JCB Rolls Out New Products

Last week we joined a massive gathering of international trade press journalists, who descended on JCB’s World Headquarters in Staffordshire, to witness the manufacturers latest new product reveal.

We will be reporting on this event in more detail in a future edition of Earthmovers Magazine, but I feel it’s only right to briefly take a look at some of the highlights here on the Digger Man Blog.

SINGLE DRUM ROLLERS

Quite literally rolling into the arena in front of the grandstand, were a number of brand-new JCB EU Stage V diesel powered, single drum soil compactors, including two smaller models the VM58D and VM78D, which have operating weights of 5.4-tonnes and 7.1-tonnes respectively.

The larger VM118D which was launched last year, is joined by the larger VM128D and the VM138D, which according to the manufacturer, extends JCB’s leadership in this competitive area of the compaction market.

NEW BACKHOE LOADER

The JCB backhoe loader is of course an iconic product, so it came as no surprise to see that they were launching a new cost-effective 3CX Sitemaster model, which they suggest has been designed to boost the market and to give the next generation of business owners an affordable way to buy their own machine for just £55,000.

Financed through JCB Finance, this machine could cost the owner just £271 per week.  

Key features of the machine include:

• JCB 3.0 Litre Stage V, 55kW (74hp) engine, no requirement for DEF (Adblue)
• 1.0 cu.m. 6-in-1 shovel with integrated forks
• Sideshift with extending dipper
• Seat mounted servo excavator controls
• Single servo loader controls with de-bog functionality
• Return to Dig loader functionality
• Air conditioning and LED work lights
• Livelink for maximum security and maintenance monitoring

NEW COMPACT ADT

A return to the articulated dumptruck market is well and truly on as JCB previewed the new two -axle 715.

Previous generations of this machine were well liked by customers, and many of them are still out there putting in a shift on a daily basis, so this will be a welcome return to the compact ADT sector.

The 715 tips the scales at 9,320kg. With a Hardox 450 reinforced steel bottom as standard, the dump body has a heaped capacity of 7.1m3, delivering a payload of 12,750kg.

The new truck is powered by a proven JCB 448 Stage V diesel engine, delivering 129kW (173hp). This drives through a JCB 8-speed auto powershift transmission with active torque lock. This eliminates torque converter losses, enabling direct drive for maximum traction on the steepest of slopes. JCB has opted for heavy duty ZF axles with differential lock to transmit the 690Nm of engine torque to the ground through the stickiest of mud.

The compact ADT boasts a maximum travel speed of up to 40kph, enabling fast efficient loading cycles when productivity is key.

We were shown a prototype version, but we expect to see the production model on show at the forthcoming Hillhead show next month in Buxton.

HYDROGEN POWERED BACKHOE

Talking of production models, JCB chose this launch event to showcase the first production model of the 3CX Hydrogen powered backhoe loader which after many years of research and test proving is now available to purchase.

Power comes from the JCB 55kW hydrogen engine which is said to deliver the power and torque of a conventional diesel engine, but with zero-emissions.

JCB has been working on hydrogen engine technology for over five years, investing more than £100 million in the development of the JCB Hydrogen engine and JCB Hydrogen equipment. The company has extensively trialled the technology with customers in working site conditions, across power generation, Loadall telescopic handlers and in the 3CX Backhoe Loader.

Customers working with the machines reported identical power and torque characteristics to their traditional diesel machines, with no requirement for operators to change their way of working or adapt to the new technology. JCB has developed a mobile refueller in cooperation with HYKIT that enables easy, rapid filling on site when required, with none of the lengthy charging times associated with battery electric machinery.

LARGE HYDRAULIC EXCAVATORS

Without doubt the biggest news at the launch was the reveal of not one, but two large X Series hydraulic excavators. Rumour had been rife about the 52-tonne class 520XLC, for some time and we had already seen a version launched into the Indian market. This is JCB’s largest hydraulic excavator ever and it was mighty impressive.

What none of us had expected was a new 42-tonne machine, the 420XLC which is equally impressive.

Since the X-Series launch in March 2018, the machines have been well accepted by customers and the greater industry, and they continue to go from strength to strength. I’m going to save the detail on these for my report in Earthmovers Magazine, so look out for that one.

During the previous evenings dinner event JCB revealed its all new Hydromax - a 32-foot long race car powered by the manufacturers own hydrogen engines. 

The Staffordshire-based manufacturer, which employs more than 20,000 people worldwide, has spent five years developing hydrogen internal combustion engines as part of a £100 million investment. JCB diggers powered by the technology have just started rolling off production lines.

Now, exactly 20 years after rewriting the record books with the JCB Dieselmax car, the company is returning to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah to attempt a new speed record – this time using hydrogen power.

In August 2006, JCB Dieselmax, driven by Wing Commander Andy Green OBE, set a world diesel land speed record of 350.092 mph – a record that still stands. In August this year, Green will once again take the wheel, driving the hydrogen-powered JCB Hydromax. The JCB-led project is being supported by Prodrive and Ricardo.