Traveling to Savannah for the 2015 North American JCB Press Launch
There’s no DPF or DOC in JCB’s innovative “one can” SCR solution.
In March, the earth-moving equipment experts at JCB invited Compact Equipment down to its North American headquarters in Savannah, Ga. (as part of a U.S. trade press launch), to see new machines, discuss business and operate iron. This is the second time in about four months we’ve been down to Savannah to investigate new equipment from the British-based equipment manufacturer. The company has been very busy of late, with a keen eye on the American construction, ag, rental and landscape markets. Out of the many models, machines and systems released by JCB at the event, three really stood out — a heavy-duty, yet nimbly constructed new 10-metric ton compact excavator, an innovative Tier 4 Final SCR solution and a gnarly track loader built for the difficulties of forestry work. Let’s start with the big digger.
The 100C-1 Compact Excavator
JCB is revamping its entire compact excavator line to something like 24 variants of excavators. The coolest and newest is the 10-metric ton conventional tailswing compact excavator dubbed the 100C-1, based on the frame of the recently released 8.6-metric ton 86C-1, which we operated extensively on our last trip to Savannah. But, the 100C-1 has a more powerful engine, larger dig end and increased hydraulic capacity to boost performance. The 100C-1 shares the latest JCB compact excavator appearance, with a revised H-design undercarriage, robust steel body panels, a spacious operator environment and a powerful Tier 4 Final engine.
Increased hydraulic pump capacity and larger hydraulic cylinders result in a maximum bucket tear-out force of 16,231 ft-lbs and a dipper arm tear-out force of 9,510 ft-lbs. Longer digging equipment provides the 100C-1 with a maximum digging depth of 15 ft, a dump height of 18 ft, 6 in. and a reach at ground level of 24 ft, 4 in. The machine is powered by a JCB Diesel by Kohler engine delivering 74 hp. With an operating weight of 21,458 lbs, the machine shares the same width and height over the cab as the lighter 85Z-1 and 86C-1. “We see the 100C-1 making a splash in the utility sector. The size of the unit bridges the gap between compact and large excavators,” stated Jake Jeffords, compact excavator global product manager for JCB.
ECOmax T4 Final JCB diesel engine
It wasn’t all about the new, nimble 10-metric ton excavator. JCB released skid steers, track loaders, backhoes and a lot of telehandlers. The company also launched one of the coolest Tier 4 engine solutions we’ve seen in a while. It’s called a “one can” SCR solution. According to JCB, it will use a compact selective catalytic reduction (SCR) unit with a Urea-based additive on engines above 74 hp, and those technologies will be incorporated into a single exhaust muffler, in many cases replacing the existing exhaust. The system will not use a diesel particulate filter (DPF) or a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), thus one can, and thus delivering the same compact overall dimensions for machine designers. The SCR system will use a 2 to 3 percent ratio of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) to fuel.
New JCB 325T Forestry Track Loader
CE publisher Keith Gribbins operates the 10-metric ton conventional tailswing compact excavator dubbed the 100C-1 at JCB’s recent media days.
Of course, JCB’s single arm skid steers and track loaders would not be left out. The company has 18 total Tier 4 Final models. Its 325T ForestMaster is totally new — a compact track loader designed specifically to deal with the arduous working conditions found in the forestry and timber industries. Featuring additional protection for both the operator and the machine, the 325T ForestMaster incorporates a unique, heavy-duty recovery winch. The 325T ForestMaster benefits from a comprehensive protection kit, that includes an exhaust cover to prevent debris entering the engine bay, rear cab glass mesh, a left hand quarter panel guard and a steel tube guard for the auxiliary, high-flow circuit.
The ForestMaster also comes with front work light protection, a loader hydraulic hose and auxiliary coupler guards, air conditioning, FOPS guard with side protection, a cooling pack guard and a track tube guard. “We’re all about protecting the operator and making it safe,” explained Ashby Graham, skid steer and track loader global product manager. “In a forestry application that uses a mulcher, the mulcher still runs after they’ve shut the machine down. I personally would not want to get out of a track loader via the attachment — a drum in this case that is still spinning. With our single arm boom design, you can exit the side. We like to keep everyone nice and safe from an operator’s perspective.”
Keith Gribbins is associate publisher of Compact Equipment, based in Brecksville, Ohio.
