-
Thank you for visiting HeavyEquipmentForums.com! Our objective is to provide industry professionals a place to gather to exchange questions, answers and ideas. We welcome you to register using the "Register" icon at the top of the page. We'd appreciate any help you can offer in spreading the word of our new site. The more members that join, the bigger resource for all to enjoy. Thank you!
jcb 214s owners opions
- Thread starter mr snow
- Start date
CascadeScaper
Senior Member
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2005
- Messages
- 1,162
- Location
- Lynnwood, WA
- Occupation
- 2nd year Operating Engineer Apprentice
E series...mmmm....
CEwriter
Senior Member
E Series intro at WoC
Cat introduced its E Series backhoe loaders to North America last month at World of Concrete. I went to the press conference, and you'll find my notes (these are just NOTES, so they're rough -- be kind) pasted below.
Construction Equipment magazine will publish a field test of the 420E IT in our March issue.
For the time being, check out the attached photos from the press kit
Caterpillar found itself in the position of market challenger with its entry into the backhoe loader market in 1980s. They attacked the positions of entrenched leaders, like Case and Deere and JCB, in worldwide markets, with technology. Cat's A Series was the first backhoe loader with variable-displacement piston pumps powering the hydraulic system. The B Series brought the arched, excavator-style boom to backhoe loaders. The C Series included the first integrated toolcarrier versions of backhoe loaders, with parallel-lift loader arms and quick-attach couplers front and rear. And the D Series made excavator-style pilot hydraulic controls standard on the flagship models at a time when many manufacturers weren't offering pilot-hydraulic controls, and those that did were offering the feature as an option only. The new E Series introduces the industry's first factory-installed electronic platform that accommodates an AccuGrade electronic grade-reference system and which promises to be the foundation of automated digging functions in the future.
Product Link and AccuGrade are options on the E Series for the first time. The AccuGrade BHL Site Reference System adds position sensors to the backhoe's hydraulic cylinders which allow it to determine the position of the bucket relative to a known reference point on the site. An inclinometer measures the pitch and yaw of the tractor so it does not have to be set up per-fectly level. This is Cat's entry-level system for the backhoe loader market.
You put a bucket tooth on a point marked with an elevation, like a grade stake, curb, or manhole, and hit the button to set the AccuGrade memory at this known reference and enter the elevation. Before swinging the backhoe to work, you program in the desired grade of the finished work. AccuGrade calculates the bucket position relative to the known reference point and indicates on a monitor mounted in the cab if the bucket is above, below, or on grade. It's expected to be about a $10,000 option.
Cat calls this the "cornerstone for future product growth and enhancements," and plans to introduce the AccuGrade BHL Laser System before the end of 2006. A laser receiver mast on the backhoe loader will integrate the E Series backhoes with laser reference systems, and the laser will replace the known reference point on the site. The system not only improves work accuracy and productivity, but it can also raise utilization on existing lasers.
The E Series is hardly just an electronic warm-over, though. Cat engineered all new frames, booms, sticks and drive trains for the new models. Cat moved the backhoe sweet spot – the bucket position where boom, stick and bucket forces are greatest – closer to the opera-tor, and most backhoe forces increased 10 percent on the 420E and 430E. Backhoe linkages and buckets were redesigned to handle the strain.
A new flow-sharing hydraulic valve stack ensures flow to all functions even when using several at the same time (under different circuit pressures and flow requirements). For exam-ple, engaging boom, stick and swing flow when coming up out of the trench.
All of the E-Series sticks are thumb-ready, and Cat is the first to market with an optional factory-installed hydraulic thumb.
Cat redesigned its extendible dipper stick as an exterior slider to improve the thumb mount-ing and the extending member's structural integrity. Wear pads can be adjusted with common tools in about 30 minutes, compared to the two-hour process necessary with its predecessor.
There are no more controls on the backhoe-operating floor. They've all been moved to roller switches on the joysticks, offering proportional control of the E Stick and other backhoe accessories.
A new axle and gear ratios in the transmission hastened transport speed 25 percent to 25 miles per hour. Cat also stretched the wheelbase 4 inches to smooth out the ride. Sharper wheelcut keeps the turning radius pretty much the same as the D-Series machines.
The difference in pricing of the D and E Series backhoe loaders is expected to be negligi-ble. Cat has already raised its prices with steel surcharges, but the packages of options on the two ranges are different enough that it's difficult to compare the two series.
ADios
Cat introduced its E Series backhoe loaders to North America last month at World of Concrete. I went to the press conference, and you'll find my notes (these are just NOTES, so they're rough -- be kind) pasted below.
Construction Equipment magazine will publish a field test of the 420E IT in our March issue.
For the time being, check out the attached photos from the press kit
Caterpillar found itself in the position of market challenger with its entry into the backhoe loader market in 1980s. They attacked the positions of entrenched leaders, like Case and Deere and JCB, in worldwide markets, with technology. Cat's A Series was the first backhoe loader with variable-displacement piston pumps powering the hydraulic system. The B Series brought the arched, excavator-style boom to backhoe loaders. The C Series included the first integrated toolcarrier versions of backhoe loaders, with parallel-lift loader arms and quick-attach couplers front and rear. And the D Series made excavator-style pilot hydraulic controls standard on the flagship models at a time when many manufacturers weren't offering pilot-hydraulic controls, and those that did were offering the feature as an option only. The new E Series introduces the industry's first factory-installed electronic platform that accommodates an AccuGrade electronic grade-reference system and which promises to be the foundation of automated digging functions in the future.
Product Link and AccuGrade are options on the E Series for the first time. The AccuGrade BHL Site Reference System adds position sensors to the backhoe's hydraulic cylinders which allow it to determine the position of the bucket relative to a known reference point on the site. An inclinometer measures the pitch and yaw of the tractor so it does not have to be set up per-fectly level. This is Cat's entry-level system for the backhoe loader market.
You put a bucket tooth on a point marked with an elevation, like a grade stake, curb, or manhole, and hit the button to set the AccuGrade memory at this known reference and enter the elevation. Before swinging the backhoe to work, you program in the desired grade of the finished work. AccuGrade calculates the bucket position relative to the known reference point and indicates on a monitor mounted in the cab if the bucket is above, below, or on grade. It's expected to be about a $10,000 option.
Cat calls this the "cornerstone for future product growth and enhancements," and plans to introduce the AccuGrade BHL Laser System before the end of 2006. A laser receiver mast on the backhoe loader will integrate the E Series backhoes with laser reference systems, and the laser will replace the known reference point on the site. The system not only improves work accuracy and productivity, but it can also raise utilization on existing lasers.
The E Series is hardly just an electronic warm-over, though. Cat engineered all new frames, booms, sticks and drive trains for the new models. Cat moved the backhoe sweet spot – the bucket position where boom, stick and bucket forces are greatest – closer to the opera-tor, and most backhoe forces increased 10 percent on the 420E and 430E. Backhoe linkages and buckets were redesigned to handle the strain.
A new flow-sharing hydraulic valve stack ensures flow to all functions even when using several at the same time (under different circuit pressures and flow requirements). For exam-ple, engaging boom, stick and swing flow when coming up out of the trench.
All of the E-Series sticks are thumb-ready, and Cat is the first to market with an optional factory-installed hydraulic thumb.
Cat redesigned its extendible dipper stick as an exterior slider to improve the thumb mount-ing and the extending member's structural integrity. Wear pads can be adjusted with common tools in about 30 minutes, compared to the two-hour process necessary with its predecessor.
There are no more controls on the backhoe-operating floor. They've all been moved to roller switches on the joysticks, offering proportional control of the E Stick and other backhoe accessories.
A new axle and gear ratios in the transmission hastened transport speed 25 percent to 25 miles per hour. Cat also stretched the wheelbase 4 inches to smooth out the ride. Sharper wheelcut keeps the turning radius pretty much the same as the D-Series machines.
The difference in pricing of the D and E Series backhoe loaders is expected to be negligi-ble. Cat has already raised its prices with steel surcharges, but the packages of options on the two ranges are different enough that it's difficult to compare the two series.
ADios
Attachments
TimG
Member
I love our 214S. We had a 580K, then a 214, now the 214S. I have heard everyone complaining about the JCB's, and I don't know what they are talking about. Both our JCB's have been great. The 214 has unparalleled pushing power and flotation, which means the world when backfilling trenches. The JCB's seem to be built much heavier, and I love the swing up rear window. I always detested the sliding one on the Case. Around here, from what I see, JCB's have pretty well taken over the market. I seem to see about 4 JCB's for every other backhoe out there. You couldn't pay me enough to go back to Case. Just my two cents.
i ran a 217 before. the machine had a nicer interior than my truck.
i dont know if the people that bash the jcb's, were using the older models?? you can easily bash anything old.
jcb invented the backhoe, and sells the most in the world. so they must be doing something right.
jcb even supplies a high speed loader to the US Army.
JCB HMEE
i dont know if the people that bash the jcb's, were using the older models?? you can easily bash anything old.
jcb invented the backhoe, and sells the most in the world. so they must be doing something right.
jcb even supplies a high speed loader to the US Army.
JCB HMEE
Attachments
LowBoy
Senior Member
- Joined
- Nov 23, 2006
- Messages
- 1,149
- Location
- Southern Vt. on the Mass./NH borders
- Occupation
- Owner, Iron Mountain Iron & Equipment (Transport)
There's nothing bad to say about a "Junior Corn Binder". I had a '96 214S here one winter for moving my snow when we were actually getting some back about 4 years ago. I loved it. Plenty of pushing power, fast hydraulics. Plush interiors for a TLB. Couldn't wait for it to snow at the time. Had good heat and FM radio, too. Went to tirechains.com and orderd a set of ring chains for the rear, so I never had a problem even in deep, wet snow.
The only weak spot I found was the transmission. Mine was an auction purchase, and understandably so. When the machine warmed up and was being worked in travel mode, the transmission would suddenly lock up until it cooled. I checked, rechecked, and serviced the transmission, but somewheres between it's life with me and the previous owner, the damage was done.
The used market prices are more tolerable on them compared to the big dogs (and cats,) too. I moved one recently from Syracuse, NY to Chelsea, Ma. to a guy who bought it sight-unseen from Rock & Dirt mag. Although it only rode on my trailer for 6-7 hours till it reached it's new home, there wasn't one drop of liquid underneath it. It was a '94 model 214, a little rough looking from having a hammer on it, but overall, a great deal at 20K so I thought.
I'd consider a JCB over any of the others if making a new purchase, without hesitation.:thumbsup
The only weak spot I found was the transmission. Mine was an auction purchase, and understandably so. When the machine warmed up and was being worked in travel mode, the transmission would suddenly lock up until it cooled. I checked, rechecked, and serviced the transmission, but somewheres between it's life with me and the previous owner, the damage was done.
The used market prices are more tolerable on them compared to the big dogs (and cats,) too. I moved one recently from Syracuse, NY to Chelsea, Ma. to a guy who bought it sight-unseen from Rock & Dirt mag. Although it only rode on my trailer for 6-7 hours till it reached it's new home, there wasn't one drop of liquid underneath it. It was a '94 model 214, a little rough looking from having a hammer on it, but overall, a great deal at 20K so I thought.
I'd consider a JCB over any of the others if making a new purchase, without hesitation.:thumbsup
Last edited:
mtb345
Well-Known Member
perfect
if this set up is so perfect how come cat ,jd ,case dont make one .it seems when one of them comes up with agood idea they all copy each other [banana boom , excavator control, ext stick creature comforts in the cab ]
well,
they call it "4x4x4". means, 4wheel drive, 4 wheel steer, 4 equal size wheels.
0- Normally all machines built with 4 equal sized wheels!
1- This helps to get almost perfect stability.
2- Also Small front wheels can not handle weight over 3-3,5 tonnes. There fore these big front wheels last longer than small ones.
3- Traditional backhoes', back wheels speed never equals to small front wheels. Equal wheels turn with equal speed. Therefore these big front wheels last longer than small ones.
4- 4 wheel steering machines can make parallel parking in narrow areas without manouevre. This helps you works safer and faster
5- While using the loader, small front wheels does not contact with ground perfectly. On 4x4x4 machines, if front wheels' contact get lost, back steering wheels help to turn machine. this proves perfect control.
Hmmh, I dont know the worth of this option (4x4x4). But JCB offers this for an extra 10.000 € in europe.
Ok it's technically perfect but sooo expensive.
if this set up is so perfect how come cat ,jd ,case dont make one .it seems when one of them comes up with agood idea they all copy each other [banana boom , excavator control, ext stick creature comforts in the cab ]
d4c24a
Senior Member
4x4x4
mtb345 here in the UK cat ,case and new holland do market an equal size wheel machine to match the jcb 4cx, i personally preferred the cat with the small front wheels and all wheel steering ,when doing alot of travelling on road the jcb 4cx cannot make some turns in front wheel steering only you have to change into all wheel steer make the turn then turn back to front wheel steer hope that the wheels have aligned and continue ,as driving in all wheel steer is not recomended,but remember we have small narrow winding roads here in the UK
mtb345 here in the UK cat ,case and new holland do market an equal size wheel machine to match the jcb 4cx, i personally preferred the cat with the small front wheels and all wheel steering ,when doing alot of travelling on road the jcb 4cx cannot make some turns in front wheel steering only you have to change into all wheel steer make the turn then turn back to front wheel steer hope that the wheels have aligned and continue ,as driving in all wheel steer is not recomended,but remember we have small narrow winding roads here in the UK
pwrstroke6john
Well-Known Member
I have 4wheel steer on my Do-Mor and I love it. I only wish that I had purchased the newer bigger terex backhoe with 4wheel steer. 4wheel steer is very nice esspecially while plowing snow when the front wheels pressure on the front wheels stops.
Nope
Cat, Case, New holland, JCB, HIDROMEK and Komatsu are recently producing 4x4x4 backhoes. Some of them are not marketing at US markets.
if this set up is so perfect how come cat ,jd ,case dont make one .it seems when one of them comes up with agood idea they all copy each other [banana boom , excavator control, ext stick creature comforts in the cab ]
Cat, Case, New holland, JCB, HIDROMEK and Komatsu are recently producing 4x4x4 backhoes. Some of them are not marketing at US markets.
JS580SL
Senior Member
Im not a jcb fan and have not run a 4x4x4 hoe yet, but the one 214 Series III I did run was a tank in 2nd gear. Only thing I did like. I did not like the feel or setup of the controls, did not like the e-hoe, hated the way the windows curved.
Im a die hard Case man myself. Only 2 backhoes Id buy is Deere and Case.Both just as reliable.
Im a die hard Case man myself. Only 2 backhoes Id buy is Deere and Case.Both just as reliable.
In North America it seems JCB has a tough go, but they build a competitive machine. As for the 4x4x4 units, they have sold the lion's share of them in North America. I have a 217S Series II that I purchased used last summer. I wouldn't have anything but a 4x4x4 machine for the type of work we do around the farm. Traction and mobility in uneven / soft ground is unbeatable and the big front tires provide plenty of ground clearance. Loader performance is fast and smooth. The hoe has plenty of power and speed as well. In short, a lot of it is what you are familiar with. Overall JCB builds competitive machines but their dealer network in North America is not up to the other big three. They are resonably priced in the used market when compared to Case / Deere / Cat.