view from the cab
DOWN ON THE FARM AS NEW JCB 4CX MAKES ‘FIRST’ APPEARANCE IN NORTHERN IRELAND The first new JCB 4CX Eco Sitemaster Backhoe Loader to be delivered in Northern Ireland by Dennison JCB is already impressing its County Down operator. Farmer Robert Malcolmson from the townland of Moneyslane traded in his JCB 3CX which was in immaculate condition after four years earning its keep on a variety of agricultural projects. “The new JCB 4CX is such a marked improvement on my earlier model,” says Robert who adds that he particularly likes the 4-wheel steer which provides excellent manoeuvrability and handling, while the six-speed autoshift transmission with its floor mounted kickdown switch provides greater pulling power. “It is also a lot more stable and steady, especially when using the front bucket at height, such as when I am loading up bales
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of hay or handling silage. The cruise control feature is also excellent out on the open road. “The cab, too, is a big improvement; plenty of space, great visibility, air conditioning, a heated air suspension seat and lots more extras over and above what the JCB 3CX had, so I am delighted with it so far. It is a brilliant, all round, versatile workhorse.” JCB tractor backhoes, of course, have always had class-leading braking performance but, as Robert drew to our attention, the 4CX takes this even further. Modelled on car brakes, the power brakes provide proportional braking throughout the pedal travel for superb control with minimal effort. Investing in the new model wasn’t a spur of the moment decision for Robert, as he explains: “I watched it in action on some YouTube videos and was impressed by the various demonstrations, so I made a few enquiries at Dennison JCB and haven’t
looked back. It is the first time I have dealt with them, and they were very friendly and helpful throughout the process.” Robert didn’t need to buy any extra attachments, either, as they all easily transferred from the JCB 3CX; they included silage and bale grabs and various buckets.
Fit for Purpose Powered by an EcoMAX engine which delivers as much as 81kW (109hp) and 516Nm of torque, the JCB 4CX Eco cab is rubber-mounted and isolated for low noise and vibration, as Robert discovered. He was also impressed with the seat-mounted excavator-style fingertip controls and the machine’s impressive manoeuvrability, as we mentioned earlier, which comes into its own while working in tight or restricted places around the farm; it is certainly a machine that is fit for purpose.
