JCB takes the Stage
14 April 2021
At a press launch yesterday, JCB announced new machines designed to enable users to meet the Stage V emissions regulations, and a clear message was that construction plant with clean-burning diesel engines will be with us for some time yet.
Tim Burnhope, the manufacturer’s Chief Innovation & Growth Officer, said that while achieving carbon zero working practices by 2050 was the UK’s ultimate goal, modern internal combustion engines and cleaner fuels like hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) would remain necessary until efficient and cost-effective replacements became available.
New machines include three Dash Series 2 excavators in the 4-6 tonne class, building on earlier Series 1 models. The zero tail swing 50Z-2 replaces both the previous 48Z-1 and 51R-1 minis, the 56Z-2 takes over from the 55Z-1 and the conventional tail swing 60C-2 replaces the 57C-1.
All have Stage V 1.7-litre 45.6hp engines with no requirement for diesel exhaust fluid treatments such as AdBlue as they have a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) and a diesel particulate filter (DPF).
The hydraulic system comes with programmable auto-stop, auto-idle and one-touch idle functions. LED work lights are fitted as standard as is an integrated rear-view camera.
JCB is also launching two new Dash Series 1 additions, namely the 35Z-1, pictured, a 3.5-tonne zero tail swing model, and the 3.6-tonne conventional tail swing 36C-1.
They replace the previous generation 8035ZTS machine and have a Stage V Perkins engine delivering 24.6hp and with mechanical fuel injection. Being in this power band it has no requirement for a DPF or any exhaust after-treatment.
A programmable auto-idle function reduces engine speed to 1,400rpm when the levers have not been used for a pre-set time between two and 30 seconds. When the left-hand control pod is lifted, isolating the machine’s hydraulics, the engine speed falls again, to 1,100rpm, reducing fuel consumption and noise levels.
The machines have a Bosch-Rexroth variable displacement, load-sensing hydraulic pump to eliminate stalling and to make it possible to use all the engine’s output, says JCB.
New also is the manufacturer’s first Rental Series (RS) generator set with a Stage V engine. The G40RS V replaces the Stage IIIA G36RS model, delivering 40kVA at 50Hz. A combined DPF and DOC is mounted in front of the radiator for compactness.
* The likely timetable for the introduction of carbon-zero alternatives is a topic that was discussed on the blog recently.
