JCB Mini Excavators Summarized — 2022 Spec Guide
Ten Models Featuring Comfort, Control, Reliability and Performance
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JCB has decades of experience in manufacturing full-size and compact excavators. The company currently offers 10 compact excavator models, ranging from the 1.8-ton 18Z-1 to the 10-ton 100C-1. While the JCB lineup of compact excavators is deployed to a wide variety of construction applications, machines in the 1.8- to 4-ton range are commonly used in residential building and landscaping applications and are a popular choice for rental fleet managers. Machines in heavier weight classes are most popular for larger excavation, commercial or land development projects.
JCB excavators feature heavy-duty, fully-welded H-frames for solid, rigid structures and a low center of gravity. Track components are sealed for life. The company’s hydraulic systems boast the latest industry technology O-Ring Face Seal (ORFS) hydraulic fittings, providing good sealing capabilities.
JCB’s programmable twin auxiliary lines provide high and optional low hydraulic flows to operate an array of attachments. The JCB range also offers excellent visibility due to large front, side and top glass areas. With the introduction of the 18Z-1, 50Z-1 and 55Z-1 zero tail swing models, and the 19C-1 conventional tail swing model, JCB offers the machines and capabilities that its customers demand.
The compact excavator series incorporates five key characteristics: comfort, controllability, reliability, serviceability and performance. Each compact excavator model (18Z-1, 19C-1 and 35Z-1) provides precision control, great service access and an exceptional operator environment — notes JCB — all in a compact package that’s easy to transport and ideal for size-restricted jobsites. Meanwhile, JCB’s 50Z, 55Z, 85Z and 90Z zero tail swing compact excavators address the need for compact machines that are quick, powerful and productive. Easy-to-operate and control, a ZTS compact excavator bears serious consideration, particularly when it comes to stability and power. The 86C and 100C offer the same high performance with minimal tail swing. The JCB compact excavator range offers a multitude of machines that are useful across a whole host of applications and sites.
Advice to Buyers
“Consider daily checks and the time spent doing nonvalue-added activities,” says Chris Lucas, product manager — excavators. “Look for excavators that can go 500 hours between greasing intervals. In total, customers can save an average of 15 minutes per shift in pre-start checks. Consider comfort and lastly consider serviceability like service access with large service doors, easily removeable side panels and a quick-access cab floor.”
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