JCB Enters Aerial Lift Market

By the end of the year, the company will offer 27 totally new access platforms, covering more than 80% of the access rental market. JCB has been developing and engineering this line-up of powered access machines in secret for the past two years, and all models have been certified by TUV to ensure the highest quality standards. The machines also comply with the latest ANSI and CSA legislation.

The line-up will include:
·      Nine electric scissor lifts from 15’ (4.6m) to 45’ (13.8m)
·      Three diesel rough-terrain scissor lifts
·      Four diesel articulating booms from 50’ (14.9m) to 80’ (24.6m)
·      One electric articulating boom with a 45’ (13.7m) working height
·      10 diesel telescopic booms from 65’ (20.6m) to 135’ (41.1m)

JCB Chairman Lord Bamford said: “The access market is a truly global market and offers immense opportunities for growth for JCB. It’s a market that is ripe for a new supplier with the ability to offer industry-leading, round-the clock-product support. JCB’s 770 dealers, with 2,200 locations, can deliver the back-up that global customers expect.”

This ground-breaking move will see JCB grab a slice of a market worth 130,000 units a year and generating an annual revenue of $8 billion. Designed in-house to meet the needs of rental companies and contractors worldwide, the platforms will initially be offered in North America, the UK, France and Germany.

Lord Bamford added: “Customers in this industry now have a highly credible alternative with a range of products built and certified to a higher standard. We are very excited about the opportunities this offers the rental customers that we already know very well.”

ConExpo-ConAgg will provide the global launch for JCB’s telescopic and articulated boom platforms, with a 50’ (14.9m) AJ50D diesel articulated boom taking center stage on the company’s stand in the Gold Lot. The machine is powered by a Tier-4-Final JCB Diesel by Kohler engine, as are the remaining articulated and all telescopic platforms. Load capacities range from 500-550lb (227-250kg), enough for two occupants and tools.

The four diesel articulated-boom models will be offered with four-wheel drive and two-wheel steer, delivering up to 40% gradeability and a maximum stowed driving speed of up to 4.4mph (7kp/h). These will be joined by a 45’ (13.7m) platform height AJ45E electric-powered, articulating-boom model in Q3. The electric model has two-wheel drive and two-wheel steering, with up to 30% gradeability.

An extensive range of 10 diesel-powered telescopic booms will be added throughout 2017. These machines will offer platform heights from 65’ (20.6m) to 135’ (45.6m). There will be a high degree of parts commonality between the three model ranges, reducing cost and complexity for customers and dealers.

The scissor lifts have operating weights of between 2,930-7,420lb (1,330kg-3,366kg). The two smallest models (S1530e and S1930e) offer platforms measuring 5’4” (1.64m) long by 2’6” (0.76m) wide, while the majority of larger models use an 8’2” (2.5m) long platform. The largest S4550E model has an 8’ 8” (2.64m)-long working area. The machines are rated for basket capacities from 500lb (227kg) to a maximum of 1,212lb (550kg), and the electric scissors are powered by four 6V or 12V batteries, with hydraulic drive. The three diesel models will be introduced later in 2017.

JCB’s global dealer network has been undergoing full sales and service training to be able to provide world-class back-up for the access platform ranges. JCB’s LiveLink telematic system will be incorporated as standard on all booms, and it will be available as an option on the scissors, providing customers and rental fleets in particular with a full telematics link to the platforms for increased security and maximum uptime.

For more information: www.jcb.com