AMONGST the prime movers in action at the recent Scotgrass event in Dumfries was a varied collection of loaders and Fastracs from JCB.

On parade for its first working demo was JCB’s 419S wheeled loader, which has replaced the highly regarded 418S. Compared with its predecessor, his boasts more torque and increased power – peaking at 183hp – while the new articulated chassis design on a longer wheelbase, and bigger axles, gives the option of having an auto-locking diff fitted, plus the ability to fit larger tyres up to 750/65 R26.

The new handlers have up to 200kg of extra lift capacity over their predecessors and a distinctive new identity – but it’s the Command Plus cab that rightly gets star billing because of its new design, with a windscreen that sweeps up from a low scuttle to beyond the operator’s head for unrivalled visibility forwards, to either side and upwards to a raised attachment.

Remarkably, the cab is 50% quieter than the previous design as JCB engineers have focused on operator comfort during long working days; an approach also reflected in the JCB Driver’s Command Position philosophy that informed the seating and control layout for maximum comfort and efficiency.

Control design, function and positioning will be familiar from other machines in JCB’s agricultural products, such as the wheeled loaders and Fastrac tractors, with rocker switches giving way to clusters of durable rubber membrane switches, mostly located alongside the joystick.

A traditional instrument panel is replaced by a tablet-like instrument display that ‘floats’ in front of the right-hand cab pillar where it is positioned in the operator’s line of sight without detracting from the view ahead.

Safe communications are encouraged by a dedicated mobile phone holder positioned where it can be used for satellite navigation guidance and for hands-free calls using the Bluetooth connection, a microphone integrated in the right hand cab pillar cladding and two speakers behind the operator

There are more storage places, including a lift-out bin behind the air suspension seat, and a 10% increase in cab ventilation airflow volume to help maintain a comfortable, even temperature, plus ‘auto defrost’ to clear all windows of condensation or frost 66% faster than before so that early morning starts can get underway at the earliest opportunity.

There’s also 15% more space in the latest JCB CommandPlus cab – which is also installed on JCB’s 435S wheeled loader, the 230hp 16hp/tonne power-to-weight ratio and six-speed transmission which was also used to good effect at ScotGrass.

Intelligent clutch cut off on the JCB 435S progressively disconnects the drive clutch according to brake pedal pressure as the machine digs into a heap of manure and similar materials. This is an effective way of easing brake wear and tear while being able to maintain engine revs to extract optimum power and flow from the twin piston pump hydraulics package with its unrivalled 264-litre/min maximum flow rate.

A similar package cab package was also seen in the latest Series III Loadall telescopic handlers. One from the new five-model range was shown collecting wrapped bales with a grab from the JCB AGRI range of attachments, while a second is on static display so that farmers and contractors at ScotGrass could inspect its features.

They also have up to 200kg of extra lift capacity and the control design, function and positioning will be familiar from other machines in JCB’s agricultural products, such as the wheeled loaders and Fastrac tractors. There’s a dedicated mobile phone holder positioned where it can be used for satellite navigation and there are more storage places, including a lift-out bin behind the air suspension seat, plus a 10% increase in cab ventilation airflow volume .

On the demonstration plots, JCB Fastrac tractors were shown with a selection of grassland implements, including mowers, rakes, balers and forage wagons on a 175hp 4160, a trio of 235hp 4220s and a pair of 348hp 8330s.

The 4000 Series tractors showed off the advantages of four-wheel steering, which is fitted as standard, both for grass harvesting implements and when getting in and out of field gateways or lining up with a trailer alongside a forage harvester.