JCB's new iCON technology for Fastrac tractors is headed to Australia
JCB has launched new Fastrac 4000 and 8000 Series tractors with an all-new electronics infrastructure that delivers higher levels of performance and convenience while giving operators unprecedented choice in the way they operate their machine.
The 175hp to 348hp (133kW to 260kW) Fastrac tractors feature the new iCON armrest console and touch-screen display that provides outstanding flexibility in control allocation and operator information and a new transmission control strategy to deliver ultimate operator comfort and powertrain efficiency.
The new Fastrac tractors will be on display for Australian customers at field days during August.
The tractors are also available with fully-integrated ISOBUS, precise JCB GPS guidance and implement control applications that minimise the need for additional displays.
“We had three major objectives with this important project for the JCB Fastrac: to create a bespoke operator experience; integrate electronics technology such as ISOBUS and GPS guidance; and redefine the already high level of operator control and driving comfort that the Fastrac offers,” JCB Agriculture managing director John Smith says.
“At the same time, we wanted to maintain a familiarity in terms of the controls and information displays to ensure existing users can quickly adapt to the new system.
“Feedback from our extensive development and testing work with evaluation customers shows we have achieved all of these objectives, making the Fastrac an even more attractive proposition in terms of performance, productivity and operator appeal.”
At the heart of the new Fastrac iCON models is a new electronics infrastructure that enables a host of modern technology features to be fully integrated as standard or optional equipment.
The most obvious example of this development is the new iCON seat-mounted armrest console and a 30cm colour touch-screen display that can be positioned ahead of the controls for easy viewing or moved to one side to maximise visibility through the Fastrac’s large windscreen.
The console houses a new main joystick, assignable RGB LED colour-coded levers giving proportional control of electrically-operated spool valves, PTO and hitch controls, an auxiliary joystick and hard keys plus an encoder dial for a tactile alternative to using the touch screen.
Hydraulic functions can be allocated freely to the five main joystick buttons and also to a four-way auxiliary joystick with its four buttons and rocker switch, with LED colour backlights identifying which spool valve is allocated to which control.