JCB Tier 4 Final Skid Steers and Compact Track Loaders offer improved fuel economy, enhanced operator controls.

JCB will show two machines from its 17-strong line-up of skid steers and compact track loaders at this year’s American Rental Association (ARA) Show—the 300T and the 205 models.

The 300T model compact track loader from JCB’s large platform range features the company’s own Tier-4-Final Ecomax engine. This engine uses up to 9% less fuel than the previous Dieselmax engine while achieving Tier-4-Final emissions standards without the need for any exhaust gas after treatment. The engine change also signals a move to electro-hydraulic controls for the large platform models, which also benefit from improved cooling and air filter service life with active scavenging, reduced fuel consumption, an optional powered quick-hitch and a reversing cooling fan. 

A model from JCB’s small platform range, the 205 skid steer features a fuel-efficient, Tier 4 Final engine from Kohler’s Global Power Group. Like JCB’s Ecomax engines, the water-cooled Kohler Direct Injection (KDI) engines — which is branded JCB Diesel by Kohler — also meet the next stage of emissions regulations without the need for a DPF.

The main features of both machines include:

* Up to 10% improvement in fuel economy -

* Extended air cleaner service life

* Auto idle feature for additional fuel savings

Increased Fuel Economy

All large platform machines are now powered by the Tier-4-Final JCB Ecomax engine, using up to 9% less fuel than the previous Dieselmax engine, which was itself up to 16% more efficient than some competing machines. The JCB Ecomax engine achieves Tier-4-Final emissions standards without the need for any exhaust gas after treatment, reducing ownership costs for JCB customers. The engine also allows JCB designers to maintain the high visibility and unique “Powerboom” for which the JCB skid steer and compact track loaders have become renowned.

Kohler Global Power Group’s fuel-efficient Tier 4 Final engines now power JCB’s small platform range—135, 155, 175, 190 and 205 skid steers and 150T, 190T and 205T compact tracked loaders. The engines meet all JCB standards with 500-hour maintenance intervals available on all models. Strong, low-rpm torque characteristics will result in improved machine performance and added engine response, delivering improved productivity for JCB customers.

The large platform skid steers and compact track loaders are equipped with a new air filter design that features a high-efficiency active scavenging pre-cleaner, allowing JCB to extend air filter service life up to 500 hours depending on application. A reversing fan is also available as an option for machines working in particularly dusty environments.  The reversing fan reverses the air flow to remove any debris build up that may have accumulated on the protective grating over the cooling pack.  It will automatically run every 30 min or can be overridden manually.   In addition, the skids steers and compact track loaders include an auto idle feature for further fuel savings.     

Operator Control

The large platform loaders feature the electro-hydraulic control levers already proven on the small platform machines. The system offers the operator three levels of response, from slow modulation for fine trimming work, to faster and more responsive controls for digging and loading work. The electronic control system also allows companies the option of specifying H-pattern controls rather than the standard JCB ISO pattern. This will improve integration in mixed fleets where operators have experience with alternative control patterns.

An optional power quick-hitch permits faster attachment and bucket changes, reducing downtime. Larger models, including the 300 and 330 skid steers and the 300T and 320T compact track loaders, are equipped with on-demand, pressure-compensated, variable-flow hydraulic pumps. This system delivers optimum hydraulic performance to efficiently multi-function between boom, bucket and attachment operation with standard auxiliary hydraulics or optional high flow, while consuming only required engine power to reduce fuel consumption.

Leading Loader Design
JCB’s skid steer and compact track loaders have become synonymous with operator safety, visibility and cab comfort, thanks to the single loader arm, or “Powerboom,” design that allows the operator safe access through a full-size cab door, rather than having to climb over dangerous attachments to enter and exit the cab. The JCB skid steer cab is 33% larger than competitive models (46% larger on small platform models), and thanks to its tilting design, delivers 24% better service access (21% better on small platform models. It also provides 60% better all-around visibility than the average twin arm skid steer and track loader.

With 31 attachment families available from the worldwide JCB dealer network, each specifically designed to work efficiently and productively with the these machines, JCB skid steers and compact track loaders remain the most versatile machines on site.