Improving the backhoe/loader

[jcb1968]

Do you think if jcb and others where able to lock the front axel pivot, like the way rubber ducks do, it woud add a cheap but very verstile extra feAture to the machine?

[DaveJCB]

What bennifits do you think you would gain by doing such a thing on a backhoe? Most operators don't even know what the return to dig does.. Any extra buttons would send them into a world of confusion!

[Jeremy Rowland]

What bennifits do you think you would gain by doing such a thing on a backhoe? Most operators don't even know what the return to dig does.. Any extra buttons would send them into a world of confusion!

Excellent point there Dave most modern machinery whether its your car or digital camera or phone have more functions; "bells and whistles" than the average "Joe" knows what to do with, and some of the designers of these products would take good heed and not to fit too many features it just confuses the rest of us who don't know rocket science.

Jeremy

[FOWLER MAN]

What bennifits do you think you would gain by doing such a thing on a backhoe? Most operators don't even know what the return to dig does.. Any extra buttons would send them into a world of confusion!

I totally agree Dave.
I can see little benefit from such a feature. "More pain and no gain."
I know I can be accused of living in the past. But I honestly think that improvement lies in simplification, and not further complicating things with unnecessary gimmics and features.
Fred

[essexpete]

Can I ask what the benifit would be? As regards to bell and whistles this is a topic that often comes up on the farming forum and will always cause differences of opinion. At somepoint, someone, somewhere would have thought the wheel its self would not catch on.

[Julian]

Do you think if jcb and others where able to lock the front axel pivot, like the way rubber ducks do, it woud add a cheap but very verstile extra feAture to the machine?

Why not make up some wooden wedges to jam it? You could then see if there's any advantages, or not, as the case may be.

Julian.

[martyn williams]

To make any successful machine , just keep it simple
Martyn

[Jeremy Rowland]

Can I ask what the benifit would be? As regards to bell and whistles this is a topic that often comes up on the farming forum and will always cause differences of opinion. At somepoint, someone, somewhere would have thought the wheel its self would not catch on.

Pete I think the difference here is that the wheel is useful where as when you consider for example half of the functions that your computers windows operating system has that you don't need or use or even know how to use......................... do you see the point?

The simple ideas are the best and most useful ones I always advocate here the humble plastic cable tie what a fantastic piece of equipment that is and its uses are manifold. Now by comparison have you tried to comprehend the instruction booklets for new electrical items? You need a degree in bull just to remotely read them let alone understand all of the features that the said device may have.
It appears that most manufacturers have not twigged this yet and seem to think that our minds are all tuned the same way as the blokes who designed the device.

Keep things simple I say it makes life easy for all of us.

Jeremy

[topkit]

Keep it simple then bring back the 3C MKII that will sort the men from the boys then

[IBH]

I recall reading in Earthmovers magazine that JCB are looking into making an 'auto idle' system available for their backhoe loaders in th future.
This week JCB announced details of its new Stage IIIB/Interim Tier 4 3CX and 4CX models, that don't use exhaust after-treatment systems like their main rivals.

"While most manufacturers chose to reduce particulate matter (PM) with a diesel particulate filter (DPF), JCB chose to innovate and deal with the problem at source," said JCB engine service manager, Ollie Howlett. He added, "The new combustion chamber is where the magic starts to happen. It is a very different burn process - cleaner and more efficient."

The company says there are several advantages to not having to use aftertreatment. The absence of these bulky components reduces cost and often aids visibility for the operator, because engine compartments can be kept small.

In addition, JCB says it has achieved between 5% and 10% fuel economy compared to the Stage IIIA/Tier 3 versions of its engines. Further operational savings come standard oils can be used, rather than the low ash oils that are required with aftertreatment systems. The company says low ash oils are around +30% more expensive than standard lubricants.

There is also no need to periodically clean or replace aftertreatment systems such as the DPF, and there is also no need to use the urea-based diesel exhaust fluids (DEF) that are required by selective catalytic reduction (SCR) aftertreatment systems.

"No DPF means no need to buy costly filters and no aftertreatment means no additives," said group engineering director Mick Mohan.

Resale options

Another key advantage is that machines can be modified for use in unregulated emissions markets without any hardware changes. JCB says its 'recalibration' system is a simple software change that any of its dealers can do. In contrast, engines using aftertreatment must be fuelled with ultra low sulphur diesel, which is only widely available in Japan, the EU and US. "This opens it up to markets that only have access to lower grade fuels," said Mr Howlett.

JCB's Eco Max engine is available in power ratings from 55 to 129 kW, which makes it suitable for telescopic handlers, backhoe loaders and rough terrain forklifts as well as certain models of wheeled loader, excavator and skid steer loader.

The company makes some 220 variants from the same 4.4 litre block and this year passed the milestone of manufacturing its 200,000th engine, having started production in late 2004. Most of these have been at the main JCB Power Systems factory near Uttoxeter, UK, but in April last year it started up production in Pune, India, and has made 30,000 engines there to date.

New machines

JCB has now launched a range of new machines that feature its Stage IIIB/Interim Tier 4-compliant engines, including its flagship backhoe loaders and telescopic handlers. The engines have also been fitted to several medium-sized excavators and all these new machines are available with an expanded version of JCB's Live Link telematics system.

The absence of aftertreatment mean there are no styling changes to the range of backhoe loaders that were launched two years ago at Bauma - including to the sloping hood that houses the engine. However, where JCB has made a significant departure is in the range of power ratings it is offering.

A more economical 3CX is available with a 55 kW engine, as well as the mid-range 68 kW machines and high powered 81 kW variants - the same rating as the 4x4x4 4CX. However, JCB says that the more efficient engine means even the most powerful 3CX achieves 2% fuel savings compared to the previous range-topper, rated at 74 kW. JCB says it is the only manufacturer in Europe to offer such a wide range of power options, most notably the economical 55 kW machines.

"While some manufacturers have purely chased the high horsepower market, JCB continues to meet the needs of all backhoe loader customers, with both standard and high horsepower models, said chief innovation and growth officer, Tim Burnhope.

The company says that the use of a variable flow hydraulic pump means that fuel savings of up to 6% have been achieved on the new models, while increasing peak hydraulic flow across the range.

Improvements to the backhoes' electronic control system mean there are no under-bonnet daily checks to be carried out, as any alerts will show on the in-cab display and also be registered on the Live Link telematics system. JCB says this is likely to prove popular with rental companies in particular, which can't be sure daily checks are always carried out by its customers and their operators.

At the excavator end, the side-shift (for markets that do not favour a central king post design) has been improved, with the powered version no featuring a wire rope, rather than the less durable chain of previous versions

source/full article: http://www.khl.com/magazines/construction-europe/detail/item76271/JCB-launches-low-emission-backhoes-and-telehandlers/

JCB.