plant hire - head to head
JLG Industries vs Manitou
Both makes turn up on the same shortlists, and the honest answer is that they are built for different buyers rather than one being better than the other. Here is what actually separates them - from a directory that sells neither.
| JLG Industries | Manitou | |
|---|---|---|
| Built in | United States | France |
| UK availability | Widely available - large UK network | Good UK dealer coverage |
| Range covers | boom lifts, scissor lifts, telehandlers, low-level access | Telescopic handlers, Rough-terrain forklifts, Access platforms |
| Best known for | 450AJ | MT telehandler range |
Choose JLG Industries if...
JLG Industries, founded in Pennsylvania in 1969 by John L. Grove, is one of the two dominant global manufacturers of boom lifts, scissor lifts and telehandlers alongside Genie. Its booms and scissors form a large share of major UK powered access hire fleets. Contractors and access hire companies specify JLG where diesel boom lift reach and outdoor terrain capability are the priority.
Look at: 450AJ, 1930ES
Full JLG Industries profile →Choose Manitou if...
A telehandler specialist cross-shopped directly against JCB Loadall and Merlo. Strong in agriculture as well as construction, which widens who hires one.
Look at: MT telehandler range
Full Manitou profile →Where to hire or buy either
Most UK plant hire companies carry several makes and advertise none of them, so the practical move is to find the firms covering your area and ask what is on the yard.
JLG Industries vs Manitou - common questions
Is JLG Industries better than Manitou?
Neither is better outright - they are built for different buyers. JLG Industries, founded in Pennsylvania in 1969 by John L. Grove, is one of the two dominant global manufacturers of boom lifts, scissor lifts and telehandlers alongside Genie. Its booms and scissors form a large share of major UK powered access hire fleets. Contractors and access hire companies specify JLG where diesel boom lift reach and outdoor terrain capability are the priority. A telehandler specialist cross-shopped directly against JCB Loadall and Merlo. Strong in agriculture as well as construction, which widens who hires one.
Which is easier to get hold of in the UK, JLG Industries or Manitou?
JLG Industries: JLG booms and scissors form a large part of UK national hire fleets including Briggs Equipment and AFI-Rentals. Manitou: Established UK dealer network, common on construction and agricultural sites.
Can I hire rather than buy?
Yes. Most UK plant hire companies hire as well as sell, and many carry several makes without listing them. Search by your area and ask what they have on the yard.
Other comparisons
GetBrent is an independent directory and is not a dealer for, nor affiliated with, either manufacturer. Brand and model names are the trademarks of their owners, used here only to identify the products they refer to. Specifications vary by model year and market - confirm weights, dimensions and towing limits with the supplier before hiring or buying.