This paper studies the non-linear dynamics of a soft magneto-elastic Cartesian manipulator with large transverse deflection. The system has been subjected to a time varying magnetic field and a harmonic base excitation at the roller-supported end. Unlike elastic and viscoelastic manipulators, here the governing temporal equation of motion contains additional two frequency forced, and linear and non-linear parametric excitation terms. Method of multiple scales has been used to solve the temporal equation of motion. The influences of various system parameters such as amplitude and frequency of magnetic field strength, amplitude and frequency of support motion, and the payload on the frequency response curves have been investigated for three different resonance conditions. With the help of numerical results, it has been shown that by using suitable amplitude and frequency of magnetic field, the vibration of the manipulator can be significantly controlled. The developed results and expressions can find extensive applications in the feed-forward vibration control of the flexible Cartesian manipulator using magnetic field. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.