JCB increases availability of knuckle boom backhoe

JCB has launched a variant to its 4CX Super backhoe loaders, the 4CN, which features a 30° knuckle in the backhoe arm. According to the company this extends the working arc of the digging end from 180° to 240°.

David Bell, Managing Director of JCB Sales, said, "Until now, the JCB 4CN was only offered in Scandinavia - to meet the specialist demands of the forestry industry - where the ability to excavate around trees and stumps has long been recognised as a major productivity benefit.

"The economic downturn in Europe has focused contractors' minds on finding new ways to improve the efficiency of their operations. We have recognised the opportunity to promote the benefits of the high specification JCB 4CN - which can reduce project completion times on a potentially wide range of jobs - to a wider market."

Other specifications of the 4CN include a 74 kW Turbo JCB Dieselmax engine, providing a travel speed of 40km/h. It is also available with JCB's TorqueLock system. The lock up torque converter system engages in top gears and ensures the machine maintains top speed for longer. This is particularly advantageous when travelling up hill. At full engine rpm it can reduce travelling time between job sites by 10% and improve fuel consumption by up to 13%.