THE UK'S material handling 'expert', JCB has revamped just about all if its ag-designated telehandlers and wheeled loaders in the past few months.

There's the JCB 419S Agri wheeled loading shovel (replacing the 418S), plus various changes and updates to the Loadall telescopic ranges, and a new compact.

The Loadalls, for instance, can now get high-performance hydraulics matched to a more economical powertrain, from those with the new SmartPower concept.

That comprises of a 74hp version of JCB’s award-winning 4.4-litre EcoMAX diesel engine coupled to a 30kph four-speed powershift transmission on the Loadall 531-70 Agri and 536-60 Agri. This engine is already fitted to many thousands of JCB construction machines and its LiveLink telematics data suggests operators can save up to 19% in fuel by choosing it.

Its for users who might not need high road speeds as offered by more advanced transmissions and the 109-145hp engine in existing models.

JCB Agriculture's general manager, John Smith, said: “With SmartPower, we have turned our attention to routine daily tasks on large livestock and other units, where farmers want to enjoy the benefits of Loadall features and performance but don’t need lots of power.”

In addition to fuel savings, other ownership costs are attractive too – it has a simple fixed geometry turbocharger and uses only exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) to meet emissions requirements, so there are no costly after-treatment catalysts, filters, nor a need for AdBlue.

An optional limited slip differential can be added to the front axle for better traction and selectable 2/4wd is available if some road travel will be included in its workload.

On the Loadall 531-70 Agri SmartPower, the two-stage boom lifts 3.1 tonnes max, or 2.4 tonnes to 7m and 1.25 tonnes when picking up or placing loads 3.7m ahead of the front wheels. The 536-60 Agri SmartPower lifts 3.6 tonnes to 6.2m and 1.5 tonnes at 3.3m with the boom fully extended.

All main operations are controlled by a single-lever servo joystick regulating oil-flow from the same 140-litre/min supply-on-demand piston pump fitted to other Loadall handlers.

Also new, JCB's 419S Agri wheeled loading shovel replaces the 418 model and features extra performance and greater traction and stability from a longer wheelbase. It completes the roll-out of the CommandPlus cab across the JCB heavy-duty wheeled loading shovels, offering better comfort and visibility.

Added power (+5% up to 183hp) and torque comes from a 6.7-litre Cummins six-cylinder engine, which meets emission rules via an AdBlue SCR system and integrated diesel oxidising catalyst (DOC).

It retains the work-proven ZF six-speed powershift which can deliver road speeds up to 48kph. That's possible and safer because of an all-new front and rear chassis design, longer wheelbase and bigger axles, with limited slip differentials front and rear. A new auto locking diff can be installed on machines working in challenging conditions.

Hydraulic power comes from a 180-litre/min load-sensing piston pump. This allows load-over height ranges from 3.48m to 3.71m and the 419S Agri has a full-turn tipping load of almost 6.9 tonnes.

Ownership costs and operator comfort are also improved in the latest versions of the TM320 and TM320S telescopic wheeled loaders. A revised cab interior with better instrumentation and storage, is bolstered by extended service schedules for the air conditioning filters and bearing assemblies, plus better lighting.

These have a central driving position and add the all-round visibility of a wheeled loading shovel to the reach and lift versatility of a telescopic handler.

The TM320 has a 4.4-litre version of the EcoMAX engine developing 125hp, a six-speed JCB Powershift transmission with 40kph gearing, torque lock-up direct drive in fourth to sixth gear and a load-sensing hydraulics output of 140-litres/min.

Changes to the powertrain and hydraulics make the most of the 'S' version's 145hp from the 4.8-litre EcoMAX engine – its six-speed Powershift transmission has torque lock-up direct drive from gear two and 14% more peak oil flow at 160-litre/min.

On both machines, the JCB Powershift transmission can be operated in 'automatic' or manually using the traditional left hand lever by operating the shift and forward-reverse selector switches conveniently mounted on the joystick. Both only have SCR to meet emissions standards.

Improvements to the telescopic boom include graphite impregnated bronze pivot bearings that extend the greasing schedule from once a day to every 500 hours. This matches the service interval for the engine (after the initial 100 hour service), the four-wheel drive prop shaft and the chassis articulation joint, with design changes making service points easier to reach.

For those with restraints on heights and width, the compact JCB 403 Agri is seen as ideal for pig and poultry units, dairy farms, nurseries and stables. This has a load capacity 0.4cu m and is less than 2.2m tall and only 1.1m wide on narrow tyres, even with a new, fully-glazed cab.