At Bauma, JCB uveiled a Loadall telehandler that lifts loads up to 65'6". Maximum lift capacity on the JCB 550-200 is 10,000 lbs. Lift and Access has confirmed the model is available in Europe and will be coming to the North American market in the future, but the company has not set a timetable for the introduction.
The boom of the 550-200 has been specifically designed for the construction market, using lightweight, high-grade material to improve the capacity of the machine at reach.
It utilizes a five-stage boom design, which ensures that overall machine length is kept to a minimum and that site maneuverability is maximized. High productivity is also a major benefit of this design as it provides optimum forward visibility, allowing for quick and easy changes in direction.
The five-stage boom is driven by an internal extension ram and chain system, providing proportional extension of the boom.
The design of the chain and roller system uses a pre-lubricated chain, increasing service intervals and minimizing machine downtime. The system is also designed to visibly show the operator and service engineer when chain adjustment is necessary. And to maximize stability while working at these massive heights, the stabilizer package is set forward, providing a compact yet stable machine footprint and complete operator peace of mind.
In common with the whole of the JCB Loadall range, the boom nose is a one-piece design, which minimizes the stresses placed on the inner boom during operation, providing maximum strength and rigidity.
A single auxiliary service comes as standard for quick and easy interchanging of hydraulic attachments. This is combined with a new drain line as standard, which helps to maintain the appropriate operating pressures for use of attachments such as a jib and winch.
The boom nose is fitted with a JCB Clearview carriage, which allows for the quick and easy interchange of attachments. Productivity is therefore enhanced because of the excellent forward visibility of fork mounted loads, which maximizes lift and place accuracy. There is also the option of a fork positioning attachment which is simply operated through the standard single auxiliary.
Key Components
The chassis is made from 0.8 in thick sides plates combined with a thick deck plate and 2 long torsion boxes which combine to provide excellent strength and rigidity throughout the structure.
Fitted with JCB axles, the 550-200 also uses the same proven driveline of JCB’s current flagship 550-170 machine. This enables an excellent turning circle over the tires for superb maneuverability on construction sites where space is becoming increasingly tight.
The machine is fitted with the industry renowned JCB Ecomax109-hp engine which provides maximum power and torque. A gas strut-assisted hood easily opens to provide access to all the daily check points, including oil, water and the air filter.
At the rear of the machine, the boom is mounted low in the chassis, with the extension ram and hoses installed inside the boom sections, helping provide both excellent over the boom visibility for the operator and an extremely rigid structure to support the boom whatever the application.
The machine is fitted with a cab-mounted servo controlled joystick, providing effortless, precise and responsive control of all the hydraulic services, an ideal combination for high productivity applications that require continuous, fatigue-free operation.
To ensure maximum productivity, the JCB 550-200 has a 29 gallon/minute Tandem Gear pump for fast and efficient cycle times and simultaneous multi-service use.
The Cab
As with the existing spacious cab, the instruments are offset to one side, providing excellent forward visibility. The cleverly angled roof bars provide excellent upward visibility through the large roof window, which is so important for fast placing of loads at height.
The left-hand lever controls the forward and reverse functions and features a twist grip gear selector for efficient gear and direction changes. The right hand lever provides control of the indicators, lights and windscreen wiper.
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