JCB has overhauled its popular 435S loading shovel, boosting power by 12% to 282hp and tweaking the torque curve so that its peak 1,200Nm is available across a wider rev range.

No extra bulk has had to be added, so the tune-up has given it an enviable power-to-weight ratio of 19hp/t – up 2hp/t on its predecessor.

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

A 6.7-litre Cummins remains JCB’s engine of choice, and it has two settings to tailor output to the job at hand.

In the default setting, just 230hp and 840Nm is served up to help reduce fuel consumption when carrying out lighter loading duties.

While selecting “dynamic mode” unleashes the full beans for clamp work and shifting muck.

Uprated transmission

To make the most of the extra oomph, engineers have fitted a stiffer torque converter from the 457S, which significantly improves climbing ability on the clamp.

Torque lock is available in all gears, with five and six engaging automatically on the road to improve performance and efficiency.

Operators can adjust the settings and even have different setups for driving in forward and reverse.

In addition, a so-called “open” mode delivers 25% more torque to the wheels, resulting in greater tractive effort for silage clamp work.

Also borrowed from the 457 models are heavier duty axles which, thanks to having four rather than three epicyclic gears, can handle up to 35% more torque.

Controls have been tweaked too, with an optional “lever steer” system that allows direction changes to be controlled via a stubby joystick on the left seat armrest rather than the steering wheel.

This is designed to reduce fatigue for repetitive tasks such as loading grain or shifting bales or muck out in the field.

Optional extras include a factory-fitted load weigher, complete with printer, which has a countdown function to prevent trailers or mixer wagons being overloaded.

Finishing touches include LED rear light clusters and a new reinforced fibreglass honeycomb grille.

On-farm price for a well-specced example is roughly £190,000.