First sale of JCB backhoes with lock-up torque converter
11/05/05

York-based Collier Plant Hire is stealing a march on its rivals by becoming the first UK company to purchase a new JCB 3CX backhoe loader fleet complete with lock-up torque converters.

The firm has taken delivery of 21 of the machines which were launched at Conexpo.

The lock up torque converter - known as Torque Lock - is JCB's latest backhoe innovation which, when fitted to the machine, engages in top gear and ensures it maintains top speed for longer, which is particularly advantageous when travelling up hill.

This development makes the new backhoes even more productive and cost efficient. At full engine rpm it can reduce travelling time between job sites by 10% and improve fuel consumption by up to 13% - a revolutionary development giving customers an even better return on their investment. Alternatively, if the operator decreases rpm with the lock up torque converter engaged, it still achieves comparable travel speeds with a machine not fitted with the system, but with up to 25% savings in fuel consumption.

Richard Collier said: “I thought I wanted to buy ten machines, but after I had a demo at the factory with the new torque converter option, I went to JCB dealer T C Harrison and bought 21!

“Some of our customers have very high pressure construction and civil engineering contracts to complete. There are high volumes of work and sometimes difficult conditions. My JCBs have always been good for these jobs - the specification and build quality are good and they are designed with comfort and handling in mind, so operators like them. But the new machines with lock up torque converters not only save my customers time and money, enabling them to get through the work more quickly, they also save us all money by improving the fuel consumption.”

JCB 3CXs are purpose designed for tough construction civil engineering projects. Powerful illumination for night work, great all round visibility, ergonomic instrumentation and servo-assisted brakes make the machine especially easy to handle.

The lock-up torque converter is available as an option on powershift and autoshift transmission models featuring the new JCB engine (92hp and 100hp turbocharged versions). It works by engaging the top gears to eliminate losses in torque.