First European showing for JCB's US-built skid steers

Seven skid steers - four wheeled and three tracked - have been added in a range that will eventually grow to 18 models. All seven are vertical lift, which the company said allowed for increased capacity and more reach at maximum lift height.

The 260, 280, 300 and 330 wheeled skid steers and 260T, 300T, 320T track loaders are large platform machines with rated operating capacities (ROC) of 1180 kg and above. With the introduction of the new generation machines, JCB will be able to offer a complete range of wheeled and tracked machines, both radial and vertical lift, ranging from 590 kg to 1588 kg.

JCB stressed operator safety with its unique side-door entry. Having a single boom (composed of +20% more steel than JCB's two-armed competitors, according to John Patterson, CEO of JCB Inc. and the global company's deputy chairman) allows operators to enter and exit the machine clear of the loader arm and various attachments - making safety a priority. JCB also claims its design has +61% more visibility than competitive skid steers.

Each machine has seen parts reduced by -38%, -35% less grease points than competitors' models, manufacturing time dropped -35% and some US$ 3000 in annual fuel savings. JCB said this prices the machine at -5% less than its competition, but would not reveal specific numbers.