06.04.2016

200,000th JCB telehandler

JCB has built its 200,000th telehandler, having launched its first unit - a 520 - in October 1977.

That first two wheel drive unit boasted a 6.4 metre lift height and a maximum capacity of 2.25 tonnes. In the first year around 300 units were built by a handful of people. In the almost 40 years since the range has grown to over 80 models, with the largest unit now a 20 metre model, while capacities on some units are up to six tonnes.
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The first JCB telehandler - the 520 - was built in 1977

In 1980 a second larger model, the 525, was introduced, followed by a lighter second generation 520-2 and 520-4 in 1981, the latter introducing four wheel drive and larger rear wheels. These models were also the first to feature JCB’s Q-fit implement carriage, which allowed the use of a range of buckets and attachments, in addition to the regular forks.
Synchro-Shuttle transmissions and servo controls levers were added in 1986, making the machines more suitable to repetitive handling and loading operations.
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By 1984 when the 530-4 was launched all models were four wheel drive

The entire JCB telehandler range was overhauled in 1989, with mid-mounted engines, lower boom mounting and multi-mode four wheel steering, with equal-sized wheels all round. The next big move came in 1997 with the shift towards side mounted engines, allowing an even lower boom mount and better visibility, not to mention improved access for service.

In 2006 the company built its 100,000th telehandler and invested £8 million in a second assembly line at its Rocester headquarters facility in the UK. A year later the 536-70, 535-140 HiViz and 535-125 HiViz models were unveiled. Then in 2008 it launched a completely new side-engine, high-boom design for the North American market, with hydrostatic drive trains starting to gain ground the following year.
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The compact 525-60

More recently further development has gone in to the engines powering the telehandlers, with cleaner more fuel efficient EcoMAX engines, using only cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and a variable geometry turbo to meet Euro Stage IIIB / US Tier 4 Interim emissions standards.
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The top of the line 540-200

In 2012 JCB launched the heavy duty 550-80, an eight metre/five tonne capacity machine, followed in 2014 by the six tonne 560-80 and its highest machine, the 20 metre 540-200. More recently the company launched the compact 525-60 HiViz with a hydrostatic transmission, full sized cab in a machine just 1.8 metres high and 1.8 metres wide.
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Celebrating the 200,000th JCB telehandler (L-R) Ian Pratt, Ian Vickery, Cliff Ferrie, Mick Smith, Dave Bailey, Nick Miller, Paul Stockley, Richard Jenkinson and Paul Grys