A battery-powered agricultural telehandler has taken the Machine of the Year title at the 2026 National Ploughing Championships, Farmers Journal reported on 16 September 2026.
The judging panel selected the Manitou MLT 625 e after comparing machinery at the event. Reporting published on 16 September says the judges particularly noted its similarity in dimensions, capacity and performance to the established diesel version.
The award gives electric handling equipment another useful moment in the spotlight. It does not, however, mean that battery power will suit every farm or every telehandler duty cycle.
Before replacing a diesel machine, a business needs to understand when the telehandler works, what it lifts, where it travels and when it can reliably be charged.
What is the Manitou MLT 625 e?
The MLT 625 e is a compact agricultural telehandler with a stated maximum capacity of 2,500kg and maximum lifting height of 5.9m.
Manitou’s current UK specification lists:
- A 34.8kWh lithium-ion battery
- A 40kW drive motor
- A 30kW hydraulic motor
- A 9kW charger
- Maximum travel speed of 20km/h
- Four-wheel drive and several steering modes
- Overall width of 1.81m and height of 2m
- Unladen weight of 4,762kg with forks
- ROPS and FOPS Level 1 cab certification
The manufacturer positions the machine for environments including livestock buildings, greenhouses, equestrian yards and nurseries, where compact dimensions, low noise and the absence of exhaust emissions at the machine may be useful.
These are manufacturer specifications. Usable running time, charging speed and performance will vary with the work, attachment, travel, temperature and charging supply.
Six checks before choosing an electric telehandler
1. Record the real working day
Do not assess suitability using engine hours alone.
For several representative weeks, record:
- Start and finish times
- Actual operating hours
- Long idle periods
- Distance travelled between yards or fields
- Time spent lifting, loading and pushing material
- Attachments used
- Seasonal peaks
- Opportunities to stop near a charger
A machine used intensively through harvest or silage may present a different case from one completing short feeding, bedding and pallet-handling sessions around a yard.
The question is not simply whether the battery lasts an average day. It must cover the demanding days that the farm cannot postpone.
2. Test the charging arrangement
The award coverage quotes the manufacturer’s representative as saying that the machine can regain approximately 10% charge per hour from a single-phase supply and 25% per hour from three-phase charging.
Treat those as quoted figures to verify for the exact UK machine, charger and electrical installation.
Before ordering, establish:
- Where the telehandler will normally be parked.
- Whether the available supply supports the required charger.
- Who will design and install the charging point.
- Whether the cable can be protected from vehicles, livestock, water and physical damage.
- How charging will fit around cleaning and maintenance.
- What happens during a power cut or unplanned long shift.
The charging position should not create a trip hazard, block an emergency route or encourage cables to be run through unsuitable extensions.
3. Compare complete lifting requirements
A 2,500kg maximum capacity does not mean the machine can lift that weight at every boom position.
Capacity changes with boom extension, lift height, attachment, load centre and machine configuration. Obtain and study the correct load chart for each planned attachment.
List the heaviest real jobs, including:
- Fertiliser and seed bags
- Feed pallets
- Wrapped or large square bales
- Muck and silage handling
- Bulk bags
- Materials handled at maximum reach
If a regular task sits close to the machine’s limit, arrange a demonstration using a representative load and attachment rather than relying on the headline capacity.
4. Review every attachment
The Health and Safety Executive’s telehandler guidance warns that fitting an attachment can alter a telehandler’s characteristics and lifting capacity.
Confirm that each bucket, fork carriage, grab, bale spike or clamp is compatible with the machine and suitable for the task. Operators need the correct capacity information and training for the attachments they use.
Attachments should be inspected and maintained. Isolation devices and locking systems must be used as the manufacturer specifies.
Never use a bucket or forks to lift a person. HSE guidance says people should only be raised using equipment designed for that purpose or, in limited circumstances, a suitable purpose-made carrier under the applicable rules.
5. Plan visibility and pedestrian controls
Changing the power source does not remove the main hazards associated with telehandlers.
The boom, cab structure and carried load can restrict the operator’s view. HSE guidance advises keeping windows and mirrors clean, positioning loads so they do not block visibility and using additional precautions where the operator cannot see clearly.
A quieter electric machine may also be less noticeable to pedestrians in a busy yard. Do not depend on engine noise as a warning.
Review routes, doorways, crossings, reversing areas and livestock movements. Separate people and machines where reasonably practicable, and use a competent signaller only where a planned system requires one.
6. Keep the legal and maintenance controls
An electric telehandler remains work equipment and lifting equipment.
Training, authorisation, pre-use checks, planned maintenance and the appropriate thorough examinations still apply. Safe working loads and configuration information must remain legible and available to the operator.
Add battery condition, charging equipment and cable inspection to the maintenance system, but do not neglect tyres, steering, brakes, hydraulics, attachment locking, cameras, mirrors and warning devices.
Any damage, warning message or unexpected loss of performance should be investigated under the manufacturer’s instructions. Staff must know how to isolate the machine and who is authorised to work on its high-voltage system.
Protecting the cab and operator environment
Electric drive does not stop mud, feed, oil, wet clothing and livestock dirt entering the cab.
A suitable removable cover can reduce direct exposure of the original upholstery and make routine cleaning more manageable. Farm Packs supplies heavy-duty telehandler seat covers in high- and low-back formats.
Choose a cover using the actual seat shape and confirmed cover dimensions. It must not obstruct the seatbelt, presence sensor, adjustment controls, suspension, heating or other safety equipment.
Seat protection supports cab care; it does not replace inspection, training or safe operation.
Prove the duty cycle before buying
The MLT 625 e award shows that battery-powered machinery is moving beyond prototypes and into familiar agricultural formats.
Its compact size, lower operating noise and lack of tailpipe emissions may make it attractive for indoor and yard-based work. The business case still depends on the individual farm.
Measure the real shift, verify the charging supply, test representative loads and check every attachment. A supervised demonstration through the farm’s hardest routine is more valuable than comparing specification sheets alone.
This article provides general information and does not replace a suitable risk assessment, competent training, current official guidance or the manufacturer’s instructions.
Sources
Farmers Journal: Electric Manitou scoops Machine of the Year 2026 at Ploughing — 16 September 2026
Manitou UK: MLT 625 e technical specifications — accessed 17 September 2026
HSE: Telescopic materials handlers in agriculture — accessed 17 September 2026
HSE: LOLER in agriculture — updated 20 September 2022
