The flagship model in JCB’s new-generation telescopic wheeled loader range will make its long-awaited public working debut at ScotGrass on May 18 when the JCB TM420S is put to work on the event silage clamp at SRUC Crichton Royal on the outskirts of Dumfries.

The event’s location in south-west Scotland attracts visitors from Ireland and northern England as well as from throughout Scotland; full details are on the scotgrass.co.uk website.

Farmers and contractors get see the latest grass harvesting machinery in action on field-scale plots and a large storage clamp, and visitors can seek information and advice on technical topics affecting the livestock industry from industry experts and suppliers of products and services.

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The TM420S newcomer to JCB’s extensive materials handling range is one of the most powerful machines of its type, the JCB four-cylinder engine developing 173hp and copious amounts of torque.

It makes good use of that performance with a unique transmission providing eight powershift speeds with torque converter lock-up available throughout for ultimate pushing power, and 50kph top speed capability for fast journeys between clamp-filling locations.

To suit different applications, the transmission’s auto mode responds to light accelerator pedal use by shifting up and down at a relatively steady engine speed for best fuel economy.

But more aggressive pedal use results in delayed up-shifts to exploit the JCB engine’s full power and torque for maximum acceleration and productivity.

JCB Agriculture Managing Director John Smith said: “The new-generation ‘TM’ telescopic wheeled loaders underscore JCB’s leading position in agricultural materials handling.

“As tough, durable and highly manoeuvrable machines, they have always been at the top of the popularity charts with farmers and agricultural contractors.”

The TM420S that will work alongside a JCB 435S agricultural loading shovel on the ScotGrass silage clamp is not only equipped with JCB’s most powerful four-cylinder engine and the 50kph eight-speed transmission, but also a dual pump hydraulics package that is unique to the TM range.

A JCB ‘regenerative’ boom hydraulics system exploits the weight of the boom to bring it down quickly but under full control for faster loading cycle times, while the 100cc total pump capacity delivers up to 160-litre/min flow for boom and attachment operation, and up to 100-litre/min to auxiliary services.

This level of performance allows the loader to be operated well within its capabilities without having to repeatedly rev the engine to achieve sufficient oil flow, giving the driver a quiet, relaxed operating experience and good fuel economy while still delivering the high productivity needed to keep pace with a large farm or contractor’s silage harvesting team. 

Operators also get to experience the TM’s new cab with its increased overhead glass area, larger rear three-quarter windows and standard rear-view camera, which together provide improved visibility all round for confident clamp filling and loading.

While the TM420S and 435S loaders are in action on the silage clamp, JCB Fastrac tractors and Loadall telescopic handlers will be put through their paces on the field working plots where JCB is cooperating with Krone to demonstrate highly efficient and operator-friendly grass harvesting systems.