The Mustang 519 is made in the United States, and the folks from Mustang Manufacturing, Owattona, Minn., make no bones about the fact that this is a lift-and-place machine designed for North America. To accomplish this, special focus was placed on minimizing visual obstructions from the cab. The low-profile box-style boom is nested low to maximize visibility. Even though the engine is side-mounted, it is positioned low, and the hood tapers off to the front of the machine for excellent right-side visibility. Particular attention has been paid to the line of sight to the right front fork. As a material handler, the ability to see the positioning of the forks is a crucial feature.
Limiting the height of the engine pod required tight packaging of the turbocharged, 64-horsepower Deutz diesel engine and related components. All service points are clearly marked and easy to access. Hydraulic system test ports are also located here. A block heater is standard equipment. The underside of the pod has a substantial steel belly pan for protection, and a small hatch allows access to the engine's oil drain plug.
The optional fully enclosed cab, which comes standard with a heater, was on display at the Showcase. The standard open cab comes with rear and side glass, and can be easily converted to an enclosed cab in the field. You can ask for a metal screen on the side glass — an advisable request in hot climates. Since the boom assembly on a pick-and-carry machine can be a little narrower, the cab can be a little larger. The 519's cab is the same size as cabs found on Mustang's biggest telehandlers. The windshield and top glass on the enclosed cab come with wipers and washers. The simplicity of this machine is immediately recognized from the perspective of the operator's seat. Visibility has been given a high priority. A joystick, mounted directly to a full-pressure control valve, controls main-boom functions. Load charts for all potential attachments are also provided. A simple, yet effective, idea is the addition of a starter button. A key enables the starter system, but the button turns the starter. The hope is that this will eliminate keys being broken off in the switch if the engine is hard to start.
Dana axles are mounted with the steering linkage and cylinders top-side for better protection. This also helps deliver a respectable 14 inches of ground clearance.
The 519 features an oscillating axle, and though its movement is small (about 1.5 inches), it allows the unit to work more effectively on slabs and hard surfaces. The machine has zero tailswing, which means the rear of the machine is designed so nothing protrudes outside the track of the tire. If fitted with optional non-marking tires and catalytic diesel scrubber, this would make a great industrial product.
The fuel fill point is hidden behind a lockable steel panel at the rear of the boom. Here you also can access the main extension cylinder. Auxiliary hydraulics and a rotating carriage are options.
For tool handling, the brakes feature an inching valve to allow the machine to drive slowly while maintaining high engine rpm. This is to supply select auxiliary hydraulic attachments. An oil cooler supports the extra demand put on the hydraulic system when using powered tools. The oil cooler is large and is separated from the engine radiator to allow for air flow. The hydraulic oil-fill point is wrapped in a basin that catches any oil that might accidentally spill. A Rexroth two-speed hydrostatic transmission provides drive. To eliminate spinning tires and loss of traction in muddy conditions, select “turtle” mode, and the transmission reduces the drive speed range to zero to 4 mph, while at the same time supplying maximum pump displacement to the driveline.
This may not be a true ground engager, but it certainly can be a great tool handler, as well as an effective material handler.
