Video: JCB’s 400T and 4TS-8T Are Looking to Redefine Compact Track Loader Capability

JCB is moving deeper into the large-frame compact track loader segment with two new machines built to deliver more power, hydraulic flow and versatility than anything the company has produced before. In our latest Machine Heads episode, Wayne Grayson dives into the details behind the 400T compact track loader and the 4TS-8T Teleskid, showing how these new models mark a major leap forward for JCB and the broader compact loader market.

A Shared Large-Frame Platform

Both loaders share a new large-frame platform powered by JCB’s 4.4-liter EcoMax engine. The 109-hp powerplant meets Tier 4 Final standards without a diesel particulate filter, eliminating regen cycles and reducing maintenance. The platform is designed for long, high-flow work in tough conditions like forestry and land clearing, and it does it without the need for a rooftop auxiliary cooler. The hydraulic system is where this platform stands out. Operators can choose from standard flow at 24 gpm, high flow at 33 gpm or the new Super Flow package that delivers up to 42.3 gpm. Two selectable Super Flow modes — 3,300 psi and 4,000 psi — let operators match pressure and flow to their attachment’s requirements. This flexibility gives these loaders the muscle to power demanding tools like mulchers, cold planers and brush cutters.

Designed for Operator Comfort

Both loaders utilize JCB’s single-arm Powerboom design, which enables the company’s trademark side-door entry. Operators can climb in from the side instead of over an attachment, improving safety and ease of use. The Powerboom also boosts visibility, offering up to 60 percent better sightlines compared to twin-arm designs, and it carries a lifetime warranty. Inside, the cab focuses on comfort and control. A heated, air-suspension seat, Bluetooth radio and air conditioning come standard. Electric-over-hydraulic joysticks control all functions, while a 7-in. touchscreen lets operators toggle between ISO and H-pattern controls, switch flow modes and fine-tune joystick response with JCB’s MyChoice settings.

The 400T Vs. the 4TS-8T Teleskid

The 400T represents the muscle of this new lineup. With a rated operating capacity of 3,994 lbs and an operating weight of 12,544 lbs, it’s designed for high-production dirt work, site prep and forestry. Operators who want maximum pushing power and hydraulic performance in a traditional CTL package will find the 400T hits that mark.

Then there’s the 4TS-8T Teleskid — the hybrid that blurs the line between CTL and telehandler. Its telescoping boom delivers a 15-ft hinge pin height, over 8 ft of forward reach and the ability to dig 3 ft below grade. What sets this unit apart from previous Teleskids is that the machine retains full hydraulic flow at full extension, allowing high-demand attachments to run even when the boom is stretched out. Think about brush cutting in high applications. With the boom retracted, the 4TS-8T offers a rated operating capacity of lbs. Extended fully, it still handles 1,878 lbs, giving it serious lift even at reach. That capability allows operators to load trucks from one side, place materials on elevated platforms or clear ditches without repositioning.

Compact Power, Expanding Potential

The rise of large-frame CTLs has reshaped the compact equipment category. Contractors want one machine that can push, lift and power attachments built for bigger iron. JCB’s new 400T and 4TS-8T meet that demand with a platform that balances brute strength, advanced hydraulics and operator-focused design. Both machines are built in Savannah, Georgia, and mark JCB’s entry into the 100-plus-hp class—proof that the compact track loader continues to grow larger, stronger and more capable every year. Watch the full Machine Heads breakdown above or better yet, visit Compact Equipment’s YouTube channel for more videos and equipment walkarounds.

Keith Gribbins is publisher of Compact Equipment.

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