New JCB Loadall unveiled for poultry unit operators

A special version of the new JCB Loadall 527-58 Agri Plus compact telescopic handler is launched to work in and around poultry sheds. It is specially equipped to suit the working environment inside poultry units while exploiting the improved features of the standard machine to tackle cleaning, crate handling and other operations with optimum efficiency.

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The Loadall 527-58 Agri Plus PoultryMaster features and options:

• Compact two metre high, 2.04 metre wide dimensions

• JCB EcoMAX 4.4-litre engine developing 81kW (109hp)

• Varispeed hydrostatic transmission with independent ground-speed control and inching functionality

• Long pallet forks and industrial side-shift carriage for handling poultry crates

• Blue LED work lights, including boom-mounted lamps

• Clean air kit provides additional pre-filtration for the air conditioning and heating system

• Heated mirrors

JCB Agriculture General Manager John Smith said: “Alongside the low profile version of the 536-70 introduced last year, the PoultryMaster package illustrates our willingness to look at special equipment packages to suit our Loadall handlers to particular applications.”

The 527-58 Agri Plus is ideal for the poultry industry because at just 2.04 metres wide over the tyres and two metres to the top of its spacious cab it can enter confined buildings with ease and put its 2700kg lift capacity and 5.8 metre lift height to productive use both indoors and outside.

The PoultryMaster package that fine-tunes its abilities comprises additional options such as longer than usual side-shifting pallet forks mounted to an industrial carriage for secure handling of poultry crates. Also available are blue LED cab and boom work lights to reduce the disturbance to poultry when working in close proximity. A clean air kit provides additional pre-filtering for air drawn into the cab to keep it dust free and odourless as well as improving air conditioning performance when working in poultry buildings. Heated mirrors ensure operators can work safely and efficiently in harsh weather conditions.

The 527-58 Agri Plus is the most powerful of JCB’s compact Loadall handlers, being powered by an 81kW (109hp) version of the award-winning JCB EcoMAX 4.4-litre engine. Drive to all four wheels is via a two-speed hydrostatic transmission, which has been refined for improved driveability, specifically for poultry applications. This driveline delivers a substantial tractive performance of just under six tonnes.

The Varispeed feature is standard; it allows the operator to set engine revs and ground speed separately. A slow forward speed can be set – for dispensing wood shavings, for example – while keeping the revs up to ensure sufficient flow from the auxiliary hydraulics to power a hydraulic motor.

New refinements for the boom hydraulics include end-of-stroke damping for the telescopic retraction cylinder and sharper, more positive responses from the single lever servo joystick in proportion to control inputs.

The 527-58 Agri Plus – including the PoultryMaster edition – also has JCB’s unique Bucket Control System, which saves the operator having to make repeated joystick movements to dislodge sticky materials from a bucket or fork.

A further new development that improves the operating experience is a pressure release valve for the auxiliary hydraulics. Operated by a button inside the cab, it saves time during a busy work schedule by making it possible – when safe – to change attachments with the engine running.