UK’s favourite size excavator gets the X-Factor

by Nick Drew | Tue 06 Aug 2019

UK’s favourite size excavator gets the X-Factor

Re-visiting one of my articles previously published in Earthmovers Magazine, brining it to life here on the internet, un-edited and with alternative photos from the Digger Man Blog archives.

It has been just over a year since the dynamic launch of JCB’s all new X Series excavators in the shape of the 22-tonne class 220XLC. It’s fair to say these new models have made a big impact on the market and have been widely acclaimed as a vast improvement over the previous JS range. It certainly appears that the 4 year's of development and the £110m investment has paid off. It's also reassuring to hear that operators and customers out in the field were heavily consulted as part of that early research period, after all, nobody knows better about what these machines need to be capable of than the guys and girls who occupy the seat day in day out! According to JCB around 60% of excavators sold into the UK market are in the 13/16 tonne weight class and that statistic doesn’t really surprise me, after all these machines are pretty often the first ones to arrive on site and more often than not, one of the last too leave, such is their versatility.

The 13 tonners were always my favourite sized machines to operate on site as they present you with a much wider range of work, more often than not, something to keep those grey cells working and they are without a doubt the housing groundworkers favourite choice of excavator too. It was fitting that a year on from the initial launch of the 220XLC JCB rolled out the latest 3 models in the X Series range, the 131XLC, 140XLC and the 150XLC. The 131XLC replaces the JS131LC and features the lower powered 55kw (74hp) JCB EcoMax engine which requires no AdBlue, making it the perfect fit for the rental sector. The 140XLC and 150XLC take their place in the line up replacing the outgoing JS130LC and JS145LC models, the new machines will still take their power from the 81kw (108hp) JCB EcoMax engine. On the day of our visit to JCB’s test quarry I took the chance to spend some time around and on the 14-tonne class 140XLC to see what makes it tick.

Perhaps somewhat randomly, cosmetically one of the first things I noticed on the stylish looking 140XLC was the pressed metal JCB logo which is now mounted centrally on the counterweight. Previously on the 220XLC this logo was presented as a decal, but the pressed metal version really stands out and I felt a wave of nostalgia rush over me as it reminded me of the way the JCB logo used to be presented on the old 3C backhoe loaders back in the day.

The counterweight itself, just like its 22-tonne larger brother, features the purpose designed in-built impact points on the corners, where accidental damage often occurs especially when novice operators are involved, these points, in theory are designed to take any impact so that the rest of the counterweight survives unscathed. For those engaged in the demolition sector side impact protection can also be specified as was shown on the 150XLC. Coming around to the rear offside panel door, it’s the usual fare that we come to expect on a modern-day excavator, with all the fluid filters nicely located in the one area, all accessible from ground level and with a tap to turn off the fuel flow when changing the fuel filter, making the whole process cleaner and environmentally friendly. Another nice touch within these compartments is the optional LED convenience lighting package ideal for servicing during dark mornings or at night after the shift has finished. Also lurking in the back there is the heart of the machine the all new larger Japanese Kawasaki hydraulic pump.

An LED convenience light is also added to the upper-structure by the steps to light up the AdBlue filler point if this option is taken, once again very handy for the operator filling up with DEF during hours of darkness.

On the opposite side behind the panel door we discover the cooling packs, battery storage, electrical isolation switch and a small screen wash bottle.

The engine oil dipstick and water coolant levels are not accessible from ground level, so you would still need to head up onto the upper-structure to perform your daily checks, however JCB have fitted decent sized anti-slip footplates and substantial grab handles to assist the operator. Having said that the monitor offers the operator feedback on fluid levels, but I’m sure for many of us, old habits die hard, I know I would always be happier to check visually first for my own peace of mind. The incredibly spacious 2.5-metre wide CommandPlus cab is the same as is fitted on the 220XLC and to facilitate this these smaller machines have been designed 80mm wider, that’s a width of 2619mm on the upper-structure and track frame width of 2690mm when fitted with standard UK spec 700mm track pads.

I raved about the cab on the 220XLC test drive, on this occasion I had more time to fully appreciate all the good things about this all new cab design. I sat back and took a good look around once more. The first thing you notice is how roomy it is inside, no feeling of claustrophobia in this cab, JCB say its some 15% larger than the old JS cabs and I have no reason to doubt that having spent a good number of years operating JS models. I won’t go into details on all the individual buttons and dials again but all that needs to be said is that every thing an operator could possibly ever need is supplied in this cab and selecting the various options is so much more-simpler than on previous JCB excavators. All the aforementioned buttons and dials fall nicely to hand on the right-hand side command pod console, without any need to overstretch to reach them, its just all so intuitive. I was treated to the luxury all singing, all dancing, heated and cooled Grammer suspension seat which is a completely new design for the X Series machines and is one of the three seat options.

I was also delighted to hear that these machines have been fitted with an all new heater box unit which is apparently a lot lighter than the old version. We were shown the two units side by side and there is a considerable difference in size and design, I know from experience that the old units gave some trouble by springing a leak allowing anti-freeze fumes to fill the cab on the old JS models, so I was very pleased to hear that this set up has been upgraded massively.

The 7-inch full colour monitor displays a whole host of settings and the operator can access them by using the multi-functional toggle dial on the console to his immediate right, another 140XLC at the demo quarry was fitted with a Leica GPS system and its display screen was mounted above the standard JCB monitor, as reported previously its expected that in time JCB will fit a second screen dedicated to GPS systems. The start up procedure on the old JS could be time consuming, this has been addressed on the X Series and you can have the machine up and running within two seconds without having to press any additional buttons. I pressed the start button and just like on the 220XLC before it, I was amazed at how quiet this 14-tonner was inside the cab, however they measure these things, JCB suggest that in cab noise has been reduced by 68% compared to the old JS models, its just 67dB(A) inside the new machines, some 5dB(A) lower than the previous machines.

I lowered the hydraulic isolation lever and cranked up the throttle dial, raised the boom and the machine came to life, once again there is very little noise in the cab, so much so you could hold a good conversation with someone in close proximity very easily with the engine running it’s that environmentally friendly! The machine purred away as I dragged up a pile of stony material, it was doing the job perfectly adequately but I felt it could do with just a bit more power, nothing unusual for me, pressing the throttle dial gives you just that little bit more rpm that makes a big difference in how these machines perform.

Photo Courtesy of RPA Media. Following a wet morning the sun had now come out and it was getting a bit on the warm side inside the cab. On this example I was able to deploy the air conditioning and make myself really comfortable but I do note that once again on this size JCB excavator climate control is an optional extra, so its worth your while to specify that at your time of order. Having dragged up a pile it was time to test this machine’s grading credentials, this is where quality of the combined Japanese components really shows, the Kawasaki pump working in conjunction with the Kayaba valve block works like a dream, producing great results when performing fine trimming work, in addition for lifting works like lowering manhole rings and pipes into a trench box, the smooth and precise controls are absolutely spot on.

Photo Courtesy of RPA Media. A lot of work has gone into fine tuning these blue-chip components alongside the fitment of larger pipe bores which has greatly improved the flow sharing capabilities, for example, when operators are using a number of different movements together. If I had to find one fault in the 140XLC for me it felt very light on the back end, the standard full bucket over the side test confirmed this as even with a relatively small grading bucket full of material it was easy to un-stabilise it, more weight on the back would sort this issue out though.

Photo Courtesy of RPA Media. In both the slew and travel departments the 140XLC is a lively beast, throwing material behind me I made good use of the 13.1 rpm slew speed and when tracking in the levelled stone a top track speed of 6.6km/h was achievable and effortless for this cracking 14-tonner. These new X Series machines certainly appear to be of top-drawer stuff and the hefty investment is paying off. I must also say throughout the X Series journey, I have been very impressed with the enthusiasm and knowledge expressed by young product specialists Harry Mellor and James McMillan, who must be commended for their passion and commitment to this exciting new range. I for one, look forward to the next models which will follow in due course.

The magazine for owners + operators

Digger Man Blog

UK’s favourite size excavator gets the X-Factor

Loads more

Behind the Scenes with the JCB Dancing Diggers

Gravis Robotics Autonomy Here and Now!

Hidromek Goes from Strength to Strength

Subscribe to Earthmovers