JCB puts on a show in the quarry

by Nick Drew | Tue 23 Sep 2014

JCB puts on a show in the quarry

During the recent press event in Staffordshire JCB put on an impressive display of its products in the company’s own quarry, which included a number of its latest products in addition to a wide variety of attachments.

First to roll into camera range was the Tier 4i/IIIB emissions compliant JCB JS145W wheeled excavator which was displayed with the factory fit option of a Steelwrist tiltrotator. The unit was initially displayed with a set of pallet forks, carrying a stillage of bricks to demonstrate the attachments versatility, before switching to a Steelwrist Swedish style grading bucket.

Next to enter the arena was the new JCB 457 wheeled loader which we got our first glimpse of at the Hillhead show earlier this year. This machine features the all new JCB CommandPlus cab which offers improved visibility, lower noise levels, increased internal space and an enhanced working environment for the operator.

The JCB 457 is powered by a 7.7-litre MTU Tier 4 Final engine, delivering 193kW (258hp), up from 186kW (250hp) on the previous machine, despite the smaller engine capacity. Perhaps more importantly, the engine delivers this increased output at lower rated engine revs, cutting fuel consumption, noise and emissions.

Stage right and it was time for a bit of tree surgery from another Tier4i/IIIB emissions compliant wheeled excavator in the form of the JS175W which was equipped with a tree shear, which are becoming increasingly popular attachments these days.

Another machine which was displayed at Hillhead was the new replacement for the outgoing JS290 the all-new JS300. This model is powered by a 216hp (161kw) six-cylinder Isuzu engine which is Tier 4i/IIIB compliant which is said to offer a 5% saving in fuel consumption over the outgoing model.

The fuel efficient engine drives a twin variable displacement pump hydraulic system, controlled by JCB’s Smart Control work mode dial that automatically adjusts the working mode as the operator increases engine rpm. This, along with an on-demand hydraulically-driven cooling fan, results in the aforementioned fuel saving, with a drop in exhaust emissions.

JCB say that the machine retains its class-leading breakout and lifting forces and when equipped with a 2.5m dipper arm and a standard 6.2m monoboom the JS300 delivers a bucket digging force of up to 253.6kN and a maximum dipper arm crowd force of 173.1kN. However the excavator is equipped with a new tipping link geometry that provides an increased vertical wall digging depth, adding to the versatility of this powerful 30 tonne machine.

The JS300 uses the latest JCB cab structure, with increased soundproofing and enhanced structural rigidity. In combination with the on-demand cooling fan this contributes to reduced internal noise levels of just 70dB(A). The excavator features JCB’s latest high specification operator’s seating and a 7” full colour multi-function LCD display that is easy to read in all light conditions, while revised switchgear makes it easier to operate the machine.

Standing proudly above the demo area and forming a “guard of honour” were a trio of JCB long reach machines including the impressive JS360LR model.

Lookout for more JCB highlights on the Digger Man Blog soon, including a couple of rarities we encountered during our visit.

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