A new compact wheeled loader the JCB 403 Agri will be launched at Lamma 2017 on January 18-19 in Peterborough, UK.
The machine is intended for use by pig and poultry units, dairy farms, plant nurseries and equestrian centres, needing an easy-to-use machine for cleaning out and loading duties.
With a load capacity rated at 0.3 cubic meters using a standard bucket, the new JCB 403 Agri is less than 2.2m tall and only 1.1m wide on narrow tyres, even when fitted with the new cab, which is available for the first time on a JCB wheeled loader of this size.
This fully glazed cab provides ample working space for operators and easy access through a large door with ideally-positioned grab handles and substantial steps. Machines operated mainly indoors can have an open canopy platform and ROPS/FOPS protection.
In both cases, the operator is provided with a modern colour instrument display that provides all key information without detracting from forward visibility, while the tilt steering column ensures a comfortable driving position.
Standard loader arms on the JCB 403 Agri provide a good all round combination of breakout force and lift capacity with a load-over height of 2.6m (8ft 6in). But for stacking and loading into high-sided bins or trailers, the extended arms option provides 2.8m (9ft 2in) of lift height.
A 40.5-litre/min gear pump provides quick hydraulic response and an adjustable constant flow of oil to powered attachments such as bucket feeders and animal bedding dispensers.
There is a two-speed hydrostatic transmission between the 26.5kW (35.5hp) Kubota diesel engine and the heavy-duty drive axles, with fine speed control and 92Nm of torque available in ‘low’ for digging into materials, while ‘high’ provides eager acceleration to a top speed of 20kph or 30kph as an option.
For maximum traction, manually-engaged diff locks front and rear can be added to the standard equipment, which includes parallel lift, hydraulic locking pins, joystick control of the hydraulics and transmission, and a brake pedal inching switch that avoids unnecessary wear and tear on the brakes.
The JCB 403 Agri also has the predictable steering characteristics, tight turning circle and accurate loader placement inherent with an articulated chassis, while the robust articulation joint also provides generous oscillation of the front and rear chassis sections over rough and undulating ground.
