UK ENGINE INVESTMENT BY JCB SET TO CREATE HUNDREDS OF NEW JOBS

JCB – the world’s third largest manufacturer of construction equipment – today announced plans for a new $48.5 (£31) million engine development project in the UK that will create around 350 jobs throughout the region.

The program is set to get underway after the company was awarded $7 (£4.5) million towards the cost from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF).

Design and research into the new engine project will take place at JCB Power Systems in Foston, Derbyshire, where the company’s record setting JCB Dieselmax engine is manufactured.

The development of the new engine – which will be installed in JCB’s own products and also sold to third parties – means almost 50 new advanced engineering jobs are available immediately at JCB Power Systems, with recruitment already underway.

The roles include engine design and development engineers, engine electronics and software engineers, quality technicians, manufacturing engineers, applications engineers, supplier development engineers and buyers. When the engine goes into production, more than 300 additional jobs will be created across JCB’s Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Wrexham factories between 2016 and 2021.

JCB Chief Executive Alan Blake said: “Since we began production in 2004, JCB has led the way in off-highway engine development, with a range of fuel saving, clean and highly efficient engines.

“The announcement that we now intend to invest £31 ($48.5) million developing our next generation engine is an important step in building on the success we have enjoyed so far and it will take the efficiency, productivity and environmental performance of our engines to new levels.

“The new JCB engine will give our products a huge competitive edge across global markets which we anticipate will lead to substantially increased sales between 2018 and 2021.

“That rise in demand will result in the creation of an additional 300 positions at our UK factories in addition to almost 50 engineering roles we are recruiting for immediately.”

JCB began manufacturing its Dieselmax engine range at its Derbyshire plant in 2004. This year the company also opened a new engine production facility in India for the production of fuel-efficient engines for its Indian-built products.

JCB’s own engines now power more than 70% of the company’s equipment range. The same engines also powered the JCB Dieselmax car to a new world diesel landspeed record of 350.092mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats, USA in 2006.

Last year JCB announced it had made one of the biggest investments in its history to develop the off-highway sector’s cleanest engine, in readiness for increasingly stringent emissions legislation in both the United States of America and in Europe. The move has been well received by original equipment manufacturers (OEM) from around the world, with a surge in demand for the award-winning JCB Ecomax T4 engine which is going to allow to produce new-generation agricultural tractors, mini excavators, track loaders, forklifts etc..

The company has recently developed the new JCB Ecomax T4 4.4 litre engine – the latest generation of the JCB Dieselmax engine. The investment has delivered an industry-first solution that eliminates the need for any exhaust after-treatment and delivers cost savings for customers. Indeed the 55kW (74hp) Ecomax engine requires no after-treatment for Tier 4 Final.

JCB OFFICIALLY MARKS 65th ANNIVERSARY AS ROBUST EARNINGS RESTORED

JCB officially marked its 65th anniversary yesterday by presenting thousands of employees around the world with gifts to mark the occasion. The milestone was celebrated as JCB also reported a strong recovery from the deepest-ever recession in the global construction equipment industry with a return to robust earnings.

Employees received a bottle of Château Léoube rosé wine, two glasses and a DVD highlighting the global footprint of a company, which started life in a lock-up garage in Uttoxeter. The celebration took place today (June 21st) to coincide with the 95th anniversary of the birth of JCB’s Founder, the late Joseph Cyril Bamford.

JCB Chairman Sir Anthony said: “In 65 years we’ve gone from one man in a garage in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, to a major global brand renowned for its pioneering spirit. All of this is down to our people. JCB is on the threshold of even greater success and it’s our employees who will help drive our future.”

Today JCB also reported that in 2010 earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) reached $376 million ($151.2 million – 2009). Sales in 2010 increased by 48 per cent to $3.2 billion ($151.2 billion – 2009) and in 2010 JCB sold 51,600 machines (2009 – 36,000 machines).

Sir Anthony Bamford said: “We started 2010 cautiously optimistic about trading prospects and I’m delighted that our optimism was rewarded with a very strong result for the year. The pace and strength of the recovery varied by market. Growth was strongest in the ‘BRIC’ countries and other developing economies, but some established markets, notably the UK and Germany, also performed satisfactorily.

“2011 has also started well for the JCB Group but we are still mindful of economic concerns which could hold back the recovery. We continue to invest in our manufacturing facilities, notably this year in India and Brazil and, of course, in new products, with 13 new machines launched so far in 2011.”

In 2011 JCB will be investing more than £20 million in modernizing and increasing capacity at its 11 UK plants. The company is also investing in a new 350,000 sq ft factory in Sao Paulo, Brazil, for the manufacture of backhoe loaders and tracked excavators. The plant will become operational in early 2012. The company has also opened an engine manufacturing plant in India which went into production this year.

JCB Employees receive 65th Aniiversary gifts

JCB Chairman Sir Anthony said: “In 65 years we’ve gone from one man in a garage in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, to a major global brand renowned for its pioneering spirit. All of this is down to our people. JCB is on the threshold of even greater success and it’s our employees who will help drive our future.”

Today JCB also reported that in 2010 earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) reached $376 million ($151.2 million – 2009). Sales in 2010 increased by 48 per cent to $3.2 billion ($151.2 billion – 2009) and in 2010 JCB sold 51,600 machines (2009 – 36,000 machines).

Sir Anthony Bamford said: “We started 2010 cautiously optimistic about trading prospects and I’m delighted that our optimism was rewarded with a very strong result for the year. The pace and strength of the recovery varied by market. Growth was strongest in the ‘BRIC’ countries and other developing economies, but some established markets, notably the UK and Germany, also performed satisfactorily.

“2011 has also started well for the JCB Group but we are still mindful of economic concerns which could hold back the recovery. We continue to invest in our manufacturing facilities, notably this year in India and Brazil and, of course, in new products, with 13 new machines launched so far in 2011.”

In 2011 JCB will be investing more than £20 million in modernizing and increasing capacity at its 11 UK plants. The company is also investing in a new 350,000 sq ft factory in Sao Paulo, Brazil, for the manufacture of backhoe loaders and tracked excavators. The plant will become operational in early 2012. The company has also opened an engine manufacturing plant in India which went into production this year.

CBE HONOR FOR JCB’S DEPUTY CHAIRMAN JOHN PATTERSON

John Patterson, Deputy Chairman of JCB, has been appointed as a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honors List. The honor has been awarded to Mr Patterson in recognition of his services to British business development worldwide.

John Patterson, Deputy Chairman of JCB, awarded CBE Honors

Patterson said, “I am extremely humbled by this announcement. I am very proud to receive the honor and all that it represents. This is a tribute to the many people within the JCB worldwide organization, especially Sir Anthony Bamford. I would not have been able to achieve this without his faith in me and his leadership, guidance and wisdom.”

Patterson joined JCB in 1971 as a field service engineer and rose to Worldwide CEO overseeing global operations for the world’s largest privately owned construction equipment company. With offices on four continents, Patterson has travelled extensively to build JCB’s global expansion. Under the last 5 years of his worldwide leadership, retail sales increased by 98 percent and revenue increased by 107 percent. In the last ten years, Patterson has opened new manufacturing facilities in Savannah, Georgia; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Pune, India; Shanghai, China; and acquired operations in Germany.

With Patterson at the helm, JCB’s global market share rose to 12 percent, JCB earned and maintained the number one market share position for backhoe loaders and telescopic handlers globally and JCB upheld its position as the world’s 3rd largest construction equipment manufacturer by volume.

JCB Chairman Sir Anthony Bamford said: “John’s contribution to both JCB and British business over the past 40 years has been immense and I am delighted that he has received this well-deserved recognition.”

His dedication to the industry extends beyond his role at JCB. In 2007 Patterson was elected to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers’ (AEM) board of directors. AEM is the international trade and business development resource for companies that manufacture equipment, products and services used worldwide in the construction, agricultural, mining, forestry, and utility fields. He is a member of the Georgia Institute of Technology Advisory Board in Atlanta as well as Chairman of the Savannah affiliate board. He is a former president of the Federation of Manufacturers of Construction Equipment and Cranes (FMCEC).

Honors Lists are published twice a year at New Year and in mid-June on the date of The Queen’s official birthday. All honorees have been through a rigorous selection process overseen by Cabinet Office committees before their name is recommended to The Queen by the Prime Minister to be included in the Honors List. Patterson will receive the Honor at Buckingham Palace later in the year.

JCB WELCOMES GEORGIA GOVERNOR NATHAN DEAL TO ITS WORLD HEADQUARTERS

Visit builds relationships and creates a solid foundation for future growth in Georgia.

Leading heavy equipment manufacturer JCB welcomed Georgia Governor Nathan Deal to its World Headquarters in Rocester, Staffordshire, England on Tuesday the 17th of May. The governor was accompanied by Chris Cummiskey, commissioner, and Gretchen Corbin, deputy commissioner, both of Georgia’s Department of Economic Development. The visit to JCB is one stop on the Governor’s nearly two-week-long economic development trip to Europe.

Gretchen Corbin, Mike Harling, John Patterson, Governor Nathan Deal, Graeme Macdonald and Chris Cummiskey stop for a photo at the start of the JCB Backhoe production line

By visiting with JCB and other European companies with Georgia ties, Governor Deal and his staff plan to build strong relationships, promote the State as a solid location for new businesses or expansions and learn tactics that will have a positive impact on Georgia’s continued economic growth.

“Since selecting Savannah as the site of its North American headquarters, JCB has continued to invest in Georgia by expanding its product lines, hiring additional employees and creating valuable partnerships,” said John Patterson, chairman of JCB North America. “Today’s meeting with Governor Deal gave us the opportunity to share our vision and discuss strategies to promote even more economic growth.”

Chris Cummisky and Governor Nathan Deal listen as Graeme Macdonald explains the JCB manufacturing process

Following their arrival at JCB World Headquarters, Governor Deal and his staff took a tour of the facility, seeing firsthand where the world’s best-selling backhoes and Loadall telescopic handlers are produced. Upon the tour’s conclusion, the governor enjoyed a working lunch with John Patterson and Sir Anthony Bamford, chairman of JCB worldwide. The three discussed JCB’s continued potential for growth in Georgia, including JCB’s plans to add 200 more jobs in Savannah in the near future.

“JCB has contributed and continues to contribute a great deal to the city of Savannah and the entire state of Georgia,” Governor Deal said. “To have a global organization like JCB locate its North American Headquarters in Georgia says so much about our state’s many strengths—its prime location, its dedicated workforce and its growing economy, just to name a few. I enjoyed meeting with JCB’s executives, learning more about the company’s future plans and developing sound relationships that will serve us well in the months and years ahead.”

Governor Nathan Deal listens as John Patterson outlines JCB's group operations

JCB is certainly well-positioned to have a positive effect on Savannah’s economy, and its overall growth strategy has the potential to make an impact outside of Georgia as well. The company is expanding its dealer network and opening additional distribution centers throughout North America. “Because of our global perspective, we can play an active role by offering our unique insight into current and future economic development issues—not just locally, but also regionally and nationally,” Patterson added. “We hope to use this knowledge to assist Governor Deal and his staff as they continue to pursue their economic development goals.”

JCB DONATES THE USE OF EQUIPMENT TO ASSIST GEORGIA AND ALABAMA CLEAN-UP EFFORTS

Heavy equipment manufacturer provides skid steers and backhoe loaders to clear debris and begin the recovery process.

Leading heavy equipment manufacturer JCB has donated the use of various machines to assist with clean-up efforts in Georgia and Alabama following the violent storms that rocked the region on April 27, 2011. According to JCB North America Chairman and CEO John Patterson, the company’s latest donations reflect its ongoing support of disaster relief efforts worldwide.

“As a global organization, JCB has assisted with relief efforts in a number of countries over the years,” Patterson said. “The residents of Georgia and Alabama are JCB’s neighbors here in the United States, and upon learning of the devastation left behind by the recent storms, we knew that we wanted to help them in any way we could.”

In these situations, the type of equipment that JCB manufactures is necessary to clear tree and building debris from roads and driveways so that recovery and rescue efforts can take place. After hearing of the widespread damage throughout the Deep South, JCB employees in Savannah and dealers in Georgia and Alabama devised plans to donate the use of heavy equipment to launch the long recovery process in the areas hardest hit by the powerful storms.

JCB’s Savannah Employees Step Up

Spencer Howard, a member of JCB’s demonstration crew based at the North American Headquarters in Savannah, Ga., came up with the idea to take a JCB New Generation 280 skid steer loader with fork, bucket and grapple attachments to Ringgold and begin clearing roadways. Howard ran the idea past Neil Smith, JCB’s events and demonstration manager, who fully agreed with his plan.

JCB demonstrator Spencer Howard uses a New Generation 280 skid steer to clear debris in Ringgold, GA

Howard became part of a volunteer crew that worked from daylight to dark, Friday, April 29 through Sunday, May 1, using the JCB 280 skid steer’s speed and maneuverability to clear as much debris as possible. “I have family in that area, and I felt like it was my responsibility to help out,” Howard said. “We saw houses torn from their slabs, an entire golf course development where none of the homes remained. The devastation, what those people are experiencing right now, was unbelievable. When I had to leave, people I didn’t even know hugged and thanked me. That made the entire trip worthwhile.”

JCB of Alabama Lends a Helping Hand

Peter Cunningham, JCB’s district manager in Alabama and Florida, knew that it was important for JCB to step up in this time of crisis. Together with Mark Long, president and owner of JCB of Alabama, the two were able to secure a 3CX backhoe loader from JCB’s Savannah headquarters to assist in the Alabama relief efforts.

A donated JCB 3CX backhoe loader works to clear roads in Alabama following the tornados that ripped through the Southeast

The 3CX’s front end loader is perfect for debris collection, while the reach of its excavator end allows the unit to be used to extend over debris piles. The dealership received the backhoe on May 10, and municipal workers in surrounding communities will use it to continue clearing debris.

“We wanted to get machines where they were needed most,” Cunningham said. “By working with JCB of Alabama, we were able to immediately provide the use of a 3CX to the City of Dora for its recovery and clean-up process.”

Long knew that his dealership would step up in this time of crisis. “In our line of work, it’s normal for us to receive calls for assistance when natural disasters take place,” Long explained. “As a company, we try to use whatever equipment we have in our yard to help out as quickly as possible. We were extremely grateful that JCB came to us with the idea of donating the use of a 3CX, because the more machines that we can offer to the local municipalities, the faster we can help the residents of those areas recover from this disaster.”

In addition to the City of Dora, JCB of Alabama donated the use of its equipment to the communities of Fultondale and Hueytown. “While it’s very important for the larger metropolitan areas like Birmingham to receive assistance, we also wanted to ensure that smaller towns and cities are getting the help they need.”

JCB of Georgia Partners with Ringgold Area Contractor

A dealership located right next door to JCB’s North American Headquarters in Savannah, JCB of Georgia also expressed its desire to help the victims of these violent storms. “We knew we wanted to donate the use of a machine, but we needed to find a contractor who was willing to volunteer his time to operate it,” said Natalia Welch, marketing manager for JCB of Georgia. “That’s when we contacted David Mills.”

David Mills owns and operates David Mills Construction in Ringgold, Ga., building new homes and remodeling existing ones. “I’ve purchased three backhoes from JCB in the past, so they know me,” Mills said. “When they contacted me about relief efforts, I’d been using my own equipment to try and help out, but the use of the donated 3CX backhoe has helped us remove even more debris in less time.”

Mills will use the 3CX from JCB of Georgia to clean up and separate tree debris from building scrap material—a long and arduous process. “The people here in Ringgold are my friends and neighbors, and they simply need my help,” Mills said. “They need to be able to get to their home sites and salvage what’s left, and clearing debris is the least that I can do for them.”

A Global Company with a Global Perspective

JCB’s equipment donations in Georgia and Alabama are the latest in the company’s long history of philanthropic endeavors. In 2010, JCB sponsored the “Backhoe Across America” charity drive in an effort to raise funds for Haiti following its devastating earthquakes. That same year, JCB donated $150,000 worth of equipment to Haiti for clean-up and relief efforts. Also in 2010, JCB pledged assistance worth over $100,000 for rebuilding efforts in Chile after its disastrous earthquakes. Other past donations include the gifting of six backhoe loaders and a team of operators following the 2008 earthquake in Sichuan Province in China. JCB also donated machines worth more than £1 million to help in the aftermath of the Asian Tsunami in 2004, with JCB diggers deployed to Thailand, southern India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

“Our global presence makes us acutely aware of the need to support our partners, friends and neighbors, wherever they may be,” Patterson explained. “It’s our hope that these donations will continue to make a positive impact upon the lives of those people who have been affected by these natural disasters.”

BIG ROLE FOR SMALL FLEET OF JCB MACHINES IN EARTHQUAKE-HIT HAITI

A small fleet of powerful JCB machines is playing a big role in paving the way for rebuilding in part of earthquake-devastated Haiti.

The JCB JS220XD at work in Haiti.

Two JCB excavators and a wheeled loading shovel have been bought by the international charity Oxfam and donated to the not-for-profit organization Disaster Waste Recovery (DWR) which is clearing damaged houses and recycling the resulting debris in one of the poorest areas of the Caribbean island’s capital Port Au Prince.

The JCB JS220XD and JS145W excavators and JCB 426ZX machines are working in partnership demolishing damaged properties and loading a crusher and screening plant. The resulting debris is then recycled and used in the reconstruction of buildings, roads and pavements.

The JCB 426ZX wheeled loading shovel is loading a crusher and screening plant in Haiti.

The order – which was won in the face of competition from other major global manufacturers – also included a JCB HM1560Q Hammermaster breaker and a JCB MP200U multi-processor attachment for use on the JS220XD and a JCB HM860Q Hammermaster breaker for the JS145W. JCB also provided seven days’ on-site operator training in Haiti.

Oxfam’s Logistic Co-ordinator in Haiti Hubert Ballaman said: “The location where the JCB machines are working is in the town and often in-between houses and the decision on which houses are demolished is often down to local residents who request their plot to be cleared.

“This particular part of the project should see 162,000 tonnes of rubble cleared, allowing 16,200 people to be re-housed in 4,500 properties.

“The team is working in very difficult conditions; it’s busy, hot and dusty and controlling lots of curious passers-by can be an issue for the operators and residents.

“All the operators are very pleased with the JCB machines and they particularly appreciate their ease and precision of operation and working in an air-conditioned cab with a comfortable seat.”

The JCB JS220 XD at work in Haiti.

The demolition and clean-up operation follows the earthquake on January 12, 2010 which measured 7.0 on the Richter Scale and killed an estimated 230,000 people. More than a year later, 800,000 people are still living in camps.

Immediately after the earthquake, JCB Chairman Sir Anthony Bamford donated two JCB 3CX backhoe loaders worth $150,000 to help with the relief effort. They are currently working for not-profit organization Food for the Poor and have so far been deployed to clear rubble, excavate sewage pits, dig out foundations and reconstruct walls and build schools and sanitation facilities.

The UN Development Program estimates that 200,000 buildings collapsed in Port au Prince, creating 10 million m³ of rubble – only 20 % of which has so far been cleared. DWR’s project is financed by Oxfam GB with funding from the UK‐based Disasters Emergency Committee and is working in neighborhoods of Port‐au‐Prince, demolishing damaged buildings and clearing away debris, so that people can return to their homes. DWR is a specialized UK‐registered not‐for‐profit organization that focuses on designing and implementing waste and debris management projects in post‐disaster and post‐conflict situations.

JCB ANNOUNCES THE ADDITION OF NEW WEST COAST PARTS DISTRIBUTION CENTER

New California-based distribution center will provide North American customers with faster parts availability and lower freight costs

JCB today announced the opening of a new West Coast Parts Distribution Center in Fontana, California, bringing its total number of distribution centers in North America to three.

New JCB parts facility in Fontana, CA

The new facility is part of JCB’s ongoing commitment to enhance customer support in North America. The distribution center will primarily serve customers in the Mountain and Pacific Time Zones, helping to reduce freight costs and shorten delivery times. JCB’s other North American parts distribution centers are located in Burlington, Ontario and Savannah, Georgia.

“As we expand our North American Dealer Network, it’s important for us to continue providing each of our customers with the parts they need as quickly as possible,” said John Patterson, chairman and CEO of JCB Inc. “At JCB, we understand that time is money, and with this new distribution center, our customers will be able to benefit from less equipment downtime and enjoy greater productivity on their job sites.”

JCB will use SAP® inventory management solutions and Syncron® global supply chain management software at its West Coast Distribution Center, bringing it in line with all of JCB’s distribution facilities around the world.

While the new distribution center certainly supports JCB’s customer support philosophy, it also underscores the company’s strong global commitment to the environment by promoting more sustainable practices.

“The world is changing, and we need to realign our responsibilities accordingly,” Patterson said. “That includes placing a greater emphasis on environmental stewardship and sustainability. Our new distribution center will allow us to ship parts shorter distances, reducing fuel consumption and costs as well as the amount of pollutants created during the transportation process.”

JCB’s dedication to sustainability extends beyond its efforts to streamline parts availability. The company has developed a number of sustainable equipment innovations in recent years, including a 23-percent reduction in direct carbon emissions since 2007, and a 16-percent decrease in fuel consumption from its new and improved range of backhoe loaders and skid steer loaders.

“We’re confident that this new distribution center will enable us to better serve our growing customer base while also making it possible for JCB and its dealers to reduce their collective carbon footprint,” Patterson said.

JCB ACADEMY OFFICIALLY OPENED BY ROYAL COUPLE

The £22 million JCB Academy was today officially opened by Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.

Sir Anthony Bamford shows HRH The Prince of Wales around the JCB Academy

The Royal couple visited the facility in Mill Street, Rocester where they met staff, students and supporters who have made The Academy such a success.

Prince Charles, accompanied by Sir Anthony Bamford and JCB Academy Principal Jim Wade, was given an insight into both the hi-tech resources available to the 170 Year 10 and Sixth Form students and The JCB Academy’s strong focus on energy efficiency, seeing first-hand an Archimedes Screw which has been installed and which generates around 80 per cent of the power for the site.

The Duchess of Cornwall meanwhile took time out to meet community groups linked to The JCB Academy and the building where it is housed. Pupils from Dove First School, Rocester, performed a dance routine for the Royal visitor before she went on to meet Rocester residents who have a connection with the building.

The Royal couple later unveiled a plaque to mark the official opening of The Academy.

In a speech at the opening ceremony Sir Anthony Bamford said: “Over 200 years after Arkwright invented the spinning frame, his mill in Rocester is now home to a transformation – a revolution, some might say – in how our young people are educated.

“Our hope is that the engineers and business leaders of the future – that our country so desperately needs to rebalance our economy – will pass through the doors of this historic building.“

The JCB Academy is the first school of its kind in the UK for the education of 14 to 19-year-olds with a core focus on engineering and is designed to produce the engineers and business leaders of the future.

The rear of the new JCB Academy

The engineering tasks completed by pupils have been set by The JCB Academy’s partners who include JCB, Rolls-Royce, Toyota, Network Rail, Bentley, Bombardier, Rexroth Bosch Group, National Grid, Zytek Automotive, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, IET, Harper Adams University College, The Royal Academy of Engineering and Parker Vansco. They will complete their engineering tasks alongside Maths, English, Science and German GCSEs.

JCB UNVEILS NEW FASTRAC 3230 XTRA

JCB displays the new machine for the first time in North America at the National Farm Machinery Show

LOUISVILLE, KY (February 16, 2010)- This week at the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, KY, JCB is introducing North America to the newly-designed 3230 Fastrac Xtra. First launched to the European market last June, this new model retains the outstanding performance and features of the previous Fastrac 3230 model that it replaces – class-leading full suspension, ultimate braking and safety, high road speeds, equal weight distribution, systems capability and a well-proportioned cab. Now, the 3230 Xtra incorporates a host of new features designed to meet the needs of the modern operator and maximize the machine’s potential, both in the field and on the road.

The new JCB Fastrac 3230 Xtra

The 3230 Xtra includes a wide range of essential new features:

-P-TRONIC transmission with cruise control provides effortless and automatic gear shifting
-Xtra-Drive functionality offers stress-free, clutch-less driving
-New cab layout creates an enhanced operating environment
-More torque improves in-field and on-road performance
-Transport power boost provides increased pulling power at speed
-Variable flow hydraulics generate faster flow rates and lower fuel consumption
-Headland management option presents effortless control in the field
-Xenon worklight option generates near-daylight working conditions at night
-Quick-coupler layout makes air brake connection easier
-Updated air conditioning system improves air flow and simplifies control
-New front hood styling offers a more modern look

-P-TRONIC Transmission

The new 3230 Xtra comes standard with the 24-speed P-TRONIC power-shift transmission already offered in the Fastrac 7000 Series. With this transmission, operators can simply move the joystick for clutch-less gear and range changes between the six gears in each of the four ranges. Directional changes can be performed just as easily by using the same seat-mounted joystick or the optional left-hand column lever.

The P-TRONIC Transmission also offers the same flexibility and automation as the 7000 Series. In drive mode, the tractor shifts like an automatic car for speedy operation on the road. Similarly, a cruise control option allows the operator to easily set and resume an optimum forward speed. Autoshift mode is also available, enabling the tractor to automatically shift gears in the field based on the engine load and within parameters pre-set by the operator.

Xtra-Drive

The new JCB Fastrac 3230 Xtra also features Xtra-Drive as standard. This innovative new feature makes it possible to drive the machine by just using the brake pedal. Like a vehicle with an automatic transmission, there is no need to use the clutch, which is perfect for those tricky road junctions or regular headland turns. When the operator is hitching the 3230 Xtra up to implements, the tractor’s clutch pedal overrides Xtra-Drive to retain perfect inching capabilities.

Cab Interior

The cab interior now features the same armrest as the 7000 and 8000 series, placing all the tractor’s functions at the operator’s fingertips. The joystick holds the controls for effortless direction and speed changes, as well as easy activation of the headland turn assist, the drive mode selection and the four pre-programmable function buttons.

To safely and productively operate any tractor, operators must be able to clearly view the surrounding terrain. That’s why the new 3230 Xtra has been designed to provide operators with the maximum level of visibility. The new compact right-hand console retains a low profile, while still keeping the new adjustable color touch screen for tractor setup and current work modes close at hand. With this touch screen, operators can easily alter and adjust all of the tractor’s parameters for optimum performance.

Engine Performance

JCB has increased the 3230 Xtra’s engine torque by up to 22 percent, giving the machine far more pulling power for top performance in heavy field-work applications.

A standard user-selectable power boost feature is controlled by an illuminated button on the armrest, allowing operators to choose between power and economy modes. When active, the power boost feature boosts the 3230 Xtra up to 270hp in the top two gears for greater acceleration at higher road speeds and more power when climbing hills.

Hydraulics

The JCB 3230 Xtra features variable flow hydraulics with color-coded precision spool controls mounted on the armrest for ease of operation. This load-sensing system provides flow rates of up to 37 GPM with 26 GPM per slice for the most demanding implements—an increase of more than 25 percent over the previous 3230 model. Precise and accurate operation of spools is possible through either a programmed joystick button on the armrest controls or a headland management sequence. The piston pump only pumps oil when required for greater economy.

The load-sensing power beyond option is available for implements with their own valve block. With this option, the implement demands oil from the tractor only when required, again improving economy and efficiency.

A priority flow option is also available to replace the flow divider option on previous machines. This provides constant oil flow through the green spool valve to a service regardless of any other hydraulic functions, ideal for uses such as powering a fan on a seed drill.

Headland Management

Headland management is now available as an option on all Fastrac 3000 Series Xtra models as part of the field performance package, which also includes the ground speed radar. The 3230 Xtra uses the same simple and easy-to-use system as the latest 7000 Series Fastracs, allowing you to pre-program up to five different sequences, each containing up to 15 different functions. These functions can be linked together to provide an instant reaction or a delayed reaction based on a preset distance or time. This results in a true “one press” solution to headland maneuvers.

Xenon Worklight Option

The xenon worklight package option on the 7000 Series Fastracs has been so popular that JCB is now introducing the same package on its new 3230 Xtra machines. These lights cast a brilliant pool of illumination that’s almost as bright as natural daylight, allowing operators to clearly see their work areas and safely maintain desired forward speeds without compromising their quality of work.

The new JCB Fastrac 3230 Xtra went into full production in September 2010. This machine’s development demonstrates JCB’s continued dedication to helping customers get the job done. To learn more about the new JCB Fastrac 3230 Xtra and the entire Fastrac range, visit www.FastracXtra.com.

Quick Tip Tuesday: A fully charged battery is essential as winter temperatures drop.

A fully charged battery is essential as winter temperatures drop. The cranking capacity of a battery deceases as the ambient temperature drops below 32° F , while at the same time, engine starting requirements increase. Good Maintenance on your battery starts with ensuring that it is free of any dirt, debris, and corrosion, along with applying an electrical grade lubricant to the terminals to prevent corrosion build up. The next step is to check that electrolyte levels are at the maximum fill point. The last point is to ensure that your battery is fully charged, because an under charged battery can freeze at 18° F.