Following a two-year pause in live events, JCB has presented a trio of new agricultural products during a two-day event held on its Staffordshire estate.
Fastrac iCON control system.
The Fastrac has always been somewhat of a wild card when picking your team. The combination of high road speed, 50:50 weight distribution, automotive ride quality and four-wheel steering has given the range a dedicated group of followers.
There has, however, been a perennial issue the in-cab controls and connectivity.
With the launch of the 7000 series in 2008 and the 4000 series in 2014, IsoBus and guidance connectivity were promised. However, operators have sat tight with a small, low-resolution screen on the B pillar and in-cab controls, which have been left well behind in comparison to its stablemates in terms of user customising and refinement.
The long overdue changes to the operator interface have culminated with a new interior, which brings it in line and ahead of the competition in terms of features and adjustments.
Offered on all models from the 178hp 4160 to the 348hp 8330, the iCON is now a standard fit design and accompanies the series number in the new model nomenclature.
Centred around a 12-inch free-floating HD screen on the arm console, the automotive quality fit and finish is impressive, with four years of development and testing with users to understand their specific needs.
Driving modes allow foot pedal or joystick operation, however some slick programming allows immediate interchanging between the two, giving operators an automotive press-and-go pedal control for the road, and joystick control, similar to a combine or sprayer in the field.
Changing between the two is dependant on which is actuated first, with the joystick having an additional scroll wheel, allowing precise speed adjustments across the full transmission range.
Behind the steering wheel, a new 7in digital dashboard displays speed and engine rpm, along with other vehicle information.
Alongside transmission developments, the new iCON includes JCBs all-new guidance system. Aptly named JCB GPS, the system operates through a Novatel-sourced receiver and offers twin steer on the 4000 series, which provides individual axle steering for precise implement positioning.
Options
Section control and variable rate control are available as options.
Alternatively, a GPS ready option prepares the machine for an after-market guidance system, although a bridge connection will be required.
Spool valves can be assigned to the four proportional paddles plus a second joystick on the console, in addition to the assignable keys on the main stick. Depending on individual settings, the colour illumination changes to match the user preference.
542-70 AGRI Pro Loadall
Set as the flagship model in the popular Loadall range, the new model is positioned above the existing Agri Xtra variant as the fastest and most powerful loadall the company has ever built.
Fitted with a 173hp JCB DieselMax engine and an updated version of the DualTech transmission, offering a road speed of 50kph and uprated hydraulics, outputs of up to 160 litres/min can be achieved.
To account for the increase in performance, the company engineers have made several modifications to the design, including new 10 stud axles with 500mm-wide tyres, revised steering geometry and higher load-rated rims.
Understandably the increase in speed has led to changes in the braking system, with four-wheel braking as standard and optional air braking rear service connections.
Boom suspension and improved shock isolation in the cab mounts should provide a decent higher speed ride.
The existing DualTech transmission, which is effectively a hybrid hydrostatic/mechanical drive, has been modified, giving up to 22kph under hydrostatic drive, and the remaining under direct mechanical drive to the full road speed.
In use, the machine is impressive, with very responsive hydraulics and progressive acceleration.
During the brief drive on JCBs private estate roads, the machine quickly ran up to 50kph and well exceeded this with a gentle downhill run.
Countering the progressive acceleration, the uprated brakes are more than capable of bringing everything to a halt, necessitating the use of the seatbelt.
Adjustments
The ride quality is good, with automatic boom suspension engagement above 4kph. The adjustments made to the steering geometry are noticeable and the machine feels balanced and stable, even at full speed operating in four-wheel steer. Speed is not restricted, depending on the steering mode selected.
Aside from the speed increases, the machine features upgrades to the boom operation, with regenerative cylinders which should improve boom lowering and retraction cycles and an automated bucket shake system.
Engaged through a switch combination on the joystick, it automatically rattles the bucket to help remove stubborn materials, such as well-rotted manure.
Regular drivers will take time to learn to use this feature, but some care needs to be taken to prevent hammering the side of a spreader if loading a narrower bodied unit.
Changes to the cab include optional climate control and a heated and ventilated half leather air-suspended seat.
Current retail for the 542-70 AGRI Pro is 123,000.
457S Wheeled Loading Shovel
The most recent in the line of construction specification shovels to receive the agricultural S treatment is the 457.
The 20-tonne shovel has been designed for AD units, sugar beet rehandling and those moving mountains of muck.
The 6.7-litre, 282hp Cummins-powered machine with 1,200Nm of torque and shod on up to 800mm tyres. This gives it a claimed class-leading 14hp/t power-to-weight ratio.
Changes from an industrial machine have been more than a power boost and lumpy tyres. Updated features include a strengthened and stiffened rear chassis, a reprofiled counterweight with an increased departure angle, alongside a new six-speed powershift transmission with torque converter lock-up.
This allows a top road speed of 48kph and a 20t towing capacity. Trailer air braking is an option.
Two booms are available with lift heights of 4.3 and 4.8 metres to the headstock pivot pin and an optional fourth boom service. Maximum lift capacity is 6t.
In operation, the machine is responsive with good visibility over the bucket or grass fork, and does, perhaps unsurprisingly considering its 20t mass, feel well planted when working or progressing up the clamp.
The operator cab and visibility can be improved with the optional Contactor Pro pack, which includes all-round LED lighting, heated and cooled half-leather seat, twin beacons and a full stainless exhaust.
