JCB launches Loadall boom automation with weighing
JCB has launched new IntelliAssist, an optional suite of automated boom and attachment functions, and other user assistance features, that simplify and reduce the operator workload on all Loadall Series III agricultural telescopic handlers.
The new automated functions include:
- Boom height and boom reach limits
- Auto boom extensions and retraction
- Attachment angle memory
- Return to high (Load) and return to low (Dig) positions
The package also includes new ways to regulate oil flow to the boom end third service and to the boom and attachment carriage hydraulic cylinders.
"IntelliAssist is another example of JCB’s innovative approach to materials handling solutions, which keeps Loadall at the forefront of telehandler development ... complementing the Loadall’s comprehensive Smart Hydraulics features to give experienced and novice telehandler operators alike the tools and confidence to work efficiently and to consistently achieve maximum productivity.”
John Smith| JCB Agriculture Managing Director
The new features are available on all JCB Loadall Series III telescopic handlers, including the new 4.6 tonne/7.0 metre 546-70 and 5.5 tonne/7.0 metre 555-70, which join the current line-up of 532-60, 538-60, 532-70, 538-70, 542-70, 536-95, 542-100 and 560-80 agricultural machines.
Lift and reach limits
Limiting boom movement when working inside buildings allows operators to work more confidently and to concentrate on the main purpose of the job – for example, when carrying and placing bales into an indoor stack or retrieving them for use.
The boom function that limits the lift height helps avoid inadvertent damage to a shed roof and is especially useful during repeat operations, such as stacking and retrieving bales stored indoors or clearing an over-winter build-up of muck in a low-roofed cattle shed.
Likewise, the forward reach limiter for the telescopic section of the boom is a useful function when loading a bale trailer or especially when placing pallet loads on to a curtainsider truck.
Both are set simply by positioning the boom at the required limit and pressing the relevant function button.
‘Return to’ functions
For repetitive re-handling and loading tasks, the Return to Dig, Return to Load and Return to Carriage Angle Position functions save operators from having to multi-task when returning the boom and any attachment to their previous positions, allowing them to focus on the task in hand.
All ‘return to’ functions are set by a press and hold on the designated switch and are activated by a sharp throw of the Loadall’s servo joystick.
Simultaneous lift/lower and telescope
Another handy workload and time-saver is the ability to simultaneously lift and extend the boom with just one control input, and to lower and retract simultaneously.
It can be useful when filling a tall-sided trailer or diet feeder, or placing bales into a stack, and the attachment’s vertical path when raising and extending the boom or lowering and retracting it can be especially useful when space is limited in front of a stack or silage clamp face.
Hydraulic flow control
Included with the operator assistance functions are two new hydraulic flow control features; Hydraulic Speed Adjustment, which enables the oil flow to the boom lift/lower and attachment dump/crowd cylinders to be reduced while maintaining full flow delivery to the boom nose auxiliaries.
This results in a softer response to control inputs when appropriate, without limiting oil supply to any hydraulic drive motors – such as on a bale shredder, auger bucket or powered sweeper.
The Inverse Front Auxiliary function simply reverses the flow to and from the third service, which saves the operator from having to swap hose connections if they are the wrong way around for a particular attachment, such as a fork grab, push-off buckrake or hydraulic motor – or because of an operator’s roller switch control movement preference.
Integrated load weighing
The new IntelliWeigh system is fully integrated with IntelliAssist and the Loadall’s information display to help farmers use feed and other farm inputs accurately, load diet feeders efficiently, and keep trailers and trucks within load limits for road travel.
And being integrated with JCB LiveLink telematics machine data recording, the system can contribute to effective farm record-keeping and enable farmers to analyse the efficiency of loading and re-handling operations.
Rather than using load cells, the JCB IntelliWeigh system draws on hydraulic oil pressure and boom position to accurately calculate load weights with a bucket, silage fork, bale handling spike or grab, pallet forks, jib and hook or any other lifting or loading equipment.
Up to five calibration settings can be named and stored in the digital control unit, with the weight of each load and the number of loads per session recorded to provide an accumulated tonnage.
Static and dynamic on-the-move weighing can be handled and there is a pause function if the loading cycle has to be interrupted to carry out a different task.
Operators can set a count-down target weight to ensure, for example, precise loading of several animal feed ration ingredients or to prevent over-loading of road trucks and trailers.
Integration with JCB’s LiveLink cloud-based machine monitoring and data recording system enables users to view loading session reports online and to export them to an Excel spreadsheet for analysis and farm records.
Figures include bulk weights, bucket count and number of loads, plus loading efficiency expressed in litres of fuel per tonne and per load, and productivity as tonnes and loads per hour.
These data add to the information already provided by JCB LiveLink, which includes working and idling hours, fuel consumption, total fuel used, and so on.
The system is a factory-installed option on new Loadall handlers, so there are no installation compromises nor post-delivery downtime.