original 2011 operator’s manual published by Manitou Americas. Catalog number 51900010. The file name shows it was produced 10-2011. It’s not a photocopy of a photocopy – the decal illustrations are crisp, and the torque tables are readable. I’ve seen aftermarket versions that rearrange the table of contents or leave out the safety decal reference section. That’s a lawsuit waiting to happen. Always buy the OEM document. This one comes as a PDF, so you can print it, put it in a binder, and keep it in the glove box. Or load it on a tablet in the cab. Your call.

How do I know this manual covers the TMT55T3 model?

The cover page lists TMT55, TMT55HT, and the T3 variant. The 2011 edition includes the Tier 3 engine procedures.

I bought a used Manitou and some decals are missing. Can this manual help me order the correct replacements?

Yes. The safety decals section (page VIII) lists each decal by its part number and shows its exact position on the lift truck. You can reference those part numbers when calling your Manitou dealer (262-334-6653 for parts). I’ve done this myself for a TMT55HT – the decal for “load capacity at 24-inch load center” was missing near the mast. The manual gave me the number, I ordered it, and it matched the hole pattern perfectly. Don’t try to use generic decals – the load rating numbers are specific to your machine’s capacity, and mislabeling could get someone killed. The manual also tells you how to apply them (clean surface, temperature range, etc.). That level of detail is why you need the OEM document, not a third-party reprint.

You’re not going to find a factory operators manual for these Manitou models with this level of completeness from a random forum. This is the real deal – the same document that came with the machine when it rolled off the line. If you’re running a TMT55, TMT55HT, or TMT55T3 and you want to stay safe, operate correctly, and avoid costly downtime because you missed a fluid check, you need this on your workbench and in the cab. Access the Factory Manual and put it to work.