A new range of agricultural JCB Loadall telescopic handlers has been launched featuring increased lift performance, improved safety, and driver comfort, and the all-new next-generation Command Plus cab designed primarily with agricultural operators and owner-drivers in mind.

The new cab, which is a remarkable 50% quieter, is the result of detailed engineering and ergonomics studies, and an unprecedented program of end-user consultation, to meet the visibility, comfort, control and practical demands of discerning operators.

It is roomier, has a neater control layout and provides considerably more dedicated storage space. Visibility to the front wheels and beyond has been transformed by the low-set dash panel and by 14% upwards to a raised bucket or fork by uninterrupted glazing that sweeps up and over the operator’s head.

The new Series III telescopic handlers are the culmination of a succession of significant product upgrades over the past six years that have reinforced JCB’s technology, performance and fuel-efficiency lead in the telescopic handler market. The latest round of improvements adds class-leading cab interior space, noise levels, climate control, and all-round visibility.

New features include:

• All-new Command Plus cab – more spacious, better visibility, quieter, greater comfort
• Increased lift performance for all 6, 7 and 9.5m models in the telehandler line-up
• Optional Chassis Sway hydraulic leveling at the front axle for precision load placement
• In-cab and external pressure relief for attachment change-over
• Distinctive new color scheme, ‘Loadall’ and ‘JCB’ branding but the familiar overall appearance

JCB Telehandlers

Just over 40 years ago, the JCB telescopic handler introduced farmers to a revolution in mechanized materials handling and through successive technical innovations in JCB engines, Smart Hydraulics, and advanced transmissions, the telehandler has continued to deliver outstanding productivity, performance, durability, and cost-efficiency.

The latest phase of the telescopic handler’s development is focused firmly on the agricultural operator, with the all-new Command Plus cab that is quieter, wider and longer, with an improved driving position, controls that are easier to locate and use, and an instrument display that is larger and more informative.

Finally, the Command Plus design brings a transformation in forwards and upwards visibility that sets new standards for operator productivity, safety and driving ease.

The New Agricultural range of telehandlers

The new Series III JCB telehandler range comprises three new models with up to 200kg of increased load capacity over their predecessors. The 7 meters 532-70, the 542-70 and 560-80. The heavy-lift, bulk handling 560-80 with 8 meters lift height and 5.5-tonne lift capacity remains the same.

There are AGRI (including AGRI TorqueLock 4), AGRI Super and AGRI Pro variants as before, providing a choice of features and equipment levels, and options covering LED lighting packages, towing hitches and front-end implements from the extensive JCB AGRI range of attachments.

Power units are unchanged – the 4.4-litre and 4.8-litre JCB EcoMAX engines serve up a choice of 81kW, 93kW and 108kW (109hp, 125hp, and 145hp) outputs.

But there is a new 40kph TorqueLock 4 powershift transmission with four-speed torque converter lock-up for the 81kW (109hp) engine to provide more performance and better fuel economy when traveling and towing than the regular 30kph four-speed transmission.

The six-speed JCB Torque Lock auto powershift and unique JCB DualTech VT hydrostatic/powershift transmissions, which are both capable of 40kph, continue unchanged.

Command plus cab

Apart from the distinctive new color scheme and branding, the most obvious change distinguishing the latest Series III Loadall telescopic handlers is the Command Plus cab, which beyond initial production will be manufactured in a brand-new £50 million ($22.5million AUD) JCB Cab Systems factory being constructed near other JCB manufacturing and assembly plants in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire.

Features of the new cab include:

• JCB Driver’s Command Position promoting common control themes across JCB products
• Adjustable push-away steering column for easy entry and exit with working position memory
• One-piece multi-radius curved glazing that combines the windscreen and roof window
• Fully-clad interior raises quality feel and cuts noise level by 50% for best-in-class 69dBA
• Longer and wider dimensions resulting in a 12% increase in size for best-in-class cab volume
• Four wipers sweep 92% of the front/roof glass to maintain visibility when wet, muddy or dusty
• New air conditioning and optional auto climate control with a set-and-forget temperature setting
• Optimized air distribution with windscreen, driver or both selection and rapid demist/defrost
• Purpose-engineered rubber door seals and cab frame profile to minimize noise and dust
• Larger, more informative digital instrument display; controls grouped by related functions
• 60% more dedicated storage space including a lift-out bin for documents, tools, food, and drink
• Phone holder, Bluetooth, integrated mic and speakers for hands-free calls and entertainment

Ergonomic studies

The new cab design embraces the JCB Driver’s Command Position philosophy, which has been defined after extensive ergonomic studies to provide operators of all shapes and sizes with a comfortable driving position that helps them work efficiently and with less fatigue over a long working day.

It sets out optimum positions for seating, ventilation outlets and airflow, and the form and position of vehicle instruments and controls. Apart from optimizing operator comfort and efficiency, this approach helps standardize the working environment of JCB’s many products so that operators working with JCB telescopic handlers, wheeled loaders and tractors feel at home in a familiar setting and can find and use controls more easily.

When operators climb aboard a new-generation telehandler they will find the same adjustable Dynamic Tilt-Away steering column, the same ventilation layout, and the same function-grouped switches as on the JCB Fastrac tractors and wheeled loaders. That familiarity makes it easier for operators to find their way around the multitude of controls needed on modern machinery.

All-round visibility

In designing the new Command Plus cab, JCB engineers have built on the Loadall telescopic handler’s renowned all-round visibility – especially to the right side thanks to the low set boom and compact engine cover – by focusing on the operator’s view forwards and upwards to optimize productivity, safety and ease of operation.

A single-radius sheet of curved glass would have been the simplest solution but was rejected because it brought the windscreen too close to the driver’s face. So JCB opted for a more sophisticated solution – a multi-radius design that maintains a sense of spaciousness behind the wheel without distorting the view out and provides a continuous field of vision from the low-set bottom edge of the glass to the top edge above the operator’s head.

Angling the crossbars of the internal FOPS grille contributes to a 14% increase in upwards and four wipers and washer nozzles keep 92% of the glass clear of rain, dust, and dirt, with a fifth wash/wipe cleaning the rear window.

Logical control

The latest telehandlers use the familiar electro-hydraulic joystick to operate the boom and attachment, transmission forward/reverse and auxiliary hydraulic supply to the boom end. The joystick is mounted either to the right of the driver’s seat or on the air suspension seat itself.

The previous array of rocker switches has given way to clusters of durable rubber membrane switches.  Most of these are located alongside the joystick together with a rotary selector dial to navigate menus and select functions on the new tablet-like instrument display that ‘floats’ in front of the right-hand cab pillar.

On AGRI Pro versions with the DualTech VT hydrostatic/powershift transmission, the individual electric engine speed and ground speed controllers used for Flexi Mode are now paddle switches mounted at the end of the armrest for easy fingertip operation.

Heating, cooling, and ventilation

The only controls remaining in front of the operator are for the air conditioning, which now has an automatic climate control option. The ventilation system is completely new with a 10% increase in airflow volume performance.

A rotary dial sets the required temperature and there are rubber membrane switches to regulate fan speed, select airflow to the feet, body, and face and/or windscreen, and to recirculate the air in very dusty or odorous environments.

An ‘auto defrost’ switch configures the system to clear all cab windows of condensation or frost 66% faster than before so that work can get underway at the earliest opportunity. The new cab features a stable door – a priority according to operators who like plenty of fresh air while working.

Storage and connectivity

Recognizing the practicalities of operating one of the most-used vehicles on a modern farm, the telehandler designers paid plenty of attention to storage within the cab, which now has a large lift-out bin located behind the seat for documents, light hand tools, and the operator’s lunch bag.

There are bottle and drinks cup holders – the latter with a drain to the outside to deal with slops and spills and shallow trays at the rear adjacent to 12v and USB ports for charging devices and connecting to the multimedia system.

A dedicated mobile phone holder above the new 7-inch tablet-like instrument display positions the device where it can be used for satellite navigation guidance, and for hands-free calls using the Bluetooth connection, a microphone integrated into the right-hand cab pillar cladding and two speakers behind the operator.

Familiar appearance

Although the latest telescopic handlers have a new color scheme and branding elements, the overall appearance remains reassuringly ‘JCB Loadall’.

The bonnet enclosing the mid-mounted JCB EcoMAX engine and its compact exhaust after-treatment system is now all yellow to align with the rest of the JCB agricultural equipment range and carries a waistline stripe displaying the model identity.

Permanent ‘JCB’ branding appears for the first time, pressed into the side of the lower engine cover and on to the service access panel at the back of the machine.

Source: JCB