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2015’s version – The JCB 541-70.
Thirty nine years is a long time since JCB launched the first Loadall telehandler in 1977.
JCB has since gone on to build 100,000 units by 2006 and recently clocking up 200,000 machines.
Now the name is generic to this type of machine, invaluable on construction sites and farms worldwide.
In 1977 the first JCB 520 (the Loadall name wasn't used until 1982) had two wheel drive and a telescopic boom that lifted 2.25 tonnes to 6.4m height. It offered more reach and capacity than the traditional rough terrain handler of the day and typically featured vertical mast design.
In agriculture the machine revolutionised productivity by stacking bales, loading muck and shovelling grain, amongst many other tasks, with performance that showed up traditional tractor/loader combinations as lacking.
In that first year only 300 machines were produced by a handful of people, whereas today many thousands are produced annually by 800 staff.
Today, the Loadall comes in 90 models – 88 built at the world headquarters in the UK for global markets and two built in India for domestic supply. That range now includes models that can lift to 20m and weights up to 6 tonnes.
A 4WD model came out in 1981.
Repositioning the engine to side-mounting resulted in the boom being lowered and better visibility. It also includes improvements to the drivelines with a torque lock system that improved climbing ability and increased road speeds.
The introduction of the patented Smooth Ride System offered boom suspension for better load retention over rough ground and increased operator comfort.
And for the future? As you would expect, JCB won't be sleeping on its laurels. Models denoted Dualtech VT will combine in one machine the traditional powershift transmission with a hydrostatic drive, giving better control in certain conditions and potential for greater productivity.
There can't be many people who on seeing the distinctive bright yellow and red colour scheme, don’t think ‘JCB’. Indeed, JCB has largely become the generic name for all brands of excavators, not unlike the term Fridge or Hoover.
Innovation awards at international agricultural events are always on the wishlist of manufacturers.
JCB has released details of its new Fastrac 6000 Series, filling the gap between the current 4000 Series (160- 240 horsepower) and the 8000 Series (330+ horsepower).
Claas has announced the arrival of its new Jaguar 1000 series forage harvesters, taking power delivery beyond 1100hp, aimed at achieving 20% more throughput, better chop quality, greater efficiency and more operator comfort.
With the biennial Agritechnica Event just a few months away, manufacturers are offering sneak peaks at new innovations, with Claas recently highlighting its new Cerex 700 RC round baler.
Metallica's charitable foundation, All Within My Hands (AWMH), teamed up with Meet the Need this week for a food packing event held at the New Zealand Food Network warehouse in Auckland.
After two years, Alliance Group has returned to profit.
According to Zespri's November forecast for the 2025/26 season, returns are likely to be up for all fruit groups compared to the last forecast in August.
Next month, wool training will reach one of New Zealand's most remote communities, the Chatham Islands - bringing hands-on skills and industry connection to locals eager to step into the wool harvesting sector.
Farmers' health and wellbeing will take centre stage with a new hub at the 2026 East Coast Farming Expo.
Dannevirke farmer Dan Billing has been announced as the new national chair of Beef + Lamb New Zealand's (B+LNZ) Farmer Council.
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