British manufacturer JCB has launched its first fully electric wheeled loader, the 403E, for the agricultural sector
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The 403E has a built-in charger that allows connection to a range of on-site power sources
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With zero emissions and low noise output, the new 403E is ideal for working in livestock buildings, glasshouses, and other areas with lots of staff present.
This new model boasts a 20kWh lithium-ion battery pack and is said to have the largest capacity in its class and can match the productivity of the equivalent 403 diesel model.
With the aim of reducing carbon production on farms, the 20kWh lithium-ion battery pack is assembled from proven JCB modules, as pioneered in the company’s existing range of electric equipment. These batteries, coupled with high-efficiency electric motors and optimised traction and hydraulic systems, ensure the loader can work a full day or four to five hours of continuous use in a mixed-duty cycle.
In common with the JCB E-Tech range, the 403E has a built-in charger that allows connection to a range of on-site power sources. A 110-volt socket will fully charge the batteries in 12 hours, while a 230-volt industrial or domestic plug will charge the battery pack in just eight hours. JCB’s off-board rapid charger delivers a full charge from a three-phase supply in just two hours.
The machine is equipped with two independent electric motors, one for the driveline and one for the hydraulics. The drive motor offers 33.4kW of power and comes with three driving modes that the operator can toggle between using two buttons on top of the joystick.
The fastest option is Hare Mode, which has a maximum drive speed of 20kph. Tortoise Mode is limited to 8kph for improved speed modulation. This contributes to increased battery life with no compromise to lifting performance.
Snail Mode has a 5kph maximum speed, that can be adjusted in 0.5kph increments through a new rotary controller and the multifunction display. This delivers precise speed control for precision driving and inching.
Drive is transmitted through an integrated drop-box to ZF axles that can be supplied with open differentials or with differential locks for maximum traction. The loader is offered with a choice of narrow or wide wheels, plus the option of agricultural or industrial tyres, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.
Reach height
Carried over from the 403 diesel model, the loader arms are available in standard and high-lift configurations. The standard lift arms deliver a pin height of 2.9 metres, while the high-lift model achieves a 3.1-metre pin height. Both loader arm set-ups come with a hydraulic quick hitch as standard, and the loader arms provide true parallel lift.
The 403E offers a tipping load of 972kg with pallet forks, within a transport weight of 2671kg.
A heavy-duty counterweight is available as an option, increasing the tipping load by 118kg and the transport weight by 121kg.The machine has a single joystick with a proportional auxiliary controller on top. An optional second auxiliary roller can be provided, allowing the operator to access all loader functions from one lever for faster operation.
The machine also has a 20kW high-efficiency hydraulic pump motor, and the hydraulic system offers two operating modes, controlled by a rocker switch on the main console.
Shovel/bucket mode provides dynamic response, while the fork mode delivers increased precision control. A programmable constant flow auxiliary feature is also standard to power motorised attachments such as bedding spreaders used in cubicle houses or open yards, hay and silage bale processors, and yard sweepers, with the operator setting the flow rate through the main display and rotary controller.
Optional cab
The 403E is offered with a fixed or folding canopy initially, with a fully glazed cab as an alternative from Q3 in 2023. There’s a new multifunction digital display, controlled by the rotary controller to the right of the loader joystick. The operator can use the rotary controller to set auxiliary hydraulic flow rates, inching travel speeds and other settings within the display. The monitor also provides all critical machine operating data, including driving mode, state of battery charge, and travel speed.
With reduced noise levels and machine vibration, the 403E is a comfortable, highly productive zero-emission loader, capable of working with a range of attachments.
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