JCB Skid Steer

[scorpian5]

Hello, I am looking for a skid steer for farm use and i saw a ad for a jcb robot 170 and i like the looks and the price seems fair. Are there any problems with jcb skid steers? I cannot find very much info on the web about them. http://www.machinerytrader.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=6714663

 

[wilfrieds]

jcb

Hi Scorpian

The JCB is a fairly powerfull unit for its size and has some reliable components
Perkins Shibouro 1.9L engine, Sauer Danfoss MPT044 pump and Eaton wheel motors.
The only problem is its odd construction ( we call it one arm Joe ).
Access to many of its components is a bid of a nightmare.
Also its centre of gravity is out of centreointhead
The only reason one would buy this ugly duckling is say for certain safety reason.
Say you work at a furnace, where you may need make a quick escape on the LH side of the unit instead of in the front.
But if the price is right, go for it.

regards
Wilfried

 

[wilddanz71]

I have a jcb 190 and I love it! I disagree with Wilfreds claim that the center of gravity is off. If the realy look at the design the engine and cab are acually off center to the right and the single sided boom is to the left. I highly doubt the engineers would design a machine that is heavier on on side than the other. Also the consruction of the boom and tilt and lift cylinders are much heavier than any other machine that I have seen. I will admit that the fit and finish of the cab is verry simple but it is suitible.
I think that is a great deal for that machine. I paid about 8 months ago $13,000 for my 2004 jcb 190 with only 600hrs in good shape exept it needs tires soon.
any more questions just ask

 

[barklee]

The off center, one arm boom seems chinsy to me. Just cant imagine plowing into a pile of dirt over and over and having the arm not break. I think there are a lot better choices out there for skid steers. I would try a Case or New holland for farm type work. Maybe even a Deere. Just not a JCB fan....no offense to anyone out there!

 

[wilddanz71]

If you dont own one or have not used one I dont think you should judge them.

 

[KSSS]

If you dont own one or have not used one I dont think you should judge them.

I think the numbers speak for themselves. The machine enjoys practically zero penetration into the North American market. That in itself says a lot. JCB backhoes while no marketshare leader here have at least a presence in NA, the skid steers for several reasons I think cant seem to get a hold here. The JCB's I have run which were some years ago, were loud, under powered, and you cant see on the right side of that massive mono arm design. I realize what the purpose is for that design, but I think it was more of a solution looking for a problem. Like a lot of JCB products in America they don't resale very well nationally (I am sure there are some areas that may have a strong dealer that buck the national average).

Like everything, some may think they are the perfect machine. However, I think considering how long they have been marketing this machine here with little to show for it (market share), the market has pretty well spoken on this skid steer.

 

[wilddanz71]

Well maybe Volvo will turn things around now that they are adopting the mono boom design?

 

[wilddanz71]

Also by no means do I think these are the best skids steers on the market. I have ran a freinds CAT, that thing is like a frigin Porche compared to the JCB. But twice the money, And they bolth do the same dam job!!

 

[KSSS]

Also by no means do I think these are the best skids steers on the market. I have ran a freinds CAT, that thing is like a frigin Porche compared to the JCB. But twice the money, And they bolth do the same dam job!!

It maybe half the money upfront but its not going to hold any value either so I dare say its a wash at best when buying used (considering price point only). Buying new, both are going to be priced about the same, add a couple years and some hours and the JCB just turned into a real bad deal for the origninal owner. Then factor in high replacement part costs even compared to CAT, substandard performance compared to CAT ( which is by no means the segment leader in performance) and comes down to what it always seems to. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. If you need a low cost machine to mess around with probably work just fine. I don't think you can find many who really depend on a skid steer, chosing this machine for its bread and butter income. I am not trying to offend any JCB owners, just laying it out as I see it. I think a frank discussion with a JCB skid steer rep would result in the same. They cant be happy with how their machine has been accepted, at least here. They are one of the worlds largest heavy equipment producers, they are not likely used to seeing their products regulated to the basement (this may not be so true with their backhoe) in terms of acceptance as they are here in NA.

VOLVO and its skid steer line up is certainly not an industry poster child for success either. Since they purchased the rights to Scat Trac, they have done almost nothing with this machine. Volvo added pilots, made the required Tier improvements and its been basically the same machine that Scat Trac couldn't sell either. Combining the two is probably a good idea, maybe between the two they can be competetive in this market.

 

[ScottSeptic]

I have owned a 190 and a 190T JCB skid steer and as far as the arm on the machine goes I have no complaints its been plenty strong and durable, not one issue with it yet. My 190 wheeled skid steer was unreal I never repaired it once only serviced it. I had it for 3 years before I traded it for a 190T and the track machine is a total toilet. Nothing to do with the arm just a million little things have gone on it and the one big thing was the hydraulic priority pump. I love the ideas and thought process behind the machines and they are a pleasure to run but the track machine for me has been a stinker durability wise. The wheeled one, couldn't say enough good about.

 

[dave esterns]

ah, well i see lots of people seem to be uneducated about jcb. jcb is an amazing company. they r the third largest construction equipment manufacturer in the world, and most impressively they are family and privately owned. the most impressive recent feat by jcb is the dieselmax engine, which meets final emission regulation without aftertreatment. their new skid steers are amazing. i fail to see y anyone would buy a normal skid steer. 50% of all tractor loader backhoes in the world are jcb. they are one of the leaders in telehandlers. people who have a problem with the boom design are silly, its similar to their telehandler boom design... no problems there. the only problem with their skid steers is their resale. their resale has nothing to do with anything really, its just that most people are not aware of how sweet their stuff is. i feel jcb has had a hard time getting a foothold in the us because most people just stick with what they know and with what their buddies know, and none of them know about jcb.

 

[Digdeep]

ah, well i see lots of people seem to be uneducated about jcb. jcb is an amazing company. they r the third largest construction equipment manufacturer in the world, and most impressively they are family and privately owned. the most impressive recent feat by jcb is the dieselmax engine, which meets final emission regulation without aftertreatment. their new skid steers are amazing. i fail to see y anyone would buy a normal skid steer. 50% of all tractor loader backhoes in the world are jcb. they are one of the leaders in telehandlers. people who have a problem with the boom design are silly, its similar to their telehandler boom design... no problems there. the only problem with their skid steers is their resale. their resale has nothing to do with anything really, its just that most people are not aware of how sweet their stuff is. i feel jcb has had a hard time getting a foothold in the us because most people just stick with what they know and with what their buddies know, and none of them know about jcb.

I agree that JCB is a neat company; however, there are lots of neat companies....Bobcat, CAT, etc. IMO, there are two primary reasons that JCB has not had good success here in the US- 1) Poor dealer network, 2) Their machines just haven't been good enough to overcome reason number one.

While I'm curious about how their new skids will perform, they previously have been average at best...average lift, not very stable to one side with the single boom, average hydraulic capability, etc.

I can't substantiate your claim about a worldwide backhoe market share of 50% (highly unlikely in developed countries other than the UK), they have historically hovered around 4-6% market share in the US based on data shared with me not long ago by a friend with CAT. The US backhoe market isn't what it once was, but I know that 4-6% market share in our market doesn't go a long way in securing a world wide 50% market share, and I figure that CAT, CASE, and Deere would argue the 50% claim in any case.

As I stated earlier, if they had a stronger dealer network they might make some headway.

 

[KSSS]

Being an amazing company does't mean that every product they produce is amazing. Maybe the latest skid steer CTL line is amazing, but that will not erase 15 years of offering a marginal product (the initial products were terrible). Dig Deep is right about dealerships. JCB has very poor representation especially out West. Given the economy I think it could take a generation before JCB sees any significant expansion of their product in the NA market especially in the Western US. It will take solid dealerships offering a solid line of equipment at rock bottom prices in my opinion to get guys into JCB. That will take a real long time.

Resale is very important. You pay a lot of money for a machine. Its ability to hold its value so that when it time to upgrade you are not starting over is critical. Especially now when money is harder to make.

 

[Hardline]

I have a customer that said when he started his concrete business the only dealer he could get to talk to him about was the JCB dealer so he bought one of them. I did not do his repairs then so I'm not sure how the machine was for him. As soon as he got a name and some cash he switched to other machines. He now owns 1 case and 4 bobcats.And A cat and JD mini X.JJ

 

[xcmark]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YAipYV528Y


As a owner of a 2003 1110T I can see that have made many huge improvements in the area of service friendly engine and pumps. I truely hope they look at the network of dealer and parts priceing . Haveing Ok at best parts that are way over priced its going to be hard to regain a strong foot hole in the market . I hope they improve on all fronts , if the economy ever recovers used equipment will be worth something again .

 

[Digdeep]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YAipYV528Y


As a owner of a 2003 1110T I can see that have made many huge improvements in the area of service friendly engine and pumps. I truely hope they look at the network of dealer and parts priceing . Haveing Ok at best parts that are way over priced its going to be hard to regain a strong foot hole in the market . I hope they improve on all fronts , if the economy ever recovers used equipment will be worth something again .

The parts pricing is definitely a factor, but they still won't have a strong dealer network (the local dealer near Madison is a "Jack of All Trades, Master of None, selling multiple lines) even if JCB greatly reduces their prices. Secondly, IMO, Volvo has a better reputation compared to JCB. Why wouldn't a customer just buy the same "new skid" from the Volvo dealer?

The economy won't help the residual value of JCB skids much. It's more a function of perceived value on the trade, and that is more a function of brand strength.

 

[dave esterns]

i wouldnt be afraid to buy from the dealer by madison if its the one im thinking about. their bread and butter line is case ih. they are a pretty big dealer really and are among the best as far as service on case ih machines. they dont sell too many jcb, but especially the skid steer they would be very capable of working on.

 

[Digdeep]

i wouldnt be afraid to buy from the dealer by madison if its the one im thinking about. their bread and butter line is case ih. they are a pretty big dealer really and are among the best as far as service on case ih machines. they dont sell too many jcb, but especially the skid steer they would be very capable of working on.

I'm definitely not saying that Ritchie Implement is a bad dealer. I'm sure they do a good job with all of their lines even though "their bread and butter is Case IH". This proves my point though by speaking volumes about JCB's challenge to be accepted in the US market. According to you they are the third largest manufacturer of construction equipment in the world, yet they easily play second fiddle to Case IH in this instance. I'm sure they are plenty strong over in Europe and even other parts of the world (just as Deere Construction is essentially non-existent overseas, but very respectable in the US), but it is going to be a struggle to make that climb against more entrenched US OEMs.

 

[barklee]

I had a JCB backhoe for a split second and sold it. The parts are off the Charts expensive! I didnt think it had near the power our old Case had and operated really rough and was 10 years newer than the case.

 

[watglen]

i'm going to chime in here because i think about those JCB sidebooms all the time.

I looked at the jcb trackloader before i invested in the cat 257b in '05. My thinking at the time was why would i pay $55k for a jcb, when i can pay $55k for a cat and a cat will always be a cat. Also, if i recall at the time, the controls were mechanical, as were most at the time. The cat had pilot controls, and, well, nuf said.

HOWEVER, on the farm you do very little, ever, that requires you to be in the seat for more than a few minutes at a time. Mine is mostly a farmyard machine, and it gets used for lifting and moving stuff all over the place. Rearranging sheds, craning, moving pallets, handling deadstock, and the like. I find i want out of the cab quite often when the boom is in the air. Lots of times the boom crossmember is blocking the doorway, i have to climb out around it, either under or over.

I know it's unsafe, and that is my point. There are many many times when that side door would be a huge convenience and safety feature for me.