Plant specialist JCB has introduced a number of new machines, including the 220X crawler excavator and a seven tonne site dumper.
A brand synonymous with construction plant, it is unlikely that anyone on a housebuilding site would not have heard of JCB – and highly likely that most would have used at least one of the company’s products.
To maintain this broad appeal the company is continually innovating and launching new solutions. PHPD recently visited the company’s HQ in Rocester to see some of its latest machines including the new 220X crawler excavator.
220X crawler excavators
The new 220X crawler excavators are the first models in the next generation of JCB tracked machines for the construction market. The new machines feature a 15% larger global cab with integral ROPS structure – offering reduced noise levels, stronger side doors for greater strength and increased protection and an ergonomically-designed cab with simple user interface. Other features include an upperstructure that is now a full 2.7 metre wide, 200mm broader than their predecessors, and a central main boom mounting for increased digging accuracy and durability.
JCB’s Chief Innovation and Growth Officer Tim Burnhope said: “With the next generation 220X, JCB has moved to a totally new level of product development and machine assembly that will benefit all of our excavator customers. Every detail of these excavators has been examined and perfected, to provide maximum durability and reliability in operation.”
Skid Steer and Compact Tracked Loaders
Celebrating 25 years of skid steer production, the company is launching seven new large-platform skid steer loaders and compact tracked machines. The machines feature a new Hi-Viz boom, which is mounted 50mm lower to further improve visibility from the cab.
JCB Chief Innovation and Growth Officer Tim Burnhope told us: “Twenty-five years ago, JCB’s approach to design turned the skid steer market upside down when we launched our first innovative model. Since then we have proven the safety benefits for the operator by having side entry and, most importantly, the strength and durability of the JCB Powerboom design. We added our first JCB compact tracked loaders 20 years ago and we now have both wheeled and tracked versions of the Teleskid telescopic boom skid steer and tracked loader.”
Mini Excavators: New 15c-1 model
The company is also boosting its mini excavator range, with the launch of the 15C-1, the fourteenth model new since the first of the ‘next generation’ machines was introduced in 2014. Tipping the scales at 1.5 tonnes, the machine has a proven powerful 11.7kW engine and reliable hydraulics together with 100% steel bodywork for maximum impact protection and ease of repair
All ‘next generation’ mini excavators come with 10 tie-down points, positioned on the undercarriage and upperstructure, making it easier to transport the machine whilst reducing risk of damage to rubber tracks.
JCB’s Chief Innovation and Growth Officer Tim Burnhope said: “The all-new 15C-1 will be an important player in the sub-two tonne sector, a segment where more than 50,000 machines were sold globally last year.”
Site Dumper safety enhanced
JCB is also launching a completely new range of site dumpers, designed and built in-house, with capacities from one to nine tonnes. With an industry-wide focus on forward tipping dumpers, the company’s new line-up includes a one tonne high-tip, three tonne front and swivel tip with a choice of transmissions, six tonne front and swivel tip and a nine tonne front tip model. The flagship of the new JCB site dumper range is the Hi-Viz seven tonne model, a new site dumper design.
The 7T-1 Front Tip Hi-Viz model addresses key safety concerns including visibility, stability and operator protection:
- The operator is able to see a 1.4m high object at a distance of 1.0 metre from the machine when laden, and 0.8m height at a distance of 1.0m when unladen.
- The risk of a machine overturn has been reduced, due to the improvement in stability. By increasing the wheelbase, widening the wheel track and lowering the skip height, stability is improved in all directions. The payload centre of gravity is reduced by 16%.
- Operator protection is improved via the fitment of the JCB SiTESAFE cab as standard. The ROPS/FOPS Level II cab features a reinforced frame and impact protective front screen, designed and tested to withstand a front dump impact and side slewing impact from a 13-tonne excavator. A retractable Hi-Viz orange lap belt keeps the operator safe, with a sequenced drive-inhibit system ensuring the lap belt is worn.
JCB Chief Innovation and Growth Officer Tim Burnhope said: “We believe that the JCB site dumper range, led by its flagship Hi-Viz seven tonne machine, offers a safer solution for customers and it is a clear demonstration of JCB’s innovative approach to machine design and development.”
