Friday, 27 May 2022 12:55

The 1,2,3 of JCB's new control and interface system

Written by  Mark Daniel
JCB is offering “allnew electronics infrastructure” on its latest Fastrac 4000 and 8000 models. JCB is offering “allnew electronics infrastructure” on its latest Fastrac 4000 and 8000 models.

Fastrac fans will be breathing a sigh of relief knowing JCB has launched what it describes as an “all-new electronics infrastructure” offering on its latest Fastrac 4000 and 8000 models.

Taking four years to develop, the key to the revised infrastructure has been to separate tractor operation into three key areas. Each section is controlled individually through a common screen, by the new iCon system.

The first area addressed is individual operators’ interaction with the controls, allowing full customisation of the various functions possible. The most obvious sign of the upgrade is the seat-mounted iCon armrest console and a 12-inch colour touch-screen display. The position of the new screen may be altered to allow for easy viewing or moved to one side to offer maximum visibility through the tractor windscreen.

Selectable colour-coded levers give proportional control of electrically-operated spool valves, power take-off (PTO) and hitch controls. Meanwhile, an auxiliary joystick and hard keys – complemented by an encoder dial – remain as a tactile alternative to using the touch-screen interface. Control setup allows you to seamlessly switch between stick, pedal or cruise driving modes simply by touching either control. 

The second key area of operation centres around precision agriculture technology. The control and monitoring of tractor operations is via the ISOBUS as the communication protocol. This optimises the operation of the latest Fastrac 4000 and 8000 series tractors that are precision farming ready.

A factory installed, integrated GPS guidance system will be available, consisting of a Novatel Smart-7 receiver, a steering controller and JCB user interface, with Section Control and Variable Rate Control available as unlock options. If the customer is already using aftermarket guidance and precision farming, the GPS Ready option allows the Fastrac to quickly embed itself within that.

The third area of optimisation is specific to the machines, with updated driveline software that allows operators to set the appropriate forward speed. This leaves the tractor to balance engine revs and gear ratio to achieve the desired speed at the most economical level.

The new JCB Pro format simplifies the selection of ground speed, by pushing forward or pulling back on the joystick to effect a change, while moving to the left or right controls the forward/reverse shuttle direction. 

Away from the new control setup, both the 4000 and 8000 series Fastrac tractors remain largely unchanged, albeit with some subtle repositioning to grab handles and better situated internal door latches.

More like this

LDV unveils all-new Terron 9 Elite ute

As if there wasn’t enough choice in the New Zealand ute market, LDV New Zealand is expanding its offering, by showcasing the all-new Terron 9 Elite at Fieldays.

John Deere acquires Sentera to boost smart farming capabilities

While tractors combines and machinery for agriculture and construction is still its key business, John Deere appears to be taking opportunities in the hightech sector via acquisition, with the recent purchase of Sentera, a Minnesota-based company that specialises in equipment for capturing and interpreting aerial images.

Fendt 600 Vario Series arrives in NZ

Released in New Zealand earlier in the year, the new Fendt 600 Vario series, serving the 150-200hp category, is a compact and manoeuvrable 4-cylinder tractor with high performance and payload, at a low power-to-weight ratio.

Featured

Big return on a small investment

Managing director of Woolover Ltd, David Brown, has put a lot of effort into verifying what seems intuitive, that keeping newborn stock's core temperature stable pays dividends by helping them realise their full genetic potential.

Editorial: Sensible move

OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Overbearing?

OPINION: Dust ups between rural media and PR types aren't unheard of but also aren't common, given part of the…

Foot-in-mouth

OPINION: The Hound hears from his canine pals in Southland that an individual's derogatory remarks on social media have left…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter