The unique DualTech VT variable transmission has been developed by JCB's own engineering team and is at the heart of a new range of premium-specification, high-performance telescopic handlers launched by JCB Agriculture: the JCB 531-70, 536-70 and 541-70 AGRI Pro Loadalls. The machines now have an advanced powertrain that brings together the proven power, torque and economy of the 4.8-litre JCB EcoMAX engine and the exclusive new DualTech VT transmission.

JCB Chief Engineering and Innovation Officer Tim Burnhope said: “DualTech VT truly provides the best of both worlds, combining the low-speed controllability and easy driving characteristics of hydrostatics with the higher speed efficiency of direct drive powershift. The result is a machine range which is up to a massive 25% more productive than competitive models when handling. Drawing on our expertise in both hydrostatic and powershift transmissions, DualTech VT is a massive achievement for our design and engineering team who have raised driveline technology to new heights. The new AGRI Pro Loadalls offer unique features and driving characteristics making them perfect for farmyard, field and road.”

Key features of the new DualTech VT transmission include:

• Fully hydrostatic drive providing fine stepless speed control up to 19kph from standstill
• Automatic switching to electronically-modulated three-speed powershift above 19kph for optimum power efficiency in higher speed field work, road travel and towing
• Power and Economy modes to optimise performance, efficiency and running costs and minimise running costs.
• Flexi mode to provide independent engine speed and ground speed control
• Selectable full-time 4WD or Auto 2WD over 19kph for optimum driveline efficiency and reduced tyre wear

Thanks to these features, the new Loadall AGRI Pro machines have exceptionally precise low-speed manoeuvring control and smooth, progressive response for loading and handling cycles, which the operator can adjust and fine tune to suit different applications and his personal preferences. At the same time, the direct drive powershift element of the transmission gives these new handlers the best climbing and high-speed towing ability. It all adds up to significant productivity gains across the board over existing competitive telescopic handlers.

The impact on productivity, especially for repeat loading cycles, is exceptional: up 13% over JCB's current class-leading Agri Super handlers and up to 25% over equivalent competitor machines.

Tim Burnhope said:  “Combining the superior high speed efficiency and towing ability of a JCB powershift transmission with the low-speed precision control advantages of a hydrostatic drive creates the ideal combination for operators who want maximum productivity and efficiency, and a premium driving experience. AGRI Pro Loadalls deliver the best of both worlds in one machine.”

Loadall AGRI Pro

The innovative DualTech VT transmission is being launched in a new three-model range of seven metre Loadall telescopic handlers with lift capacities of 3.1 tonnes, 3.6 tonnes and 4.1 tonnes. The 531-70, 536-70 and 541-70 AGRI Pro are premium-specification machines designed for customers wanting the ultimate telehandler in terms of productivity, performance, efficiency and ease of use.

Distinguishable externally by a signature black roof panel, the handlers have ‘AGRI Pro' branding on the instrument panel, steering wheel, cab entry kick strip and air suspension seat to mark them out as the highest performing machines in the agricultural Loadall range.

Standard specification includes a seat-mounted servo joystick with proportional roller switches for boom extend and retract; a transmission forward/reverse trigger switch that complements the traditional left-hand power shuttle; and high intensity LED work and driving lamps front and rear that provide 360deg ‘daylight' illumination for maximum safety and productivity in low light. Power brakes first installed on the Loadall 550-80 feature on the AGRI Pro machines, providing top level braking performance for heavy towing and reduced pedal effort.

Smart Technology

JCB's 140-litre/min flow-on-demand piston pump hydraulics system has proven performance and fuel economy advantages, which largely result from the unique regenerative hydraulic circuit for the lift and extend cylinders. This regulates oil flow in a way that allows the boom to lower significantly faster than usual but still under full control.

The impact on productivity, especially for repeat loading cycles, is exceptional. Side-by-side comparisons of Loadall handlers with and without the system show an improvement in loading cycle times of as much as 20% or a 15% reduction in the amount of fuel consumed to move the same amount of material.

A new high flow auxiliary hydraulics circuit provides up to 110-litre/min flow at 190 bar pressure for powering feeders, bale spreaders and similar implements with a high demand for oil and hydraulic power, and a venting system operated by a switch in the cab releases pressure at the couplings for quicker and easier attachment change-over.

An Auto mode for the boom's Smooth Ride System (SRS) disengages the system when the handler is operating at low speed – for precise placement of a pallet or potato box, for example – and automatically re-engages it when ground speed exceeds 4kph once more.

The Loadall's patented Bucket Control System eliminates repeated joystick movements to shift sticky and fine materials from a bucket or grab; instead, with this feature selected, the operator simply moves the joystick sideways and the intensity of the attachment shaking action is determined simply by how far the operator moves the joystick.

Powerful, economical JCB EcoMAX engine

All three JCB Loadall AGRI Pro handlers are powered by the 4.8-litre version of JCB's EcoMAX diesel engine, developing 145hp (108kW) at 2200rpm and 560Nm (413lbf ft) of torque at just 1500rpm. Exhaust emissions to European Stage IV / US Tier 4 Final standards are achieved using a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system.

This one-can solution is sufficiently compact to be housed within the exhaust silencer located under the engine hood where it is protected from the weather, mud and dust. Thanks to the EcoMAX engine's combustion efficiency, there is no need for a costly particulate filter with its added servicing requirements.

DualTech VT transmission

The new JCB DualTech VT transmission exploits the power and economy potential of the JCB EcoMAX T4 Final engine with hydrostatic and powershift drive systems using proven components uniquely combined for the first time in a single housing. The two modules work in harmony, seamlessly and automatically, to provide easy driving characteristics that can be fine-tuned to optimise driving comfort and performance for different applications.

The advanced hardware and control calibration for the DualTech VT transmission were developed in-house by JCB engineers and the transmission is now being produced on a new high-tech assembly line at JCB Transmissions in Wrexham, North Wales, where most of the powershift and synchromesh transmissions, transfer gearboxes and axles used in JCB machines are designed, engineered and manufactured.

Hydrostatic drive

The hydrostatic drive module of the DualTech VT transmission uses an electronically-controlled hydraulic pump and motor combination to provide fast response, fine speed adjustment and infinitely variable working speeds up to 19kph.

Unlike hydrostatic transmissions in other telescopic handlers, which must handle power delivery from zero to top speed, the hydrostatic module in DualTech VT is optimised for low-speed response and controllability. As a result, it is quiet and smooth, as well as responsive and power-efficient.

In normal Drive mode, pressing the accelerator pedal influences both hydrostatic output and engine speed, with the control electronics balancing the two according to the driver's demands. Precision inching is available through the brake pedal – initial movement progressively disengages hydrostatic drive, giving the operator total control when pushing into a muck heap with no wear and tear on the brakes.

Engaging Flexi mode by pressing and holding the transmission down-shift button allows engine speed and ground speed to be controlled independently for the first time on a full-size Loadall.

An electronic hand throttle is used to select pre-set engine speeds – peak torque at 1500rpm, peak power at 2200rpm – or make adjustments in 100rpm increments. A dial adjusts maximum speed available from the hydrostatic drive between virtually zero and 19kph.

The Flexi mode can be exploited for bulk handling and loading operations by setting the engine speed for optimum boom hydraulics performance, leaving the operator to regulate the handler's ground speed using the accelerator pedal and focus on steering and boom operation.

Adjusting a speed-regulating dial enables the operator to limit hydrostatic drive top speed and so optimise driving characteristics for short loading cycles and confined locations – an especially useful feature when loading a manure spreader from a cattle shed, for example.

Flexi mode also builds on the Vari-Speed feature of the fully hydrostatic JCB 525-60 compact  handler to operate an attachment with hydraulic drive – such as a yard sweeper, straw spreader or feeder bucket.

In this situation, the engine speed is set to deliver the required amount of oil from the new 110-litre/min high-flow auxiliary hydraulics circuit and a low ground speed is dialled in to dispense feed or bedding material at the required rate.

A ‘memory' feature in Flexi mode means the operator can resume full speed – to empty a sweeper bucket or collect another batch of feed – and then return to the chosen settings with just a couple of button presses.

Powershift drive

When a Loadall AGRI Pro telehandler accelerates beyond 19kph (11mph), whether in the field or on the road, the DualTech VT variable transmission automatically switches to its powershift system, where electronically modulated clutch packs make barely noticeable shifts between three mechanical gears up to the 40kph (25mph) top speed.

With no torque converter needed, direct drive in each gear makes the most of available torque to deliver quick acceleration, strong climbing ability and the impetus to maintain speed on road inclines.

The transmission will skip-shift down to the lowest ratio, ready to pull away after slowing for a road junction and will short-shift when accelerating with a light load. Also, the transmission can be restricted to gears one, two or three as appropriate for field work – gathering and loading bales, for example. 

Productivity and Economy gains

By optimising the drivetrain to utilise the EcoMAX engine's torque characteristics for different work and travelling situations, the new DualTech VT transmission complements JCB's expertise in engine and hydraulics performance and efficiency to create a highly productive handler.

Operators can fully capitalise on this by using the ‘power' and ‘economy' settings as appropriate – the former allows the transmission to exploit full engine revs and power output in both hydrostatic and powershift drive, while the latter puts a 1700rpm ceiling on engine revs in working gears, changes the engine's power delivery characteristics and initiates earlier up-shifts to use the least amount of fuel. The ‘economy' mode typically reduces fuel consumption by more than 5% across an average agricultural telehandler duty cycle.

During more than 10,000 hours of customer evaluation using 10 pre-production Loadall AGRI Pro handlers, JCB LiveLink telematics data records revealed average fuel consumption of just 6.4 litres/hr – significantly lower than the best competitor claims for fuel economy. Side-by-side comparisons have also revealed an 8.5% productivity advantage to the AGRI Pro across an average agricultural duty cycle, as well as a 16% advantage when towing and, remarkably, a 25% higher productivity figure when handling.

“As farming businesses become bigger and they operate on land distributed over a wider area, so the ability to travel quickly and efficiently between sites has become increasingly important,” said Tim Burnhope. “JCB Loadall telescopic handlers are already renowned among professional operators for their roading and towing ability; the AGRI Pro models now offer the low-speed controllability of driver-adjustable hydrostatic drive.

“The DualTech VT transmission is a prime example of JCB's innovation and engineering strengths coming together to create the best of both worlds: a new AGRI Pro product range that will bring new levels of productivity, performance, control, refinement, fuel efficiency and positive operator experience to the Loadall – the World's Number One telescopic handler.”