JCB, the world’s number one telescopic handler producer, has further strengthened its range of highly productive farm materials handling machines with the introduction of three new Loadall models and enhancements for existing models that save time and fuel.
The 525-60 Agri becomes the smallest model in the range for North America, bringing full-size telehandler performance and features into the compact sector, with an engine that needs no exhaust after-treatment to meet EPA Tier 4 Final emissions. Its heavier lifting cousin, the 527-58 Agri, is powered by JCB’s advanced Ecomax T4 Final engine, which is also installed for the first time in other Loadall models for the North American market with outputs of 109 hp, 125 hp and 145 hp (81 kW, 93 kW and 108 kW).
The Ecomax T4 Final engine uses a space-efficient, ‘one can’ SCR system; together with fuel system recalibration, the new power unit has potential for up to 5% fuel economy gains.
The new heavy-lift champion in the range is the Loadall 560-80 Agri Super, which builds on the success of the 550-80 Agri Plus with a further increase in lift capacity for greater productivity in repeat-cycle loading and re-handling applications.
In addition to these new models, JCB has significantly enhanced existing Loadall telescopic handlers with innovative hydraulic, control and comfort features that make them even more productive, economical and easier to use.
JCB Agriculture Managing Director, Richard Fox-Marrs, said: “JCB now has a Loadall range that covers the entire spectrum of modern agricultural needs. We believe these products will help accelerate the acceptance of telescopic handlers for farming applications in North America, as operators come to appreciate their advantages as highly versatile, highly productive machines.”
“The JCB Agriculture team can draw on the considerable resources of the JCB Group and is focused on the needs and priorities of farmers and custom operators,” says Richard Fox-Marrs.
“Most of us come from farming backgrounds, we understand farming and we speak the farmers’ language. We know what’s important to them in their daily use of machinery and that means we can offer the right equipment with the right specification for high productivity agricultural applications through the dedicated agricultural dealer network we’re building in key areas of the United States.”
The newly expanded eight-model range of Loadall telescopic handlers available in North America is built on an engineering heritage that dates back to the 1970s when JCB launched its first telescopic handler into the agricultural market. That was a pretty basic machine with large front drive wheels, small rear steering wheels and the most basic of cabs for the operator.
In contrast, today’s Loadall is built on a high-tech assembly line at JCB’s headquarters & manufacturing plant in England with well-appointed cabs, safety systems that reduce the risk of roll-over accidents, efficient hydraulic systems operated under fingertip control by a servo joystick, and powered by one of the industry’s most advanced diesel engines, built at the JCB Power Systems factory.
Today’s Loadall look is more stylish – yet also more purposeful. It sits square on equal size
wheels and tires that emphasize the four-wheel drive traction and multi-mode four-wheel maneuverability, and the high reaching but low-slung boom affords that operator far better all-around visibility than earlier machines.
Loadall 525-60 Agri
The all-new 525-60 Agri compact telescopic handler replaces the existing 524-50 and 527-55 rear-engine designs with a thoroughly modern side-engine layout and a low boom pivot for exceptional rear three-quarters visibility. Lift capacity is 5,500 lbs (2,500 kg) from ground level and 3,000 lbs (1,360 kg) can be raised to the 20 ft (6.09 m) lift height.
Measuring just 6 ft 3 in (1.95 meters) to the top of its spacious cab and only 6 ft 10 in (1.84 meters) over the tires, the newcomer will slot into the smallest of buildings and work with ease around ‘traditional’ and modern farm yards. Its short wheelbase provides the ultimate in four-wheel steer agility.
The two-stage hydrostatic transmission provides working and travel speed ranges up to 18 mph (30 kph) while ensuring the 525-60 Agri is easy to drive. With the Varispeed option, the operator can dial in a forward speed that will be held regardless of engine revs – ideal for operating hydraulically-driven implements like a rotary yard brush or an auger feeding bucket.
Latest engine technology is also evident in the shape of a 151 cu in (2.5-liter) JCB Diesel by Kohler compact four-cylinder motor developing 74 hp (55 kW). Service-free emissions control – there is no diesel particulate filter or SCR – is to Tier 4 Final standard with the promise of improved economy, not only compared with the handler's predecessors but also versus competitive machines.
Likely users in the hog and poultry sectors and dairy, beef and other livestock units will appreciate the spacious cabin, which JCB engineers have successfully installed from the Loadall 527-58 Agri without having to heavily offset the boom or compromise the driver’s elbow room. Particular attention has been paid to rearward visibility - sight-lines have been carefully considered and the low boom pivot is at a seated driver's waist height, so the view to the right rear three-quarters is exceptional.
Other features drawing on technology from bigger handlers include a 24 gal/min (90-liters/min) variable displacement pump hydraulic system with flow sharing (so two functions can be used at once); a proportional control joystick; and auto alignment of the wheels when switching between steering modes.
Auxiliary venting is fitted as standard, allowing operators to couple attachment hoses up with ease, while the wide-core radiator and hydraulic reverse fan removes built up debris from the cooling package. Operators will also appreciate the innovative 'Bucket Control System' function that automatically shakes the bucket or fork to discharge sticky materials.
The two-stage boom, designed for durability and trouble-free service, comes with the option of Smooth Ride Suspension and fast handling and loading cycle times thanks to the advanced hydraulic system. It all adds up to an exceptional specification for a machine of this size.
Loadall 527-58 Agri
Installing JCB's high-performance Ecomax T4 Final engine into the Loadall 527-58 Agri has made a good telescopic handler even better.
Power is up 9% at 109 hp (81 kW) and torque is increased by 3.3% compared to the Tier 3 engine. The electronic management of the engine's high-pressure common rail fuel injection system delivers improved economy with excellent power and torque characteristics that are exploited by partnering the engine with a new electronically-managed version of the hydrostatic transmission.
This optimized powertrain results in a machine that responds more eagerly to the accelerator pedal and makes best use of the engine's generous torque output for greater productivity when clearing out livestock sheds or working on a stockpile of yard manure in the field.
A host of other features and benefits are also evident on this new version of the Loadall 527-58
Agri, including a restyled cabin with a 3.5 in TFT instrument display to provide an improved operator interface, and a variable speed cooling fan for reduced noise, improved efficiency and better airflow through the engine bay. Performance figures remain the same – 5,952 lb (2,700 kg) lift capacity and 19 ft (5.8 m) lift height.
Loadall 560-80 Agri Super
The new JCB Loadall 560-80 Agri Super models cater to large farms and commercial bulk storage enterprises wanting higher productivity for stockpiling and loading of trucks.Powered by a 125 hp or 145 hp (93 kW or 108 kW) version of the JCB Ecomax T4 Final diesel engine, the newcomer has a range-topping lift capacity of 12,000 lbs and is available with the option of a new 6.5 cu yd (5 cu m) bulk handling bucket from JCB's comprehensive AGRI range of attachments and front-end implements. A 6-speed transmission incorporating a torque converter with torque lock in 5th and 6th gear and seat mounted servo joystick for fingertip control are also part of the 560-80 package.
With increased capacity to 25 ft 9 in (7.9 m) full-height lift of 6,613 lbs (3000 kg) and increased forward reach capacity of 3,858 lbs, (1750 kg) the new high-performance machine combines brawn with the versatility of a two-stage telescopic boom. A broader boom nose and heavy-duty implement carriage are designed to cope with arduous handling applications, while the Z-bar linkage, similar to a loading shovel, converts hydraulic power into break-out force as high as 15,000 lbf (6800 kgf) for fast bucket filling. The Z-bar linkage design also provides an excellent dump angle for rapid load discharge.
536-60 Agri to 560-80 Agri
New productivity features on all but the three smallest machines in the eight-model agricultural range available in the United States include pioneering regenerative hydraulics, a system that allows more rapid hydraulic cylinder retraction. Installed on the Loadall 536-60, 541-70, 560-80 and high-lifting 535-95, the system retracts and lowers the boom faster for quicker work cycle times.
With the standard 37 gal/min (140-liter/min) load-sensing piston pump, boom lowering time is now as quick with the engine on tick-over as it was on previous models when high engine speed was needed to get the oil flowing faster.
The net result is that operators can dump a load and get the boom down for the next bucketful faster; fuel savings of more than 4% and a 19% improvement in productivity have been calculated on re-handling operations.
Use of hydraulic cylinder end-stroke damping, which acts as a ‘cushion’ to eliminate the harsh impact that otherwise occurs at either end of a hydraulic ram stroke, is being extended to minimize load spillage and improve the operator's experience.
All agricultural Loadall handlers benefit from end damping on boom retract and lift cylinders, and added refinement comes with a new version of JCB's Smooth Ride Suspension system that can be switched to engage automatically when the machine is moving.
With previous versions, the machine had to be stationary with the boom lowered to the ground to allow the system to engage but that is no longer necessary. Instead, the operator can switch between modes on the move, selecting ‘on’ for full-time Smooth Ride Suspension when working at low speeds, ‘off’ to provide precise boom positioning control for pallet work and when attaching an implement, and ‘auto’ for speed-related engagement.
Operators will also appreciate the innovative 'Bucket Control System' function that automatically shakes the bucket or fork to discharge sticky materials or progressively discharge materials from a bucket. Instead of the operator repeatedly rocking the joystick side-to-side, the shaking action and its intensity is determined by proportional movement of the control joystick.
When the time comes to change attachments, a new button in the cab can be pressed to release pressure from the auxiliary hydraulic service and a powerful LED lighting package is available for increased illumination around the machine.