• From idea to the first working prototype, how long did this innovation take to develop?

It took 12 months to reach the first working prototype of the Manitou Smart Weighing System - SWS innovation through a short cycle with an iterative process involving a group of selected end-users from day 1.

• If the innovation is yet to go into production, what is the target in regards to sales numbers and which markets to target?

The Manitou Smart Weighing System - SWS has already been tested during more than 950 hours with real machines & applications by 25 different selected end-users in 5 different countries (dairy farmers, beef farmers, AG cooperatives & grain stocks, AG contractors, AG nutritionists).

Sales target is confidential but we expect between 5 to 15% of our eligible telehandlers to be equipped with the SWS option when it will become available on the market, depending on countries, applications and telehandler models.

• Has the development of this innovation included any thought to the environment and does it meet safety standards? (800 words max)

Environment is a strong and sustainable focus at Manitou Group. 

The Manitou Smart Weighing System - SWS innovation allows various customer profiles (farmers, cooperatives, grain stocks, AG contractors) to better control their feed rations, track their loadings and analyze their weighing data :

• it lowers feed excess (environment) 
• it reduces trailers overload (safety)
• it decreases fuel consumption (environment)

• Would there be any use for this innovation outside of agriculture?

Yes, the Manitou Smart Weighing System - SWS can also be used in construction and industry markets to track loadings & monitor storages.

• Is this innovation a solution to a short term problem, or will it continue to provide end-user benefits for years to come? (400 words max)

The the Manitou Smart Weighing System - SWS innovation provides short, medium and long terms gains to the operator in terms of:

• user-friendliness (integrated in the existing 7” display, quick tare process)
• productivity (static/dynamic weighing, measure of the load wherever inside the load chart, integrated feed rations)
• profitability (weighing precision means less waste, so better profitability of the equipment)

• Description

MANITOU presents its new and unique Smart Weighing System - SWS innovation.

• The customer challenge
• In the Agriculture & Agro-industrial markets, customers often need to measure the quantity of handled material (feeding, bulk, bales) with both accuracy & productivity.
• The existing weighing systems usually require:
• additional screen in the cab decreasing visibility & ergonomics,
• calibration for each attachment increasing complexity,
• static weighing in a single and constraining position lowering productivity.

• The Manitou solution
• The Manitou Smart Weighing System - SWS solution is a fully integrated weighing system, which is more connected, productive and user-friendly than existing weighing systems.
• More than weighing, the SWS aims to provide strong business added value to  various customer profiles (farmers, cooperatives, grain stocks, AG contractors)

• Control the feed

• Track the loadings

• Monitor the storage

• Analyze the weighing data

• The SWS solution is both available in factory fitted option and aftermarket option (retrofit).

• The customer benefits

• productivity

• static/dynamic weighing with +/- 2% accuracy
• manual and automatic data recording (based on configurable boom angle)
• measure of the load anywhere inside the load chart (with telescop in/out)
• integrated feed rations co-designed with AG nutritionists (13 rations, 44 ingredients)

• safety, ergonomics, easiness of use

• reduced risk of trailers overload
• intuitive control through the integrated in-cab 7” screen (unified user experience for all functions)
• no attachment calibration required thanks to a quick tare process
• unlimited number of attachments
• permanent weighing data visibility even with camera view on display
• in-cab QR code to access SWS tutorial videos

• technical design

• ability to install the SWS in factory fitted option or aftermarket option (retrofit)
• 4 weighing modes (basic, cumulative, target, feed) and 2 counting modes (basic, target)

• integration of digital features, connectivity

• in-board data dashboard integration in machine interface
• off-board data dashboard integration in myMANITOU app
• storage management per ingredient/material
• activity tracking (rations, ingredients)

• environmental impact

• reduced feed excess 
• decreased Fuel consumption