One of the ag industry's most innovative tractor designs just got a whole lot better with the launch of JCB’s latest 8000 series Fastrac.
The Fastrac 8330’s clever configuration is based around the now traditional four wheel suspension and high roading speeds originally unveiled in 1990.
The new 8330 model destined for Australia, comes with 3.0 metre wheel track capability, ABS braking, a new fail safe hydraulic steering system and a 14 per cent power increase over the earlier 8310 model.
Australian distributors, JCB CEA have already landed one of the 8330, 243 kilowatt (330 horsepower) machines in Perth in preparation for demonstrations, and JCB product specialist David Moselan told Fairfax Media there’d been enquiry in applications as diverse as broadacre cropping and sugar cane haulage.
Australia will only see the 8330 model with the 213 kW (290hp), 8290 considered to close in spec and power to warrant its offer.
The 8330 power rises to 255 kW (348hp) under full load - a 14 per cent increase over the predecessor 8310.
The unit offers a 10pc torque increase to 1440 Nm over the earlier model.
The CVT transmission incorporates a clutch and emergency steering pump and a wide selection of control modes.
High range for road use offers four modes, low range for paddock work and speeds to 40 km/h offers seven modes including three for cruise control.
“The operator chooses the mode to set optimum engine and transmission settings for power and economy as well as constant settings for pto or road speeds,” JCB chief innovation officer, Tim Burnhope said.
“The system can operate automatically for seamless step changes or manually to emulate a powershift drive.
“This feature is unique and attractive to operators with limited experience with stepless transmissions.”
Active traction maintains wheel grip during heavy load work and engine torque is manipulated to maintain traction and ensure stability and maximise fuel efficiency.
The unit is powered by a six cylinder Sisu 8.4 litre twin turbo, Tier 4 final engine with SCR and a DEF system cleverly hidden in the exhaust system, that now sits out of sight behind the cabins rear pillar.
JCB said the Fastrac revolution continued with the 8330 flagship model being “bigger, better and more fuel efficient than ever.”
JCB Landpower general manager, Max Jeffery, said the 8330 mid mounted cabin - the same as recently launched on the new 4000 Series Fastrac, offered tremendous working visibility and 3.5 cubic metres volume allowing room for a full size training seat and chiller bin.
The driving seat has a 70 degree rotation - 20 degrees left and 50 to the right for easy implement viewing.
The machine also features a new patented hydraulic steering system that allows 70 kilometre an hour road travel or low speed paddock work and replaces the previous mechanical linkage design.
The dual hydrostatic steering meets safety needs for high speed roading and reduces driver effort.
Pressure and flow between both hydraulic systems is monitored and if a hose failure occurs the flow is instantly switched to maintain control.
A new feature, rapid steer, also reduces lock to lock turns from four to two and helps in faster headland turns.
Multi link suspension is fitted front and rear and delivers tractive effort and high speed control Mr Jeffrey said.
“It is matched with twin caliper discs all round designed to provide the very best braking performance time and again and ABS is standard.
“This 8330 also provides significantly more power than the outgoing model and as much as 10 per cent more torque than its predecessor,” Mr Jeffrey said.
The new power has been coupled to a CVT transmission and front and rear axles have been uprated “to make it factory capable of running a 3.0 metre track critical for those controlled traffic farmers.”
The optional front hitch system features a 3.5 tonne load and twin hydraulic couplings and the rear hitch 10t and four spools.
A 137 litre per minute variable displacement pump delivers 100 l/m minute per spool flow and there’s an optional 178 l/m pump delivering 140 l/m per spool.
The rear hitch is fully integrated into the rear axle to maximise load carrying and stability for higher in-field speeds
“The absolute split of weight distribution from front to rear makes it very different to conventional tractors and the result is a machine that will do all the jobs a conventional tractor will do, but also a whole load of jobs a conventional can’t,” Mr Jeffrey said.
The weight balance more often than not meant the Fastrac did not have to carry front weights to offset implements, he said.
