The latest JCB Fastrac, featuring an all-new touch screen control interface and other significant upgrades, will make its Midlands Machinery Show debut at the Newark Showground in November alongside a selection of JCB materials handling solutions exhibited by JCB dealers Sharmans Agricultural and G&J Peck Ltd.

The latest Fastrac 4000 and 8000 Series tractors have an all-new electronics infrastructure that includes fully integrated ISOBUS implement control and GPS guidance options, with everything operated using the new iCON armrest control console incorporating a 12in colour touch-screen display.

In addition to creating this new operator-machine interface during an extensive four-year development programme, JCB engineers also developed new control strategies for the CVT transmission, with fully automatic speed-based powertrain management introduced alongside existing modes.

Automatic switching between pedal and joystick driving techniques is triggered simply by using these different controls during field work and road travel, and a new joystick-mounted thumb roller provides fine speed adjustment.

Jon Wareing, JCB Sales Manager at Pecks said: “The Fastrac iCON with its all-new control system and other upgrades has generated huge interest, so we’re planning to exhibit our 348hp Fastrac 8330 iCON demonstrator for visitors to sit in the cab and appreciate the features of the new controls, which are so intuitive to set up and use.”

Pecks currently offers JCB sales and service support from its Ely head office and Ramsey St Mary’s branches in Cambridgeshire, Mareham Le Fen and Pinchbeck near Spalding in Lincolnshire, and from the Dereham branch in Norfolk; from the beginning of 2023, the dealership will also cover JCB’s Suffolk territory.

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The Fastrac iCON has also been well received at Sharmans, with customers among the first to have taken delivery of the new 235hp Fastrac 4220 iCON and put it to work.

Managing director Scott Barclay said: “The Fastrac has always had strong appeal with its unrivalled ride comfort, great all-round visibility, and fast working and road speeds.

“With the new iCON version, it’s also up with the best in terms of tractor and implement control and guidance, with an enhanced transmission also contributing to a more enjoyable, more productive experience for the operator.”

Sharmans branches at Grantham, Melton Mowbray, Lowdham and Pytchley near Kettering cover a JCB territory that extends from South Yorkshire through Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland to Northamptonshire.

Pecks and Sharmans also plan to exhibit examples of JCB’s world-leading range of Loadall telescopic handlers, which earlier this year was expanded with the new 542-70 AGRI Pro.

In addition to the Loadall’s established features, this high-performance handler eclipses rivals with its 173hp JCB DieselMAX engine output, 50kph DualTech VT transmission, 22% greater dynamic tractive effort and 14% greater hydraulic flow at 160-litre/min.

All of which adds up to a significant increase in productivity potential for large farming enterprises and contracting businesses.

The Midlands Machinery Show will be hosted by the Newark & Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society on November 16th and 17th at the Newark Showground.