JCB AgriPro DuelTech Variable transmission, anyone using one?

[Shovelhands]

Just wondering if anyone has got a Telehandler fitted with the DuelTech Variable transmission? If so how's it going? It sounds good to me, our JCB fitter says it's very good, I trust him, but he is understandably a bit biased, I'd be interested to hear from any end users.

Possibly looking to change our loadall, 535-95, thinking the new trans is the way forward, but would be nice to have some feedback first if we do change.

Also if anyone has had a recent quote on a new loadall I'd be interested to hear how the quote I currently have compares, seems steep to me, they seem to have gone up a lot in the last few years! if anyone is willing to share info on this then PM me please, as I would not want to discuss quotes here, nor would I expect anyone else to.

Thanks in advance for any help, info, opinions ect ect.

 

[Andrew]

We had a demo 540 on loan for a while, very good machine and the transmission is very good. Think we did about 100hrs with it. Watching our driver load a load of straw, loading a full wagon and drag he touched the brakes 3 times. He's definitely not slow either. It's just so precise when inching you don't need the brakes.
It does take a lot of getting used to though, feels like you're driving with the brakes on to start with but you soon get used to it. We were all gutted when it went back. I can't give you any long term views on reliability but I believe the gearbox is the JCB 4 speed thats been in loadalls for about 15 years, and the hydrostat is the same as used in all the other makes so should be good.

All this from a man who hates Merlo / Claas etc because of the gearbox!

 

[sjt01]

Had a demo machine on the maize clamp. Also had demos of Merlo, Manitou and Case. Bought the JCB DualTech. Not had that much hard work since maize harvest but very pleased so far. It was the operator's choice. All the others had their good points, but overall we preferred the new JCB. Delivery was very quick, they must have built a few for stock. Traded in our T reg 530/70 which was the last of 4 we bought when changing from Sandersons back in the last century.
Stephen

 

[An Gof]

Just wondering if anyone has got a Telehandler fitted with the DuelTech Variable transmission? If so how's it going? It sounds good to me, our JCB fitter says it's very good, I trust him, but he is understandably a bit biased, I'd be interested to hear from any end users.

Possibly looking to change our loadall, 535-95, thinking the new trans is the way forward, but would be nice to have some feedback first if we do change.

Also if anyone has had a recent quote on a new loadall I'd be interested to hear how the quote I currently have compares, seems steep to me, they seem to have gone up a lot in the last few years! if anyone is willing to share info on this then PM me please, as I would not want to discuss quotes here, nor would I expect anyone else to.

Thanks in advance for any help, info, opinions ect ect.

Had recent quote for JCB 536-60 and Manitou 634-120 both top spec machines. Let me know if that is any help. There was a VERY large difference between competing JCB dealers on the same machine so it pays to look around

 

[jondear]

Had recent quote for JCB 536-60 and Manitou 634-120 both top spec machines. Let me know if that is any help. There was a VERY large difference between competing JCB dealers on the same machine so it pays to look around

Which did you go for?

 

[Blue.]

Just wondering if anyone has got a Telehandler fitted with the DuelTech Variable transmission? If so how's it going? It sounds good to me, our JCB fitter says it's very good, I trust him, but he is understandably a bit biased, I'd be interested to hear from any end users.

Possibly looking to change our loadall, 535-95, thinking the new trans is the way forward, but would be nice to have some feedback first if we do change.

Also if anyone has had a recent quote on a new loadall I'd be interested to hear how the quote I currently have compares, seems steep to me, they seem to have gone up a lot in the last few years! if anyone is willing to share info on this then PM me please, as I would not want to discuss quotes here, nor would I expect anyone else to.

Thanks in advance for any help, info, opinions ect ect.

I priced a new industrial spec 535-95 last spring,sway,air seat,limited slip diff,109hp engine and it was £43.5k,I'm a big fan of the 4 speed gearbox but we rarely go on the main road.

 

[An Gof]

Which did you go for?

Stuck with Manitou, dealer was very persuasive

 

[Mark C]

We just swapped a 7000 hour 531-70 for a 541-70 agri pro. Only had it 10 days but love it so far! Still not sold on the Bibload tyres as they do hold onto the mud rather too well.

 

[Niteforce]

Tried one the other week and surprisingly soon got used to the new transmission but it was a lot noisier than our current jcb 536/70 xtra in the cab and also diesel tank not big enough and the stupid safety cutoff on the boom drove me bonkers. So not in a rush to swap at the mo.

 

[Gav]

Had a demo machine on the maize clamp. Also had demos of Merlo, Manitou and Case. Bought the JCB DualTech. Not had that much hard work since maize harvest but very pleased so far. It was the operator's choice. All the others had their good points, but overall we preferred the new JCB. Delivery was very quick, they must have built a few for stock. Traded in our T reg 530/70 which was the last of 4 we bought when changing from Sandersons back in the last century.
Stephen

I can remember delivering a new Sanderson to your farm back in 1991/92 while having a day at work with my late Father. I seem to remember you and your Father were good customers of his.



Those thinking of getting a 535-95 just be aware that a standard telescopic forklift certificate only covers machines up to 9m reach, that one is 9.5m so falls into the next category up therefore means another course!

 

[Pingu]

I can remember delivering a new Sanderson to your farm back in 1991/92 while having a day at work with my late Father. I seem to remember you and your Father were good customers of his.



Those thinking of getting a 535-95 just be aware that a standard telescopic forklift certificate only covers machines up to 9m reach, that one is 9.5m so falls into the next category up therefore means another course!

Trainers head kicking in gav

 

[Gav]

Trainers head kicking in gav

Afraid so, that particular model JCB has caught a few people out before now so thought it was worth a mention

 

[Ryan johnstone]

Had a demo of one a few month ago quite liked it bought one yesterday, traded the manitou 840 in after 2 years for constantly breaking down and falling to bits

 

[ewald]

Lantra have rearranged their telehandler groups - the 9m restriction no longer applies. New certs are either with or without stabiliser legs

 

[Thomas Simpson]

Priced 741 v 540 no difference in price but went jcb , its okay but prefer cab and joystick in manitou but engine, gearbox,ride better in jcb and being built in this country counted towards it alot. The fancy gearbox was another £5 grand on top so we stuck with the standard gearbox. A friend of mine has one and likes it, just takes some getting used to.

 

[ACEngineering]

Had a demo of one a few month ago quite liked it bought one yesterday, traded the manitou 840 in after 2 years for constantly breaking down and falling to bits

Ah you wont be needing that old axle any more then

 

[Ryan johnstone]

Ah you wont be needing that old axle any more then

Nope don't need it now, sorry late reply

 

[Shovelhands]

Well....I finally got this on demo today. I would really have liked it during harvest, as it would have been good to have had it loading the spreader for a day, it would have been the best test for me, unfortunately there’s not much work for the loadall at the moment, so I’ve literally had to have a play with it, rather than ‘work’ it.

Had a little road trip in it this morning, to bring it to work with me. And it’s awesome on the road, my 535-95 Agri Super is good on the road, but this is just a tad better, I have no real complaints about the old 6 speed, and tbh this DualTech is not so much better, rather just different. The change between hydro and power shift, at 19kmh, is seamless, you don’t even realise it’s changed!
However, it’s at low speeds where it excels, so much more controllable than the 6 speed, which again, I have no issue with, but this DuelTech is brilliant, I can see it will make repetitive cycles, like loading a trailer or spreader ect, much less effort and once accustomed to it, will speed up cycle times.
A really neat feature, that I had no idea about, is the ability to set and maintain a constant engine rpm, and then use the foot throttle as a ‘go’ pedal, it has no influence on engine rpm in this mode, simply push the pedal to make it move, inching is excellent and very easy, no more holding the machine back on the brakes! And as the rpm is already set, at 1500rpm, or increments of 100rpm above that, there is plenty of oil flow for loader operations. From what I’ve been told, this feature was not designed or intended to be used for loading operations, but I can see great potential for it in such an application. From the limited play with the machine, today, I can see that once used to it, it would be a true joy to operate.

Anyone looking at a new JCB loadall, should most definitely get a demo of the DualTech AgriPro model, it may not suit everyone, but I think it’s quite impressive.

 

[Farma Parma]

pity they have to have as much rear overhang... you can get a Merlo thats easily a foot shorter than the jcb yet it has
much the same lift cap. being a merlo hydro trans fan id say driving that dualtech gbox will be easy enuff.
I cannot drive the standard JCB trans it just feels all wrong. soz 13yrs converted to Hydro i aint going back.
JCB looks smart tho, a year yest i had the factory tour & seen them being made.

 

[ollie989898]

pity they have to have as much rear overhang... you can get a Merlo thats easily a foot shorter than the jcb yet it has
much the same lift cap. being a merlo hydro trans fan id say driving that dualtech gbox will be easy enuff.
I cannot drive the standard JCB trans it just feels all wrong. soz 13yrs converted to Hydro i aint going back.
JCB looks smart tho, a year yest i had the factory tour & seen them being made.

Merlo would be my choice also. Run rings around any JCB and makes them feel cumbersome. They also make some fairly monster handlers which I would love to give a go one day.

I think they need to make a pivot machine personally.