Combining the manoeuvrability of a skid-steer loader, the low ground pressure and grip of a tracked loader, and the added versatility of a telescopic boom, the 3TS-8T, a new tracked version of JCB’s Teleskid, is designed to work where conditions underfoot are delicate.
Retaining the same compact skid-steering and telescopic boom concept as the wheeled 3TS-8W, power to the tracked machine comes from a 4.4-litre 74hp (55kW) JCB EcoMAX block. The hydraulic system generates 90-litres/min of oil flow as standard or 125-litres/min with the optional high-flow system. Running on 450mm wide rubber belts fitted to the rigidly-mounted track frames, hydrostatic drive provides speeds up to 12.6km/hr.
While providing similar performance figures in terms of lift height and forward reach as the wheeled version, the tracked machine lifts 5.7t (4.4t for the 3TS-8W). Rated operating capacity (35% of the tipping load) for the tracked machine is 732kg when the boom is at full extension, and maximum load-over height increases from 2.9m to 3.8m, with forward reach at ground level increasing from 1.1m to 2.25m.
Between those two extremes JCB says there is sufficient forward reach to load and offload pallets, potato boxes, fertiliser bulk bags and bales from one side of a standard truck or farm trailer. Like its wheeled counterpart, the Teleskid 3TS-8T is available with 0.43m³ or 0.36m³ buckets and a wide range of other attachments.
