Updates and EU type approval see Fastrac speeding ahead

JCB’s two top selling tractors have been given the all clear to go full speed ahead in Europe after they became the first tractors to comply with new regulations governing on-highway use of agricultural vehicles.

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The Fastrac 4000 and 8000 have top speeds of 60kph and 65kph respectively but have had to be sold into certain markets with restrictions which reduced this by as much as 25kph.

Now they have become the first tractors to comply with new pan-European T1b Type-Approval regulations for agricultural vehicles capable of more than 40kph. This means they can be supplied to end-users throughout the European Union without the top speed restrictions that previously applied in some markets. Operators can now use their high-speed capabilities to the full on private roads, as well as on public roads where national regulations permit.

JCB Agriculture General Manager John Smith said: “This is a significant development for operators on large farms and estates where tractors often travel significant distances on private internal roads that are not subject to the speed limits of public roads.

“Operators in this situation can now exploit the exceptional speed-with-safety capabilities of these two Fastracs for travelling with implements, farm inputs such as fertilisers and sprays, and harvested crops between field and store.”

The changes are part of a package of upgrades for worldwide applications comprising:

• A new choice of road driving strategies for the stepless transmission

• Optional LED main and auxiliary road lights for maximum night-driving visibility

• Optional factory fit GPS and ISOBUS solutions

• Optional floor carpet and high-back air suspension seat in the Command Plus cab

• New tyre options and axle track settings to adapt to different crops

• Rear deck tray to securely carry sundry items

John Smith added: “The Fastrac 4000 and new 8000 have been very well received by experienced Fastrac users and by farmers and contractors operating a Fastrac for the first time. They appreciate the productivity gains that come from the Fastrac’s unique capabilities in the field and on the road, and particularly the ride comfort and ability to ‘press on’ with field work in conditions that cause operators of less comfortable tractors to slow down.

“Collectively, the upgrades introduced on Fastrac 4000 and 8000 tractors this year bring refinements and features that operators have asked for and which we are pleased to deliver as part of our philosophy of on-going product development to further improve the Fastrac experience.”

The three Fastrac 4000 Series tractors from 130-175kW (175-235hp) have a top speed of 60kph while the new 228-260kW (306-348hp) Fastrac 8000 tractors can reach 65kph . Both are equipped with suspension on both axles, dual circuit four-wheel braking with large external discs, and anti-lock control to maintain the highest possible level of braking performance and steering control on all surfaces.

These features ensure the Fastrac 4000 and 8000 tractors complete journeys more quickly, fit more journeys into the working day when hauling produce at harvest and raise overall productivity by performing fast in the field as well as on the road.

For road travel, the Fastrac’s stepless transmission now gives operators a choice of three settings in the Drive mode. The current engine/transmission strategy is joined by one that exploits increased engine revs for faster acceleration with heavy loads and pulling uphill and one that trims engine revs more than the current setting for increased economy and a quieter ride.

Operators can quickly select the new Drive mode settings using the touch screen display through which a host of tractor features are set and adjusted. New GPS and ISOBUS options are available via an optional Trimble TMX-2050 display, including the integrated auto steering option that provides accuracy levels from dGPS to RTK definition for a wide range of cultivating, sowing and other applications.

Following the unprecedented demand for the optional LED worklights, another new option on Fastrac 4000 and 8000 tractors is LED road lighting option  incorporating LED standard level and high level driving lights that illuminate the road ahead with a significantly brighter, whiter light than the standard halogen offering.

A high-back air suspension seat that provides added driver protection in the event of being hit from behind is a particular benefit for operators carrying out a lot of roadside mowing and maintenance work; and there is the luxury option of a fitted carpet on the floor of the class-leading Command Plus cab.

A moulded tray for the generous deck area behind the cab is a more practical new option, being deep enough to securely transport sundry items such as toolboxes, towing chains, fuel cans, lubricants and load-securing ratchet straps without impeding visibility beyond the rear of the tractor.

New tyre options comprise a 600/70 R34 and 710/70 R38 combination from Trelleborg or BKT for the Fastrac 8000 and a 540/60 R30 Nokian winter tyre for Fastrac 4000 Series tractors. New 600/70 R30 and 710/60 R30 options from Trelleborg and BKT are also introduced for the Fastrac 4000 on wheels with an offset that provide a 2m track width setting to meet specific customer requests.