Tractor, harvester IT comes of age
Over the last halfdecade, digital technology has appeared to be the “must-have” for tractor and machinery companies, who believe that bringing IT to tractors and farming will offer its customers huge benefits.
CLAAS Harvest Centre product manager – JCB, Steve Gorman, says telescopic wheeled loaders combine the power and articulated steering of wheeled loaders with the manoeuvrability and telescopic reach of a telehandler.
“TM telescopic loaders are highly regarded by farmers and agricultural contractors for their versatility in restricted spaces,” he says. “Fitted with a wide range of attachments, they can perform tasks, including silage clamping, hay and straw stacking and loading, lifting potato boxes, loading bulk seed and fertiliser bags.”
The TM 420S is powered by an EU Stage V, 4.8-litre JCB 448 Diesel- MAX engine with a maximum output of 173hp, 690Nm of torque and an impressive power-toweight ratio of around 17hp per tonne. Emissions standards are kept in check via a clever single- canister DPF/SCR system.
Already very efficient with regards to fuel economy, this is further enhanced by the ‘autostop’ feature that shuts down the engine after a pre-determined period at idling speed.
JCB’s new 50 km/h eight-speed Powershift transmission is based on its proven six-speed unit, with two extra forward gears for smooth progression through the ratios and optimum traction in all conditions.
The 50 km/h travel speed allows rapid yard-to-field and farm-to-farm travel, alongside quieter operation and the choice of travelling at 40 km/h at lower engine revs for better fuel economy.
Torque converter lockup in every gear, including the four reverse speeds, ensures optimum performance is ensured during repeated forward/ reverse work or road travel, especially when tackling hills or towing. The transmission can also be operated manually using the joystick buttons or using automatic power-shift from gears five to eight.
In auto mode, the transmission responds to light accelerator use by shifting up and down at steady engine speed for optimum fuel economy. More aggressive pedal use induces delayed up-shifts to exploit the full power and torque available at higher revs for maximum acceleration and productivity.
Featuring a heavyduty chassis, 10-stud axles, 660mm diameter tyres, limited slip differentials and disc brakes in both axles and an electric parking brake completes the package.
Maximum lift is 4.1 tonnes, combined with maximum reach of 5.45 metres, the system featuring twin piston pumps, operating on-demand flow rate of up to 160 L/min. Meanwhile, the regenerative hydraulic circuitry exploits the weight of the boom to reduce cycle times, while always under safe control. An in-cab pressure release button for front and rear services helps ensure quick and safe change-over of attachments.
The new Command Plus cab features a onepiece windscreen that sweeps up and over the operator’s head, a redesigned internal safety grille, larger rear threequarter windows, a rear-view camera and an optional roof wiper. These design details are said to offer 13% more forward visibility and 52% more overhead, making stacking and retrieving so much easier and safer.
A new ‘memory’ steering column can be pushed away to offer improved entry or exit, while the illuminated cab steps and delayed ‘lights off’ function ensure safe approach and exit at night.
An assignable ‘hot key’ button on the hydraulic joystick can be used for several functions, including switching transmission modes, torque lock-up selection, auxiliary valve control, radio and phone controls or as a master switch for the work lights.
Customers ordering the Pro Edition specification will see the addition of Smoothride boom suspension, a transmission belly guard and a variable-speed reversing engine coolant fan. Other enhancements include a chromed exhaust stack, 360-degree LED cab-and boom-mounted lighting, twin flashing beacons, an in-cab storage box, toolbox, grease gun and Bluetooth radio.
