JCB Realigns Backhoe Loader Range With Ecomax Engines

Tue July 31, 2012
Agricultural Equipment Guide

World backhoe loader market leader JCB is to introduce Tier 4 Interim Ecomax engines and variable flow hydraulic pumps across the 3CX and 4CX backhoe range.

Added benefits include:

- JCB Ecomax engines with no requirement for DPF or additives

- Low and high horsepower derivatives meet all customer requirements

- Variable flow hydraulic piston pumps on 91hp and 109hp derivatives

- Reduced daily checks.

"While some manufacturers have purely chased the high horsepower market, JCB continues to meet the needs of all backhoe loader customers, with both standard and high horsepower models,” said Tim Burnhope, JCB’s Chief Innovation and Growth Officer.

“Through the use of efficient JCB Ecomax engines and variable displacement hydraulic pumps, JCB backhoe loader customers can meet emissions legislation while at the same time boost productivity on site. And because we don’t need to use a DPF or after treatment additives, there has been no requirement to raise the hood line on our backhoe loaders, maintaining maximum visibility, and increasing site safety for our customers.”

Power To Perform

The Ecomax engine will be available in three power ratings for the 3CX and 4CX line-up, to suit the needs of all backhoe customers. The 3CX will come with a 74hp (55kW) engine, delivering benefits from a 1dBA reduction in noise levels.

The 3CX can also be specified with a 91hp (68kW), 319lbf-ft version of the engine as an option, delivering 4% better efficiency than the previous 92hp engine. The 4CX, will come with a 109hp (81kW) engine delivering 380lbf-ft of torque. This engine delivers 2% better fuel consumption, despite the increase in output.

The JCB Ecomax engine uses a combination of 29,000 PSI common rail fuel injection, variable geometry turbocharger and cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) to meet the US Tier 4 Interim emissions standards. Through the use of innovative in-cylinder design (patent pending) JCB Power Systems has been able to meet these standards without the need for costly diesel particulate filters (DPF) or exhaust after treatment additives such as AdBlue. As there is no requirement for a DPF

or additional cooling, it has been possible to maintain the existing hood height, resulting in excellent forward visibility and service access.

This reduces operating costs for JCB customers, simplifies operation on site and has resulted in JCB not having to greatly increase engine compartments to cope with additional cooling system components.

Another fantastic advantage for customers is the ability to recalibrate the Ecomax engine to enable the sale of used backhoes into lesser regulated countries where higher sulfur content fuels are used – a great boost to the machines’ residual value.

All 91hp and 109hp machines, now have a variable flow hydraulic pump as standard, delivering 43.5 gallons/min of flow. This high performance pump matches flow to demand, reducing fuel consumption. However peak flow is up by 32% on 74hp machines, by 14% on 91hp engines and by

7% on the 109hp backhoes.

This story also appears on Construction Equipment Guide.