JCB has launched its most powerful and heaviest ag-spec shovel to date, ousting its self-proclaimed king of the clamp, the 435S, from the apex of its wheeled loader range.

The new “S” derivative of the industrial-focused 457 is the firm’s new 20t farming flagship and, with payloads north of 6t, is likely to attract interest from sugar beet hauliers, big biogas plants and contractors shifting vast quantities of silage and muck.

As such, it has gone through a similar redesign to its “S” stablemates – the 419S and 435S. This includes a new rear chassis and counterweight, and changes to the transmission, axles and wheels.

See also: Driver’s view: Swinnerton Agricultural Contractors’ JCB 435S

Peak output from the 6.7-litre, six-cylinder Cummins engine is 282hp, which equates to 14hp/t in the power-to-weight stakes, and maximum torque is 1,200Nm.

There’s also an “economy” mode that strangles output to 224hp and an automatic function that shuts down the engine after an extended idle period, both of which are designed to save fuel.

JCB reckons typical diesel consumption on clamp work to be 14 litre/hour, putting it roughly on a par with the 435S.

The new rear chassis has allowed for a bigger 400-litre fuel tank and a reprofiled counterweight that improves the departure angle on the tail for clamp climbing.

There’s also the option of a 20t-rated Rockinger hitch and drawbar camera, plus twin-line hydraulic or air-ready trailer brakes.

More efficient

The driveline features a new six-speed manual/auto ZF powershift transmission with torque converter lock-up to provide more efficient mechanical drive. Top speed is either 40 or 48kph.

Running gear includes wide-track, heavy-duty 20-stud axles with limited-slip or auto locking differentials.

Typical footwear will be 710/75 R32 Trelleborg TM2000s or 800/65 R32 Michelin MegaXbib 2, both of which both keep machine width within 3m, but JCB also offers hard-surface L3 alternatives for machines destined to spend their life in a concrete yard.

High lift

The standard “high torque” arms have a 4.3m lift height but, as with the smaller models, buyers have the option of a “high lift” version that increases reach to 4.8m.

There’s also a new 4.88m-wide, 7.1cu m capacity folding buck rake that JCB says it has developed specifically for the new machine.

Going for the fancier Contractor Pro spec adds 360deg LED lights, cab carpet, a “super deluxe” half-leather seat, twin beacons and a showy stainless-steel exhaust stack.