A JCB product that changed the handling of loads on construction sites and farms around the world passed a major milestone – the production of the 200,000th machine. Source: AFDJ eNews
The JCB Loadall telescopic handler was first manufactured in 1977, transforming lifting and loading tasks on building sites, which until then had been carried out by a small team of men.
On farms the purpose-built machine boosted productivity, replacing rudimentary tractor mounted hydraulic loaders.
The first JCB Loadall was produced on October 3, 1977 and in the first full year of production fewer than 300 machines were made.
Today thousands of Loadalls roll off the production line every year.
JCB Chairman Lord Bamford said the JCB Loadall has become a very important machine for JCB and for the construction and agricultural industries.
“Revolutionary is often a word that is over-used, but in the case of the Loadall it is a perfect description,” he said. “The way loads are handled on building sites and farms has never been the same since we introduced the Loadall in 1977.
“The JCB team involved in manufacturing and selling the Loadall is to be congratulated on reaching the production milestone of 200,000 machines.”
It took almost 30 years for JCB to sell the first 100,000 Loadalls but it has taken less than 10 for the next 100,000 to be sold.
JCB now manufactures a total of 90 different Loadall models.
One of the major the innovations over the past 39 years was the introduction of a range of machines with an engine on the side rather than in the centre, which enabled the boom to be lowered, improving visibility.
In 2008 visibility improvements took another huge leap forward with the introduction of the Hi-Viz range, which lowered the boom even further.
The torque lock system introduced on Loadalls in 2001 was also a major milestone because it meant machines could travel more quickly on the road and perform much better up hills – as well as improving fuel consumption.
The patented Smooth Ride System gave a major boost to users because it improved material retention in the bucket when travelling over rough ground, boosting productivity as well as improving operator comfort.
