The new 245XR excavator is the latest addition to JCB’s highly acclaimed X SERIES.
Deon Cope, JCB CEA’s National Product Manager, explains key features that differentiate the machine from the rest of the market.
With an intuitive design, the 245XR offers users a reduced slewing radius, while also ensuring that other features such as cab space are not compromised.
“This is JCB’s latest release on its X SERIES platform. While the excavator platform weighs 20 to 25 tonnes, the weight comes in at 27 tonnes with the blade,” Cope says. The 245XR has a tail swing radius of 1.72 metres, which is 40 per cent less than its predecessor, the 220X Excavator.
“One of the main advantages of this feature is the reduced spin, so operators do not need to close off additional freeway lanes when they are working close to live traffic. Operators can also use the machine in tight spaces when working on building and infrastructure projects,” Cope says.
“There is also a safety aspect to the reduced tail swing, as there is less chance of damage to nearby buildings or personnel on site when the machine is in operation.”
With a 40 per cent shorter tail swing and supported by a bucket capacity of 1.25 cubicmetres, the 245XR can optimise operations in difficult working applications.
“The 245XR runs on a similar hydraulic pump system as the 220X, but we have gone with a larger pump, a larger control valve and better fluid dynamics throughout the whole machine,” he says. “So, we still maintain that speed and accuracy while also having increased breakout and performance.”
CREATING AN EQUILIBRIUM
In designing the 245XR, Cope says JCB’s engineers have allocated weight to key areas of the machine to achieve equilibrium.
Operator feedback also contributed to the design of the 245XR’s cabin, which features double cushioned viscous mounts to reduce the noise to 69 decibels. The seat-mounted joystick and switch controls can also move with the operator.
POWER AND ACCURACY
The 245XR utilises JCB’s DIESELMAX engine, which was released in 2004 and has been proven to be effective in 70 different machines globally.
Cope says the engine, which has a dedicated off-road design, contributes to reducing running costs for operators. “An advanced cylinder head design means you can get a more efficient burn at the head of the cylinder. The design also eliminates the need for a diesel particulate filter, which further cuts the maintenance costs.”
The use of AdBlue diesel exhaust fluid further adds to the engine’s performance.
“The 245XR requires approximately three per cent of AdBlue per litre of diesel, which is less than the amount required for comparable excavators,” says Cope.
SMOOTH OPERATION
Selectable Swing Smoothing is a feature that comes as standard with the 245XR and it enables the operator to customise the performance of the vehicle to suit any given application. Cope says that the feature can produce sharper, or more gradual movements, depending on what is required from the job at hand.
“Because of the additional weight of the upper revolving frame, we have selected a larger slew motor and a larger slew brake, which helps increase the torque,” Cope says. “Increased slew braking means operators can accurately slew left or right and then come back onto line when working on projects like installing pipes or cutting trenches.
“We also have the ability to smooth the slew. Where operators may want more speed instead of accuracy, they can switch to softer slew so it doesn’t brake as aggressively and has a smoother action. This is useful for tasks such as loading trucks.”
For more information, visit: www.jcb.com