JCB is displaying 27 new and improved pieces of construction equipment at this year’s ConExpo-Con/Agg. Highlights in the JCB lineup include two new mid-range excavators, their largest excavator to date, a more comfortable backhoe and four new telescopic handlers.
3CX and 4CX backhoes fit the American market
JCB has redesigned their 3CX -14 and 4CX-14 backhoe loaders, increasing the loaders’ breakout force capacity to 14,498 pounds, a 15-percent boost over the current models. The front loader capacity has increased to 9,631 pounds. The backhoe bucket breakout on both models is now 18-percent stronger at 13,701 pounds. Dipper arm breakout, boosted dipper and boom lift capacities have also increased 10 percent. A DieselMax engine delivers 92 horsepower in the 3CX and 100 horsepower in the 4CX.
The front of the loader has a soft front nose section to prevent damage to trucks during loading. A new ‘V’ sided front shovel allows the operator to smoothly transport lengths of pipe. An optional factory-fitted hydraulic thumb attachment provides 7,868 pounds of clamping force. Both models feature improved air conditioning and a 25-percent larger operator seat.
New excavators fill the gap
JCB sees the market for 63,000 -to-73,000-pound excavators growing and is positioning their new JS290 model to bridge the gap between their 57,450-pound JS260 and 73,700-pound JS330 excavators. The JS290 has an operating weight of 63,945 pounds and is powered by a six-cylinder Isuzu engine.
For contractors looking for an excavator in the 50-metric ton range, JCB is showing the JS520. Presented as a concept machine, the JS520 is slated for availability in North America next year. Manufactured at JCB’s Uttoxeter, England, heavy products plant, the 144,600-pound machine is designed for quarry and large infrastructure jobs.
Extending your reach
JCB is also presenting four new telescopic handlers, manufactured at its Savannah, Georgia, facility. The machines have side-mounted engines, servo hydraulic control levers and rear-axle stabilization. The Loadall 506-36 has a lift capacity of 6,000 pounds using an 85-horsepower JCB engine and a working height of 36 feet.
The 100-horsepower Loadall 507-42 lifts 7,000 pounds and the 114-horsepower Loadall 509-42 lifts 9,000 pounds. Both models have a working height of 42 feet and are powered by DieselMax engines.
JCB’s largest material handler is the Loadall 510-56 heavyweight telescopic handler. The Loadall 510-56 has a 10,000-pound lift capacity, courtesy of its 114-horsepower JCB engine, and a working height of 56 feet.
JCB putting down deeper roots in the United States
In January, JCB broke ground on its North American customer support center on its campus near Savannah, Georgia. John Patterson, JCB’s managing director and CEO, sees the new 200,000-square-foot parts distribution and customer support center as pivotal for the company’s growth in the U.S. market.
Using the JCB world parts center in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, England, as a model, the Savannah facility will provide a tight turnaround time for parts distribution to customers in North America, South American and Pacific Rim. The company anticipates the Savannah customer support center will be complete in December, 2009.
Responsibility for increasing JCB’s presence in the U.S. belongs to Larry Ashley, national dealer network development manager. The company’s goal is to secure up to 270 JCB dealer locations in North America within the next five years.
