JCB Supplies 250 Wheel Loaders to U.S. Air Force During Five Year Span

Fri July 03, 2009
Aggregate Equipment Guide

JCB continues its long-standing relationship of supplying the U.S. Air Force with wheel loaders. The ongoing relationship has resulted in 92 JCB wheel loaders in the 100 and 165 hp (74.5 and 123 kW) range shipped to date in 2009, and more than 250 units contracted during the past five years.

“We are proud to continue meeting the stringent U.S. military requirements for strength and durability with our machines,” said Chief Executive Officer John Patterson. “We are currently supplying the U.S. Army with the 800 high mobility engineer excavators in addition to the wheel loaders that are being supplied to the U.S. Air Force. Earning our stripes with the U.S. Military is a testament to the quality of our machines, and we look forward to continuing this relationship.”

Used for base maintenance and to clear runways for B-52s in the United States, the 416HT (100 hp) and the 426HT (165 hp) will actively serve a wide variety of applications overseas. Louie Wright, a JCB government dealer added that JCB has a long-standing relationship with the U.S. Air Force and many other divisions of the military supplying JCB wheel loaders, backhoe loaders and many other types of JCB machinery.

Wright mentioned that the U.S. Air Force will utilize these units in the United States, as well as deployed overseas in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf. The 416HT and 426HT wheel loaders continue to meet a military demand in the marketplace as JCB has averaged 20 shipped units per month in 2009.

The JCB 416HT is a high bucket torque wheeled loader with a JCB Diesel Max engine which produces 121 hp (90 kW) net. The 426HT features a Cummins QSB63.7 engine and produces 152 hp (113 kW). Coupled with a semi-automatic transmission both the 416HT and the 426HT are highly fuel efficient, according to the manufacturer.

Additionally, both the 416HT and the 426HT offer optional limited slip differentials on the front and rear tires, which increases traction in poor conditions. These machines also offer an optional smooth ride system, which reduces machine bounce, increases productive capacity and improves operator comfort during load and carry cycles.

Ergonomically designed to eliminate operator fatigue, the 416HT and 426HT have fully adjustable seats and steering columns for greater comfort. The cabs are pressurized with positive filtration to keep the air clean and available air-conditioning helps maintain a dust-free and comfortable environment.

Additional features include load sensed hydraulics, which reduce wear and minimize fuel consumption by delivering oil only on demand. The steering cylinders on both machines are mounted high on the main frame for greater protection against the elements. An available factory installed auto greasing system protects the machines in even the most extreme applications, which is well-suited for military use.

JCB’s North American headquarters are in Savannah, Ga., with an extensive network of dealers located throughout the United States and Canada.

For more information, call 912/447-2000 or visit www.jcbna.com.

This story also appears on Construction Equipment Guide.