Two upgraded telescopic handlers being shown by JCB Agriculture (Stand B7) emphasise the span of performance levels and applications covered by its handler range.

The 516-40 Agri is the smallest JCB telescopic handler with 1.6t lift capacity and 4m lift height, while the Loadall 560-80 Agri Plus caters for large farms and commercial bulk storage enterprises with 6t payload and 8m lift height.

The smaller machine retains the offset single-spine chassis and hydraulic wheel motor propulsion of its predecessor, which makes it only 1.56m wide and 1.8m high. But in addition to 100kg more lift capacity, the newcomer is claimed to have better performance and usability thanks to improved hydrostatic drive and hydraulic services, and a new engine – a 2.2-litre JCB Diesel by Kohler – developing 51hp.

See also: JCB Loadall 541-70 driven

Z-bar linkage on the boom end of the 560-80 Agri Plus converts hydraulic power into high break-out force for fast bucket filling while providing a steep dump angle for rapid load discharge, says JCB Agriculture.

Increased lift capacity over the 550-80 is matched by the 145hp output of the handler’s JCB Ecomax T4i engine and a new 5cu m bucket from JCB’s revamped AGRI attachments range, which will also feature at Lamma.

New design and manufacturing technologies, as well as new materials, are being introduced to improve current attachments with increased load ratings and greater durability, and new sizes of buckets, grabs, forks and shovels are being introduced through 2015.