JCB Fastrac celebrates 25 years

UK-based heavy machinery brand JCB is celebrating 25 years of its Fastrac machine, which according to the company was the world’s first tractor with full suspension.

JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford came up with the idea of manufacturing an unconventional tractor while he was on holiday overseas in 1984.

He saw an opportunity to develop a tractor that had high road speed which would also be capable of field work, including heavy draft applications.

Some years later, his inspiration became a reality. In 1987, a first prototype was built in secret beneath the office block at JCB Transmissions in Wrexham, North Wales.

Over several years, JCB worked on the design of the Fastrac and asked farmers for feedback on its prototypes. The end result is a high-draft tractor with full suspension in both axles that offers excellent comfort and ride to the operator; and is also capable of heavy duty tasks such as ploughing and spreading on the field.

Finally, in 1990, the result of the AUD $20 million (£12M) Project P120 was unveiled to the media and public at the Royal Smithfield Show ahead of production in spring the following year.

Then British Agriculture Minister Baroness Trumpington cracked a bottle of champagne over the nose of the first Fastrac off the Cheadle assembly line as if launching a new ship, as factory staff and the men behind the inspired design – Sir Anthony (now Lord) Bamford; the late David Brown, Chief Engineer; Ray Clay, suspension engineer; and Mike Butler, JCB Landpower Managing Director watched on.

From there, the Fastrac went on to achieve a number of firsts in the industry. This includes being the first high-draft agricultural tractor with all round suspension capable of top speeds up to 75kph (47mph); and the first tractor to feature truck-standard disc brakes, multi-mode four-wheel steering, anti-lock braking system (ABS) and self-levelling suspension, according to JCB.

The company adds it was also the first – and remains the only – tractor to combine those features with an advanced, electronically-managed continuously variable transmission.

In conjunction with the milestone celebration, JCB Chairman Lord Bamford paid tribute to the engineers who turned the Fastrac from an idea into a working machine.

"The Fastrac is a remarkable example of JCB’s innovative engineering culture at its best. The concept of a tractor better equipped for road travel and transportation tasks but also very capable at undertaking demanding field work has proven its worth over the years, in terms of increased productivity and lower operating costs," he says.

"At the same time, the Fastrac has advanced the principle of giving operators the best possible comfort and working environment so they can be as productive as possible while looking after their health and well-being.

"There are many cases of farmers with back troubles, often brought on by driving conventional tractors, who have been able to continue with field work thanks to the supreme ride and comfort of the Fastrac. That in itself is something worth celebrating."

The Selectronic transmission with two-speed powershift was one of the first improvements to the Fastrac introduced two years after the 125 (120hp) and 145 Turbo (140hp) were launched in 1991.

It doubled the number of working speeds available and brought a pre-select system for easy range and shuttle shifting.

In the following years, the Fastrac continued to acquire more power with the addition of the 150hp Fastrac 155 in 1993 and the 170hp Fastrac 185.

In 1995, JCB took a turn in the other direction by releasing smaller, lighter tractors offering up to 135hp. JCB engineers then applied their expertise devising multi-mode four-wheel steering systems for Loadall telescopic handlers by producing the Quadtronic system for the smaller Fastrac 1115 and 1135.

This set-up trimmed the tractors’ turning circle by up to 25 per cent and JCB deemed it so successful that it remains a standard feature of today’s Fastrac 4000 Series tractors.

JCB entered new tractor market sectors with the 250hp Fastrac 8250 in 2005 – the company’s 60th anniversary year – and the 178hp to 270hp Fastrac 7000 Series in 2008.

The 8250 introduced CVT drive to the Fastrac range while the 7000 series heralded JCB’s own P-Tronic 24x9 speed semi-powershift transmission.

In 2011, the Fastrac 3210 was launched, taking the range beyond 300hp for the first time. It featured a new engine, electronic power modulating traction control and new control features for the V-Tronic stepless transmission.

At Agritechnica 2013, JCB previewed the current 4000 Series which the company says is its most advanced Fastrac yet.

The series offers three power outputs from 175hp to 235hp, a CVT transmission, self-levelling suspension front and rear, multi-mode four-wheel steering, sophisticated hydraulics and a mid-mounted cab offering great space and all-round visibility.

JCB Chief Engineering and Innovation Officer Tim Burnhope says the 4000 series has successfully attracted new users who haven’t operated a Fastrac before, in addition to long-term enthusiasts.

"With a specification in terms of cab design, engine performance and transmission control and flexibility that’s at least as good as other tractors of comparable power, plus the benefits of all-round suspension, steering and disc brakes, these first-time users recognise that they can now buy into the Fastrac’s established advantages without compromise."

The Fastrac can be modified to suit specialist applications, such as extending the chassis for spraying and lime/fertiliser spreading. In Australia, six-wheel versions of the Fastrac have been used as spreading vehicles.

Among other feats the Fastrac have achieved in its lifetime include a two-time appearance on BBC's Top Gear programme, a stint in the US Army, and helping the JCB Dieselmax streamliner car achieve the world diesel-powered land speed record in 2006.

JCB's 4000 series is currently available in Australia in the form of the 4220 which is the range's most powerful model offering a maximum 236hp.

For more information on the Fastrac range, visit jcbcea.com.au