What are these like? It’s a 2020 with 3000 hours, dual tech gearbox. Thinking of swapping my 541-70 which has been reliable in its 7500 hours and 14 years with me. Thinking of freshening up as we’ve got some harder work moving rubble on an ongoing basis as well as normal farm stuff.
JCB 542-70
- Thread starter Pottersfarm
- Start date
Punch
Member
- Location
- Warwickshire
Know of 2 locally and they’ve been ok for them. I‘d love one eventually but a bit out my price range just now.
Dual tech has been around a good few years so should be ok.
Dual tech has been around a good few years so should be ok.
- Location
- Lincs / Cambs border
We got a new one just before harvest and have no problems, it’s also really nice to operate.
- Location
- Lincs / Cambs border
Only problem we do have is the smooth ride on the boom is nowhere near as good as our previous machine , without a bucket on the front it’s non existent.
Have no experience of them whatsoever, but would guess that most pivot steers are used to doze in silage and hydrostatics are practically useless at that so...
Timbo
Member
- Location
- Gods County
Ahh but it doesn't quite work like that. Would be superb on a clamp
Hydro up to 20k, but like i said, a guess. Hydros definitely suck at clamp work
Most pivots load feeders, bend around obstacles to straw, move stuff, well on a good number dairy farms anyway. There’s a JCB 435 pushing in silage here, it makes a 320 look rather silly on a clamp. Having used a torque converter machine for years and then a hydrostatic, there’s no way I’d go back to the TC, I’ve put my left leg into retirement!
beltbreaker
Member
- Location
- Ross-shire
Just trading my 21 538/60 Dual tech in at 3000hrs, only because I have a chance to change it while I still have some cash. Until now its been trouble free, there are 3 or 4 within 5 miles, up to 6000hrs on them and have been good. one had problems with a loom rubbing through and being bodged by employees to keep going. I think early ones had trouble with axles. New cab is a much nicer environment but curved windscreen expensive for insurance to repair... i am told!
I have the 130hp model, it is sluggish in the field when pulling a full load of hesstons and can run out of power and thus forward speed on banks. Previous Merlo ran out of traction, once on road and torque lock engaged its a different animal. Single reverse gear is a minor handicap but in my declining years I am slightly less of a speed freak in reverse!! Loading lorries its cracking 10-12 minutes and smooth so less likely of spilling grain. Paint is still shite no mater what they say!
I have the 130hp model, it is sluggish in the field when pulling a full load of hesstons and can run out of power and thus forward speed on banks. Previous Merlo ran out of traction, once on road and torque lock engaged its a different animal. Single reverse gear is a minor handicap but in my declining years I am slightly less of a speed freak in reverse!! Loading lorries its cracking 10-12 minutes and smooth so less likely of spilling grain. Paint is still shite no mater what they say!
Khan
Member
- Location
- Emerald Isle
Have a 2021 with a Dual tech box. Very good machine and does marry the hydro and torque convertor well. Ours is 150hp 40K, think they are now available with 170hp and 50K but we try to keep ourselves on hard yard and avoid roading/field work. First rigid after running two pivots, ideal for grain loading and bale stacking. Cab is a big upgrade compared to Schaffer. Mechanically very good, black paint is poor.