JCB introduces the 90Z-1 zero tail swing compact excavator

JCB has added a 9.9-ton zero tail swing compact excavator to its rapidly expanding compact excavator range to meet growing demand from customers throughout North America. The 90Z-1 boasts a more powerful engine than the recently released 9.4-ton 86C-1, with a larger dig end and increased hydraulic capacity to further boost performance.

As with all models in the growing range of JCB compact excavators, the 90Z-1 features a revised H-design undercarriage, robust steel body panels, a spacious operator environment and a powerful Tier 4 Final engine that delivers increased efficiency and lower ownership and operating costs for the customer. The machine ispowered by a JCB by Kohler diesel engine delivering 74hp (55kW). This drives through industry-leading Bosch Rexroth hydraulic valves, Nachi slew motors and track drives.

With an operating weight of 18,975 lbs, the 90Z-1shares the same width and height over the cab as the lighter 85Z-1 and 86C-1 models. The counterweight remains inside the width of the undercarriage, making it a true zero tail swing machine. The all-steel bodywork provides space for the more powerful engine, with increased hydraulic pump capacity and larger hydraulic cylinders resulting in superior bucket tearout and dipper arm tearout forces.

Longer digging equipment provides the 90Z-1 with a maximum digging depth of 13 ft, 7 in., a dump height of 17 ft, 9 in. and a reach at ground level of 24 ft, 3 in.  A patented, reduced-loss hydraulic system operates with reduced back pressure, eliminating parasitic losses while placing less demand on the engine and reducing fuel consumption. All hoses feature O-ring face seal technology and are color coded for rapid identification.

Both modelshave a sturdy swing bracket design with widely spaced bearings to prevent wear. All JCB compact excavators also use a new graphite-based pin and bush design for 500-hour greasing intervals, reducing daily maintenance and lowering operating costs. The swing bracket design with slewing boom is proving increasingly attractive to customers when compared to a conventional 14.3-ton, fixed-boom crawler excavator, particularly for confined site access.

Digging equipment has individual hydraulic piping for easy maintenance and hose replacement. Twin auxiliary circuits will be available, and operators will be able to program individual hydraulic flow settings for attachments through the in-cab monitor, making it easier and faster to change between powered attachments such as breakers and thumbs.

Comfortable Operator Environment

That monitor sits in a sturdy compact excavator cab built in-house by JCB. The cab delivers greater space and increased visibility than on previous compact machines. It features flat glazing all around for ease of repair. An updated heating and ventilation system with optional air conditioning offers greatly improved airflow throughout the cab, improving operator comfort and rapidly clearing windshields in colder months.

The machine is available with optional FOGS guards at Level 1 and Level 2. It features “auto idle” that can be set by the operator to initiate after 2-30 seconds of lever inactivity. There are also two digging modes, including an ECO mode for maximum efficiency and a Heavy mode for increased productivity, tailoring the machine’s performance to the application.

The cab incorporates an ergonomic switch layout and a new full color LCD display screen with an additional monitor for a rear view camera. There is plenty of in-cab storage, and the machines come with a 12V phone charger and a cup holder.

Rapid travel capability

The compact excavators sit on an all-new, H-pattern track frame with an open design and sloping side frames for easy cleaning. With longer frames, the tracks deliver improved strength and stability and can be ordered with steel, rubber or road liner (GeoGrip) tracks. Maximum tracking speeds are impressive at 1.6 mph- 2.9 mph, allowing fast repositioning on site and cutting downtime.

The machines also feature completely redesigned dozer blades and arms. The blade profile has been optimized for smooth material flow, and there is no requirement for strengthening the side plate, allowing easy cleaning of the machine. Blade edges are angled to prevent damage and a four-way tilt adjustable dozer will be available as an option, all controlled with an electro-hydraulic dozer control lever in the cab.

Safest by far

JCB continues to lead the way on safety with its new range of compact excavators. The machines incorporate JCB’s 2Go hydraulic safety system, seen on the company’s larger JS excavators. In addition to the standard hydraulic cut-off that is activated by lifting the left-hand isolation lever, the operator is required to activate the hydraulic system

through a button on the right-hand console. This reduces the chance of operators working the hydraulic levers from outside the cab, improving safety on site.

The 90Z-1 isavailable with a twin-locking, factory-fitted quickhitch system, incorporating a flashing red LED warning light on the boom that indicates quickhitch operation is in progress. The machine will also be available from the factory with a roto/tilt function installed, ready for use with a number of rotating and tilting bucket mount systems.

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