A VISIT to a UK manufacturing icon was a real eye-opener for a small group of WA farmers recently.
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Nine growers toured JCB's impressive facilities at Staffordshire with JCB Construction Equipment Australia WA manager Renay van der Meulen and Staines Esperance dealer Simon Staines.
Renay said the growers visited JCB's enormous world headquarters and also toured through the company's engine, Fastrac tractor and wheeled loader manufacturing facilities, as well as its new excavator factory and renowned world parts centre.
Another highlight was a trip to JCB's estate, where the company tests its machines and also is involved in eco-farming.
The growers enjoyed a product development session with a number of the company's engineers focusing on future products including its three-metre wheel base designs to assist controlled traffic farming and new auto-steer guidance technology that is expected to be available with JCB machines arriving in Australia in 2011.
The group also looked over JCB's newest Fastrac tractor, the 3230 Xtra, which is suitable for spraying and fertiliser spreading operations, as well as for other utility work around the farm.
The 3230 Xtra retains JCB's renowned full suspension, ultimate braking and safety, high road speed, equal weight distribution, systems capability and well proportioned cab while incorporating a number of new features, including:
p P-TRONIC transmission with cruise control for automatic gear shifting.
p Xtra-Drive functionality for clutch-less driving.
p More torque for greater in-field and on-road performance.
p New transport power boost for increased power at speed.
p Variable flow hydraulics for faster flow rates and improved fuel efficiency.
p New Headland Turn Assist option for effortless control in the field.
p New cab layout for an enhanced operating environment.
The 3230 Xtra has a top road speed of 80km/h.
Beaumont farmer Darren Inkster said visiting the biggest privately-owned company in the UK and getting an insight into where its research and development was headed was certainly an eye-opener.
"You quickly recognise the scale of the operation when you see Loadall telehandlers coming off the production line every seven-and-a-half minutes and being assembled by hand,'' Darren said.
The Inksters have had a long history with JCB machines. Darren recalls having used five to six Fastrac tractors, from a 3185 through to today's flagship 8250 model.
The Inksters also have a 531-70 Loadall telehandler.
"We have properties that are 40 kilometres apart and so we wanted high speed when we wanted to move the boomsprayer,'' Darren said.
"The Fastracs have come a long way, right through to the 8250's V-TRONIC transmission.
"We also have had a very good relationship with our local dealer, Staines Esperance.''
He said discussions on the latest 8250 Series II and 7230 Fastrac tractors were highly productive and he hoped to upgrade to the latest 8250 machine soon.
"The tour was excellent for our relationship with JCB, through our dealer,'' Darren said.
The Inksters crop 2350 hectares to wheat, barley, canola, lupins and oats and also run about 2000 Dorper-cross ewes at their 3240ha 'Sparkle Hill' property.
Meanwhile, the group also enjoyed some "fun'' during the UK trip, including a spot of clay shooting, where they realised that one farmer had some handy skills for one of the country's favourite past-times.
