Four years in development, JCB’s new Fastrac iCON will make its Irish debut at the FTMTA show.

Punters will be able to get up close to the fresh new interior with a new armrest console and touchscreen display, featuring total flexibility for control allocation, alongside a new transmission control strategy.

The range is finally available with fully-integrated Isobus and JCB’s own GPS guidance, meaning operators can minimise the need for additional in-cab displays. JCB has said that ‘iCON’ will now come standard on all five Fastrac models, from the 175hp entry level 4000 series to the 348hp 8330.

‘iCON’ armrest

The console houses a new main joystick, assignable colour-coded levers which act as electrically operated spool valves, PTO and hitch controls, an auxiliary joystick and hard keys plus an encoder dial as an alternative to using the touchscreen.

The hydraulic functions can be allocated freely to the five main electrically operated buttons and also to a four-way auxiliary joystick with its four buttons and rocker switch. LED coloured backlights now identify which spool valve is allocated to which control.

The 12in touchscreen presents key information on five screens, with the basic run screen layout familiar to current Fastrac users. The electrical infrastructure on the new models caters for optional Isobus control of rear and front-mounted implements, while a fully-integrated GPS guidance system is also available.

JCB’s new 12in touchscreen display presents key information on five screens, with the basic run screen layout design familiar to current Fastrac users.

New transmission options

JCB continues to use the proven AGCO (Fendt) sourced vario transmission, but has made improvements to how its interpreted.

The tractor now features Smart Transmission Control, a new speed-based system that allows operators to set the required forward speed and leave the tractor to do the work of balancing engine speed and gear ratio to achieve that speed under changing load.

JCB are continuing to use the proven AGCO (Fendt) sourced vario transmission, but have made improvements to how its interpreted.

The new joystick also comes with a range of customisable driving options, allowing the operator to configure it as he/she wishes. Joystick and pedal driving modes now no longer have to be pre-selected and are now automatically selected when either control is used.