JCB is one of the pre-eminent manufacturers of construction equipment globally, they have used this experience and understanding to bring the first iteration of the rotating telehandler the company has produced to Australia.
JCB CEA is the national distributor of the JCB brand in Australia and is a part of the overarching CFC group. With branches in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth along with 56 dealers around the country, they have a strong offering in Australia.
JCB in the UK was one of the pioneers of the telescopic handlers when it developed its first in 1977 and still lead by way of innovation today with these products. It has just released its new range of telescopic handlers meeting the new AS10896 standard creating a safer platform for its customers.
Wes Henshall is the general manager for Queensland and the Northern Territory and explains why these telehandlers are so important on Australian sites.
“What we have always found with telehandlers is they are always first on site and last off it, they have multiple tools giving them incredible versatility,” he said.
“JCB continues to be number one in this space due to the JCB engines impressive fuel efficiency, in house transmissions with 6 speeds and a lock up torque converter and ride control, in house cylinder rams and more,” Henshall said.
JCB’s 5.5-26 rotating telescopic is an exciting addition to the Australian market, it has a 5.5t lift at 600mm load centres with a maximum height of 26 metres, Henshall explains more.
“The new machine just landed in Queensland and has lasted just 4 weeks on the floor with it going straight out the door to a precast concrete facility.
“It runs a lot of the same componentry as previous models, the difference for us and the important thing to note when a new machine is released, is that JCB actually makes the whole telehandler. We make the boom, the ram cylinders, the engines, the transmission and the axles.
“We have a complete understanding of all of the components and users can be confident in their use of the range, particularly if they have other JCB products,” Henshall said.
The roto is the first rotator telehandler JCB has released, having the ability to turn 360 degrees means it has been redesigned and now allows it to reach 26 metres in the air which is eight metres more than previous models.
“We use the same switches, dials and even door handles across our range, this ensures the machines are simple to use, even though this is a fresh product in Australia the JCB DNA is woven all the way through it,” he said.
The engine in the new Roto’s is a 4.8 litre JCB ECOmax t4F producing 108 kilowatts and 560 Nm of torque. The four in line diesel is connected to a Bosch Rexroth two-speed hydrostatic providing drive to all four wheels ensuring the telehandler is able to find its way through any site with confidence.
“By having these universal engines, it means if they have an issue, we have full control of the machine and a deep understanding of how it works. The same engine is used in our backhoes and our telehandlers, so it has been well tested and is well understood by technicians and users,” he said.
The low boom design offers maximum visibility which can be further enhanced with optional camera kits providing protection for those working both in and around the machine.
Operators can have the confidence to handle any load thanks to the full load management system with configurable envelope limits for working in confined spaces.
JCB’s automated technology gives one-touch auto deploy, stow and level of the outriggers, whilst still allowing for full hydraulic function. Speed profiles allow the operator to set the speed of each hydraulic service for ultimate controllability, allowing the operator to focus fully on the lift.
JCB is making this machine even more versatile than previous models, really shaking up the telehandlers in Australia.
“With this machine, we have brought it to the country with the first JCB certified man basket, this means now the machine can be used as an EWP, they can put a crane jib on it, pallet forks and a bucket, it is impressively versatile,” Henshall said.
JCB has designed and developed in-house a full range of aerial work platform baskets for use with its 14-20m telehandlers. There are three platform options, depending on the model, with capacities of 365kg, 500kg and 1,000kg. The smallest basket is a 2.4m fixed design, while the two larger models offer extending decks from 2.2m to 4.4m and a 180° slewing function.
Henshall explains how Australian construction sites fail to maximise the use of its telehandlers and how Europe shows the direction many sites will head in the near future.
“In Australia we are so behind Europe in the use of telehandlers simply due to the space we have on site in comparison. In Europe they are the first on site, they will unload the truck when they arrive, lifting pallets and equipment to height, then when the job is finished, they put a bucket on it and they can clean up the site,” Henshall explained.
“The telehandlers are sensational at accessing tight areas, as Australian sites shrink in size they will become more and more important as many pick and carry cranes will be too big,” he said.
Henshall says that the uniform nature of the JCB components coupled with an extensive network lower the instances of long downtimes for repairs.
“With JCB CEA we offer Sales, Service, Parts and Used Equipment from all locations and a NDC based out of our Sydney facility. We are a family-owned business with family values which makes us easier to deal with day to day and allows us to be more flexible,” he said,
“Rurally we have dealer support, so no matter where you are you can keep your machines going, whether that be the mines in Western Australia to a site in the heart of Sydney.
“We also find through the range of JCB products is the commonality of parts and service and accessories making the whole of life cheaper for the end user,” Henshall said.
The rotating telehandler comes with 500 hour service intervals, and impressive fuel economy to lower costs when it comes to running the machine.
Many in the industry will watch the arrival of the new Roto telehandler closely to establish whether it can stand up to the rigours of Australian sites.