JCB telehandler does all the convincing

That’s when he bought a JCB 541.70 Super Agri from Bunbury Machinery and now he declares he wouldn’t farm without one.

“I had always thought they sat too low and didn’t give you enough visibility and I reckon that came from sitting high in our tractor,” he said.

“But we’ve clocked up 500 hours since I bought it and it’s almost endless the things you can do with them.

“They’re very manoeuvrable in tight places, they’ve got good reach and speed and we use it for feeding, stacking, unloading trucks and using it as push-tractor.

“With the bucket attachment, we can also remove solids very quickly without too much hassle.

“It’s a 12-month-a-year workhorse in the dairy.”

The JCB 541.70 is a popular telehandler in WA because of its reliability over a range of tasks, its stability, hydraulics, fuel efficiency and reach.

Lifting height of the 541.70 is seven metres (23ft) with a maximum lift capacity of four tonnes.

Lift capacity at full height is 2.5t and at full reach 1.5t.

It’s equipped with a JCB EcoMax T4i/Stage IIIB engine, which develops 103kW (145hp), which is plenty of muscle for tough jobs without over-stressing the engine and transmission.

JCB also says this engine provides fuel savings of up to 15 per cent.

The company says it also provides a smoother ride from enhanced transmission and hydraulics configurations.

A new level of efficiency is achieved partially from the T4i engine, but also from an improved regenerative hydraulics system that reduces the boom retraction and lowering time as well as fuel consumption.

The gear selector is now on the joystick and the Smooth Ride System is also easier to use as it can be engaged with the boom in any position, automatically engaging when travelling above 7km/h.

Hydraulic damping is now standard on the boom extension and lift functions and assists with load retention while also improving operator comfort.

And a seven-speed fan on the air-conditioner makes for comfy work on hot days.

JCB also offers a 2000 hour/two year full warranty.

And the height issue?

“It’s not an issue,” he said.

“Everything works well, there’s good visibility and I don’t think about it.”