JCB's latest compact wheeled loader, the 403 Agri, looks like an easy-to-use machine for mucking out and loading duties.

It has a load capacity of 0.3cu m, but is less than 2.2m tall and only 1.1m wide on narrow tyres. A cab is available for the first time on a JCB wheeled loader of this size and the option for indoor work is an open canopy platform and ROPS/FOPS protection.

It has a load-over height of 2.6m, with extension arms available. A 40.5-litre/min gear pump gives hydraulic response to powered attachments and there is a two-speed hydrostatic transmission for the 26.5kW (35.5hp) Kubota diesel engine to drive through.

Manually-engaged diff locks front and rear are optional, but standard are parallel lift, hydraulic locking pins, joystick control of the hydraulics and transmission, and brake pedal inching