Abstract: The present invention features a universal, manned, material handling vehicle. The material handling vehicle is capable of operating in a manned mode, a wire guidance mode, and a rail guidance mode. This manned material handling vehicle contains a steering management control system having a logic program which allows the vehicle to adapt itself to different wire control systems. That is, particular parameters, frequency and amplitude of the underlying wire guidance system can be determined. In this manner, the manned vehicle is universally adaptive to a wide variety of wire guidance systems. When in manned operation mode, should the vehicle receive a wire guidance signal, the system controller will be duly informed. When in wire guidance operation mode, should the vehicle lose or fail to receive a clear wire guidance signal appropriate to guide on, it will automatically revert to the manned operation mode. The steering management control system also monitors the weight and height of the vehicle's load.