IDA Universal

I DA U N I V E R S A L Au g u s t - S e p te m b e r 2 0 2 3 37 TRACKED AND TAIL SWING EXCAVATORS FOR CHALLENGING JOBSITES Providing a wide range of standard, full-sized excava- tors, as well as compact or mini excavators, JCB North America increased its lineup with two new offerings last year: the 50Z-1 Compact Excavator and the 245XR. Developed to offer longer dig end geometry, leading to an increase in dig depth, reach and dump height, the 50Z-1, a mini, tracked excavator, continues the manufacturer's 50-year-long tradition of creating tracked excavators. Cost effective, easy to utilize and highly effi cient, the excavator can be used on highly challenging jobsites, as it's comprised of 100 percent steel. Utilizing a 48.3 hp engine, the excavator, which has an 11,089- pound operating weight, provides 500-hour greasing intervals, along with sectioned hydraulic hoses that have bulkheads, which are easy to access. "Highly comfortable, due to its spacious interior, the 50Z-1 has a dig depth of up to 11 feet and 11 inches," said Javier Marin, product manager, heavy excava- tors and wheel loaders, JCB North America. "It also offers a dump height of up to 13 feet and 5 inches, along with zero tail swing.' Meanwhile, the 245XR, a 28-ton reduced tail swing excavator, provides opera- tors considerable space, high power and comfort—all within a compact unit. Created over a period of 4 years, as extensive electrical, electronic and hydraulic development were required, the 245XR underwent hot and cold climate tests, ranging from -22 to 131 , along with machine shaker rig testing, which duplicated 15,000 hours of tracking and vibrations. Featuring the manufacturer's DIESELMAX 173 hp engine, which has been used in 70 different machines thus far, the 245XR has an operating weight of 61,749 pounds, a bucket capacity of 1.63 cubic yards and a dig depth of 21 feet and 9 inches, at most. Additionally, it has various hydraulic components that deliver effi cient, accurate control for any task that users need to conduct. "Furthermore, it offers customizable, electro-proportional controls, which enable operators to establish their own preference, regarding their attachments' control and speed," Marin said. "And, for further effi ciency, the 245XR also has the latest genera- tion valve block that's available." Due to its reduced tail swing—a radius of 5 feet and 9 inches, a decline of 40 percent, in comparison to the previously released 220X—the excavator can be safely used in tight, high traffi c areas, as well as against buildings and road barriers. "Our excavators provide cutting-edge technology that's backed by years of research and devel- opment to ensure operators receive the best products possible," Marin stated. "In fact, thousands of hours are spent on testing to make sure our excavators hold up to the demands put on them." Moreover, JCB North America has an ever-increasing dealer network that enables operators to properly service their excavators if any issues ever arise. "Each of our excavators may have their own unique charac- teristics, yet they all have one similarity: the same amount of attention, concerning details, are given to each of them, ensuring their long-term effi ciency," Marin stressed. "As a matter of fact, operators will notice many similar- ities across our entire excavator portfolio since JCB's technologies benefi t each of its excavators, no matter the size." TRANSITIONING TO PERFORMANCE TIERING Over the past year, John Deere Construction & Forestry has been transitioning its excava- tors, model by model, to perfor- mance tiering. For instance, it's offering P-Tier models, which are highly comfortable, effi cient and technologically driven. Available in various options, ranging from the 130 to the 470, P-Tier models have standard LED work lights, along with an optional right, rear and left camera system. Providing additional LED surround lighting, the system, in turn, offers opera- tors 270-degree visibility, which is integrated into each camera's main monitor. In the meantime, the 210 to 380 models utilize electronic cooling fans, leading to 7 percent higher fuel economy, when compared to the manufacturer's rugged G-Series excavators. They also have central lubrica- tion at their arm tips, along with enhanced pin and bushing designs, which simplify their greasing maintenance require- ments, resulting in front joint life improvements, as well. And, fi nally, four of the P-Tier models—the 210, 350, 380 and 470—have optional SmartGrade precision technology, too, enabling operators to run them without any limitations whatsoever, as well as within any position. Consequently, they can lean their excava- tors' front wheels, control their articulation and pitch their blades effortlessly, all while maintaining a high amount of accuracy. "Our prior G-Series excava- tors built a foundation of performance and reliability, backed by our dealer- ship network for sales, service and support," said Justin Steger, solutions marketing manager, John Deere. "We took that foundation and built upon it, as the P-Tier has various features that meet opera- tors' needs and offer value to their businesses." PREVENTING THEFTS, VIA GPS AND TELEMATICS Available with the 50Z-1 Compact Excavator and the 245XR, JCB LiveLink enables operators to effortlessly monitor their excavators and the amount of hours in which they're used, while also providing them alerts Reach continued from page 35 Story continued on page 39

• Cover