JCB has unveiled its largest capacity telehandler, the 550-80 Agri, which will soon sit at the top of the Loadall range.

Boasting a five-tonne lift capacity and an 8.1m lift height from its two-stage boom, this version has been spun out of a dedicated WasteMaster model engineered for heavy-duty recycling and waste applications.

The 550-80 Agri is scheduled to go into production later this year and has been developed in direct response to customer demand for a machine with even greater lift performance at reach.

Tipping the scales with a nine tonne operating weight, this flagship machine also gets a Z-bar bucket linkage instead of the usual telehandler headstock.

As a result, this helps deliver an impressive 6.5 tonne breakout force, an increase of around 50 per cent when compared to the company’s previous range-topper, the 541-70 Agri.
Serious match

With such an industrial front-end, we suspect the 550-80 Agri will be a serious match for some wheeled loaders.

Specifically designed for bulk handling operations in heavy duty applications, the 550-80 gets a four-cylinder, side-mounted turbocharged DieselMax engine, but in two ratings - either 130hp as standard, or an optional 145hp rating.

The side-mounted engine affords a low rear boom pivot, which contributes to all-round visibility.

In Agri guise, the 550-80 gets a four-speed powershift transmission with torque converter, unlike its smaller Agri Super counterparts that get the firm’s six-speed powershift transmission with Torque Lock in fifth and sixth gears and 40kph road speed with three working modes - Eco, Power and Field.

Keeping with the muscular theme, heavy-duty axles with power brakes are now fitted - the latter is a principle borrowed from the 3CX Eco backhoe loader, and is one that allows full brake release to eliminate drag and contribute to reduced fuel consumption.
Cycle times

In terms of hydraulic performance, the 550-80 Agri delivers 145 litres/min of variable flow, along with high-flow pipe work to help keep cycle times short and auxiliary service at its best, for those using powered attachments on the Q-fit carriage.

With console-mounted servo controls as standard and the option of seat mounted servo controls, the operator can take advantage of low lever effort and sensible ergonomics. In addition, the Smooth Ride System is available, along with roof-mounted air conditioning and a trailer tow hitch.

http://www.farmersguardian.com/home/machinery/machinery-news/jcb-range-of-loaders-beefed-up-by-powerful-550-80-agri/40482.article