ECI JCB is in its 33rd year as distributors for the full JCB range of products in Ireland. It distributes the JCB construction, agricultural and industrial ranges exclusively, meaning total dedication to JCB customers with a complete parts and service backup for all JCB machines.

JCB has been making machines for more than 70 years; the company has 22 factories globally, with 11 based in the UK where all the machine components are manufactured. Its extensive product range includes telescopic loadalls, Fastrac tractors, wheeled loaders, wheeled excavators, tracked excavators, mini excavators, rough terrain forklifts, skid steer loaders, Teletruk industrial forklifts, a generator range and finally the JCB range of diesel engines.

On display at the stand this year for the first time will be the new JCB 51r midi excavator. This smaller midi excavator range extends JCB’s next-generation 6t, 8t, 9t and 10t midi excavators, which were released to the market last year.

The range comprises of four additional models, with operating weights of 4.8t to 5.7t, which complement the larger midi excavator ranges already available.

All of these midi excavators are available in three configuration options – conventional, reduced and zero tailswing, allowing customers to tailor their machine to suit its operating environment.

The 51R-1 replaces the previous model 8050ZTS/RTS, and now shares the same design as that on the larger compact excavator range, with such new features as 100% steel bodywork and a four-plate dipper arm construction.

Up front, the redesigned dig end, consisting of a longer main boom and shorter dipper arm, is now 100% bushed, which allows for extended 500-hour greasing intervals. JCB has also revised the pin pick-up points to work with a number of bucket brands, while optional hydraulic or manual quickhitches can be specified for faster attachment changeover.

Inside the new redesigned operator’s cab, it is now 18% more spacious and offers up to 11% more visibility compared with the previous version. Outside the cab, a nice feature is the optional LED work lights that feature a guide-me-home function, which, as the name suggests, provides lighting for three minutes after the machine has been turned off, allowing the operator to avoid potential hazards in the dark and get to safety.

Under the new redesigned wide-opening steel canopies, which help serviceability and access, you will find a choice of Stage IIIA/Tier 4 Interim Perkins engines, or Tier 4 Final engines from JCB by Kohler. The Perkins engine delivers 35.7kW (48hp) and 143Nm of torque, while the JCB by Kohler engine produces 36kW (48hp) and 225Nm.

JCB will also have the new JS131 crawler excavator on display at the Ploughing. This 13t machine replaces the JS130 and comes equipped with a fuel-efficient 74HP JCB Ecomax engine that meets Tier 4 Final emission standards without the need for a complex and costly diesel particulate filter, selective catalytic reduction or any form of exhaust treatment fluid.

Performance from the engine and hydraulic system on the JS131 has been optimised for the ideal balance of power, productivity and fuel economy; this enables the Ecomax engine to achieve a claimed 10% better fuel consumption. The machine uses the same hydraulic pumps and valves as the JS130, tuned to perform with the engine’s output.

The Ecomax engine runs at just 1,800rpm, rather than the higher 2,050rpm of the more powerful 81kW engine in the JS130. This results in reduced noise levels of just 99dB, which is a full 2dB less than the previous model. This makes the JS131 particularly suitable for inner-city construction projects, where site noise can be a major concern.

Also on display at the Ploughing will be the newly released JCB 427 agri articulated loading shovel and JCB 540v-140 telescopic loadall, along with the JCB 531-70 super loadall, JCB TM320 articulated loading shovel, JCB 8026 mini excavator and JCB 6t dumper.

JCB Finance representatives will also be on hand to offer tailor-made packages to suit customers’ individual requirements.

Read more

Full coverage: Ploughing 2016