Optional features for JCB Fastrac 4000 Series tractors that enable farmers and contractors to gear up for non-agricultural applications will be highlighted at the LAMMA show for the first time, alongside farm-spec' versions of the 175-235hp 4000 Series and 306-348hp 8000 Series machines.

A Fastrac 4220 equipped with ‘utility’ features will underscore the tractor’s suitability for operating rear-mounted, front-mounted and deck-mounted equipment individually or in combination for applications such as snow clearance, salt spreading and roadside vegetation control.

The features include a DIN-standard mounting frame for highways snow ploughs, snow blowers and powered sweepers; a stability control system to keep the tractor level when operating heavy long-reach vegetation mowers; and a purpose-built rear deck frame for quick mounting and demounting of specialist spraying equipment and salt spreaders.

John Smith, MD of JCB Agriculture, said: “A number of contractors, utility companies and airports in the UK and overseas already operate our tractors but we see the Fastrac’s ‘utility’ options providing opportunities for farmers and contractors to diversify into municipal, highways and commercial markets for winter and summer maintenance."

The DIN-standard front mounting frame, which replaces the cast bolster, enables operators to use standard highways maintenance equipment for clearing snow in winter and for vegetation control alongside roads in summer.

These include angle blades, vee-blades, blowers and wide sweepers to clear snow and allow switching to mowers for embankment and verge trimming, including specialist designs that can work around road signs and posts on fences and safety barriers.

The frame comes with either a central or offset pto drive shafts and up to four electrically-operated spool valves to handle lift, angling and other equipment functions.

At the rear of the tractor, a four-tonne capacity utility deck frame caters for specialist maintenance equipment, such as a de-icing sprayer or a salt spreader of up to 2.5cu m capacity with a low-height broadcasting spinner.

Operators can quickly remove a sprayer or spreader by lowering the tractor’s suspension after deploying support legs and disconnecting quick-release mounts and electrical and hydraulic couplings.