Photo caption: The new JCB 8085 midi excavator is one of the few 8.5-tonne machines on the market with zero tail swing configuration.

JCB, the largest privately-owned manufacturer of construction equipment in the world, has upped the ante in the mini excavator market in Australia by expanding its range with three new models hitting our shores.

Ken Butler, National Excavator Manager with distributor, JCB Construction Equipment Australia, said a complete range of compact excavators from 1.8 tonnes through to 8.5t, with a variance in swing design including conventional, reduced and zero tail swing, as well as options of both canopy and cabin configurations, were now available in Australia.

JCB recently released the new JCB 8065 (6.5t) and JCB 8085 (8.5t) units into the Australian market and next month will release another new model, the JCB 8055 (5.5t) model.

“The release of these new models now provides clients with a one-stop-shop for mini/midi excavators for all types of applications, from tight access jobs to heavy duty construction and demolition work,’’ Ken said.

The JCB 8055 is a reduced swing unit with a minimum 55-millimetre rear tail swing, making it almost a zero swing configuration.

All JCB mini and midi excavators are built on a one piece steel chassis plate, ensuring maximum strength and a low centre of gravity for optimal stability.

The JCB 8055 incorporates JCB’s renowned side-mounted engine design, which makes servicing easy and simple. Service points are grouped together, which makes daily checks quick, easy and accessible.

The unit is fitted with an Isuzu 4-cylinder, 39 kilowatt diesel engine and, like all JCB mini excavators, the 8055 incorporates an inline cooling pack, ensuring uninterrupted operations even at temperatures up to 50 deg C.

Built in the UK at JCB’s Cheadle Mini Excavator manufacturing plant, these compact excavators are designed to incorporate the latest innovative technology.

“JCB designs all its construction equipment to provide excellent bucket and arm breakout performance,’’ Ken said.

“The heart of this performance, within the JCB 8055, comes from the Isuzu engine delivering impressive power that is transferred into efficient and effective digging and tracking.’’

The JCB 8055 is fitted with a load-sensing hydraulic system which combines a single variable piston pump with a large valving system that distributes hydraulic flow on demand to each function, ensuring smooth, precise high digging and impressive tear-out forces. Dipper tear-out is 32.8kN and bucket breakout is 42.2kN. The 8055 has exceptional auxiliary hydraulic flow of 140 litres per minute that will run any attachment with ease.

The JCB 8055 is suitable for all applications, with the combined dump height of 4.106 metres and dig depth of 3.8m.

The unit incorporates a heavy-duty kingpost with a swing boom dozer blade. It also is fitted standard with two-speed track motors with track speed (2.7–5.1km/h) auto kick down providing high torque spin-turn performance. An electronic throttle also is standard, with cabin units being fitted with factory air-conditioning.

“The JCB 8055 is a highly versatile machine designed to provide the best performance and reliability available. It is engineered to the highest possible quality to provide customers with a machine that will do more work in less time and at less cost,’’ Ken said.

For further information on the JCB mini excavator range, contact your nearest JCB dealer or phone 1300 JCB CEA.