They have upgraded axles and new tyre options for increased traction in the field.
The package of detailed upgrades, which also includes a locking front differential, and a new factory-fitted precision guidance option, coincides with the introduction of Stage V emissions-compliant engines for the European market and measures that further reduce total cost of ownership. The tractors have been designed to have a combination of speed, comfort, road safety, field traction and four-wheel steer manoeuvrability, all of which contribute to increased productivity. The main three news features are as follows:
- Axles: New heavier-duty JCB axles with larger external disc brakes and increased steering force. A larger front axle differential with hydraulic locking to enhance four-wheel drive traction. A 33% increase in front axle load capacity permits larger implements on the front linkage. New ultra-flexible ‘VF’ agricultural tyre options provide greater traction and flotation. New lower-cost block tread pattern utility tyre options for hard surface applications. A fifth-wheel rear deck option for operating trailed equipment with a swan-neck drawbar.
- Engines: In Europe, the tractors will have a new version of the current 6.6-litre, six-cylinder engine that has a diesel particulate filter (DPF) in addition to selective catalytic reduction (SCR) to further reduce potentially harmful air pollutants. In other markets, such as the United States and Canada, Australia and New Zealand, Russia, the CIS states and Africa, the tractors will continue to be supplied with engines conforming to European Stage IV / US Tier 4 Final emissions rules. In both cases, engine performance remains unchanged, with rated-speed outputs of 119kW (160hp) for the Fastrac 4160, 141kW (189hp) for the 4190 and 162kW (217hp) for the best-selling 4220. Engine service intervals for oil and filters are extended from 500 hours to 600 hours. A new Auto-Stop feature eliminates unnecessary fuel use by shutting down the engine after a period at idling speed – a feature that can be disengaged in situations when this is inappropriate.
- New tyre options: The tractors have a 50:50 unladen weight distribution, and also active suspension systems front and rear that help maintain a consistent ride height and operating weight distribution when one or more implements is attached. This results in higher levels of tractive effort being generated than the diameter of their equal-size wheels might suggest – and that performance can now be further improved with the introduction of ‘VF’ category, high-speed rated field traction tyres. These advanced tyres can operate at a lower inflation pressure for a given load, resulting in a larger footprint that delivers increased traction and less compaction of the soil. Conversely, these characteristics can be used to carry a heavier load than lesser tyres of the same size without resorting to higher tyre inflation pressures. The tractor has a 60kph (37 mph) legal top road speed. Available in addition to the ‘IF’ category tyres currently available, the new ‘VF’ options are the Mitas HC2000 in VF 540/65 R30, VF 540/65 R34 and VF 600/70 R30 sizes; the Trelleborg TM1000 High Power VF 600/70 R30; and Michelin’s Axiobib 2 in VF 540/65 R30 and VF 600/70 R30 sizes. For Fastrac 4000 Series tractors that undertake a lot of road or hard surface work, two new block tread tyre options are available: the BKT 540/65 R30 Ridemax IT-697 TL and the Nokian TR12 540/65 R28. To complement the new tyres, especially when used in dual formation, the hydraulic cylinder pressure for the Fastrac 4000’s multi-mode four-wheel steering system has been increased to maintain a comfortable level of effort required at the steering wheel. Source