JCB has launched a new 1.7t 360 digger that will sit near the bottom of its huge list of excavators.

The 18Z-1 is light enough to be towed behind a 4×4 with a 3.5t towing capacity and is small enough –  at just 980mm wide – to negotiate the tightest of farm buildings, helped by a zero tail-swing.

There’s a 15.6hp diesel engine under the seat and the front-end pins have graphite-impregnated bushes, which means greasing is only needed every 500 hours.

See also: JCB spends £6m on new telehandler cab

The new machine has a 32-litre/min piston hydraulic pump and a choice of 950mm or 1,100mm dippers to reach digging depths of 2.4m and 2.5m, respectively.

Buyers can choose between a steel-framed cab or fully enclosed unit. The regular twin joystick control will be familiar to all 360 excavator operators.