Manitou has been ordered not to produce telehandlers featuring a patented JCB productivity device.

A preliminary injunction was handed down at the Court of the First Instance in Paris, meaning that Manitou cannot manufacture, sell or lease telescopic handlers equipped with the patented feature.

Manitou claimed in a statement following the ruling that the patented LLMC control system in question was incorporated in certain models that were discontinued in August 2017 and are no longer produced by the company.

The patented feature is called Longitudinal Load Moment Control (LLMC). JCB has this feature patented in its Loadall telescopic handlers.

Monitor

During operation, a number of sensors monitor the weight being retained on the rear axle. If the sensors detect the rear axle weight is reducing past a preset threshold, then the system gradually locks out the hydraulics to prevent further weight being transferred from the rear axle to the front, avoiding the machine tipping forward.

JCB has said the court has ordered Manitou to pay costs in the case

To allow operators to drive continuously without any loss of productivity, JCB’s patented feature automatically disengages the device while the machine is moving.

This feature prevents JCB’s telehandlers unnecessarily locking out the hydraulics and giving false indications of instability when the machine is simply re-handling or travelling over rough ground. JCB has said the court has ordered Manitou to pay costs in the case.

Manitou has appealed the preliminary injunction order.