JCB expands new Texas factory plans in response to April tariff hike
Since Donald Trump’s import tariff announcement, the world has been on a wild economic ride.
The term 'pocket rocket' might instantly bring to mind the Aussie songstress Kylie Minogue.
But wait... more productive and needing much less maintenance – though deserving the same nickname– is the JCB 516-40 telehandler.
It's compact – only 1.56m wide and 1.8m tall – but big of heart, lifting 1.6 tonnes to 4m and 1000kg at 2m forward reach. Especially this will suit poultry farms and growing and farming applications where access is limited and massive lift capacities are not required.
It has a one-piece fully welded chassis for durability and reliability; this and other key components such as the boom and cabin are dipped in an electrophoretic alloy solution for superior protection against corrosion, then are powder coated for chip resistance and long life.
Motive power is delivered by a 2.2L Tier 3 emission-spec Kohler engine developing 47hp at 800rpm and 130Nm torque at 1600rpm.
A two-stage hydrostatic transmission allows a maximum speed of 26km/h; its transmission dump system on the brake pedal allows multi-functioning during loading and rehandling without sapping engine power.
The main boom is heavy duty: a minimum of 0.5m overlap between sections and hydraulic pipework routed through the boom section for protection and superior load visibility.
Control is by single lever joystick for all functions, including forward and reverse, as well as flow rates for the auxiliary circuit, which has a maximum output of 56L/min. An adaptive load control system also prevents overloading, and check valves ensure all main hydraulic cylinders are locked out in the event of catastrophic hose failure.
The cabin is mounted low and access is easy through a 'stable door' leading to an air suspended seat in an area 0.9m wide. The upper door can be pinned back for ventilation or the machine can be specified with air conditioning.
Ergonomically laid out controls make for easy working during long hours, and the back-lit instruments are good for late nights or early winter mornings.
A large forward windscreen and side windows, and an oversize roof screen, promote visibility during loading, and the cabin is fully certified for ROPS and FOPS, protecting the operator at all times; bystanders are protected by a reversing alarm
In maintenance, the 500-hour service interval for engine oils and boom wear pads is double that of competitors, the maker says, all daily checks and grease points can be accessed from ground level, and radiator cleaning is by an optional hydraulically driven reversible cooling fan.
A wide range of options can be specified, including road and work lights, front screen guards and sun blinds, safety beacons, battery isolation and fire extinguisher.
According to the most recent Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey, farmer confidence has inched higher, reaching its second highest reading in the last decade.
From 1 October, new livestock movement restrictions will be introduced in parts of Central Otago dealing with infected possums spreading bovine TB to livestock.
Phoebe Scherer, a technical manager from the Bay of Plenty, has won the 2025 Young Grower of the Year national title.
The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.
Award-winning boutique cheese company, Cranky Goat Ltd has gone into voluntary liquidation.
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.
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