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2015’s version – The JCB 541-70.
Thirty nine years is a long time since JCB launched the first Loadall telehandler in 1977.
JCB has since gone on to build 100,000 units by 2006 and recently clocking up 200,000 machines.
Now the name is generic to this type of machine, invaluable on construction sites and farms worldwide.
In 1977 the first JCB 520 (the Loadall name wasn't used until 1982) had two wheel drive and a telescopic boom that lifted 2.25 tonnes to 6.4m height. It offered more reach and capacity than the traditional rough terrain handler of the day and typically featured vertical mast design.
In agriculture the machine revolutionised productivity by stacking bales, loading muck and shovelling grain, amongst many other tasks, with performance that showed up traditional tractor/loader combinations as lacking.
In that first year only 300 machines were produced by a handful of people, whereas today many thousands are produced annually by 800 staff.
Today, the Loadall comes in 90 models – 88 built at the world headquarters in the UK for global markets and two built in India for domestic supply. That range now includes models that can lift to 20m and weights up to 6 tonnes.
A 4WD model came out in 1981.
Repositioning the engine to side-mounting resulted in the boom being lowered and better visibility. It also includes improvements to the drivelines with a torque lock system that improved climbing ability and increased road speeds.
The introduction of the patented Smooth Ride System offered boom suspension for better load retention over rough ground and increased operator comfort.
And for the future? As you would expect, JCB won't be sleeping on its laurels. Models denoted Dualtech VT will combine in one machine the traditional powershift transmission with a hydrostatic drive, giving better control in certain conditions and potential for greater productivity.
Last month's Agritechnica event led to a wide group of manufacturers celebrating successes when the 2026 Tractor of the Year Competition winners, selected by a panel of European journalists, were announced in Hanover Germany.
The recently released Claas Jaguar 1000 Series has seen its flagship 1200 set a new official Guiness World Record in forage harvesting, harvesting 4096 tonnes of whole crop silage in 12 hours, alongside an efficiency record of just 0.49 litres of fuel consumption per tonne of silage harvested.
There can't be many people who on seeing the distinctive bright yellow and red colour scheme, don’t think ‘JCB’. Indeed, JCB has largely become the generic name for all brands of excavators, not unlike the term Fridge or Hoover.
Innovation awards at international agricultural events are always on the wishlist of manufacturers.
JCB has released details of its new Fastrac 6000 Series, filling the gap between the current 4000 Series (160- 240 horsepower) and the 8000 Series (330+ horsepower).
Another Australian state has given the green light to virtual fencing, opening another market for Kiwi company Halter.
Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.
Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to the forefront of the farming sector.
Forest & Bird's Kiwi Conservation Club is inviting New Zealanders of all ages to embrace the outdoors with its Summer Adventure Challenges.
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.
