JCB introduces the world’s first Backhoe Loader with AMT & the largest Made in India Excavator, the JCB 380LC

JCB India, a leading manufacturer of Earthmoving and Construction Equipment, is leveraging digital technology by integrating Big Data and Internet of Things in its products and services. The new line-up of innovative and intelligent machines exhibited a blend of technology and digital innovation to meet the demand for world class machines to build India’s Next Gen Infrastructure.

Mr. Vipin Sondhi, MD and CEO, JCB India, said, “Through continual innovation, our range of intelligent machines are being used in infrastructure projects, and not only in India, but also in over 85 countries where JCB’s ‘Made in India’ machines have been exported to.

We have made the iconic JCB Backhoe Loader even better with the introduction of five world’s first features; including an AMT which is an Automated Manual Transmission called Easy Shift. In line with our philosophy of being a Full Range Infrastructure Equipment Partner, we have also introduced our largest ‘Made in India’ machine – the JCB 380LC, a 38T Tracked Excavator.

On the back of this year’s theme of ‘Smart Technologies: Fuelling the Next Generation Infra’, we have introduced smart and digitally enhanced technologies in our products and services. We are stepping up our offerings to provide the latest solutions based on the evolving customer trends through customer centric apps and by integrating Internet of Things through our advanced Telematics Technology, Livelink.”

JCB’s multiple mobile applications ensure that all the relevant information is just a click away for the users. Applications such as JCB Livelink, Smart Diagnostic, Parts E-sell and Digital product manuals will re-define how customers interact with manufacturers, and are aimed at improving the overall customer experience by providing important information in real time.

JCB India is the first manufacturer in the world to offer Easy Shift AMT on a Backhoe Loader. It allows gear shifting without any operator effort, through a rotating knob below the steering wheel, thus, replacing the gear lever. This facilitates ease of operation, a rested operator, and ensures better productivity.

On the fuel efficiency of its new AMT, Mr. Sondhi said, “We realise that 50% of operating costs is that of fuel and hence we are working towards fuel efficiency as an imperative parameter. This new AMT along with a variable hydraulic pump provides an opportunity to save fuel by upto 10%. It is an Automated Manual Transmission, and not a power shift, or a complete hydraulic transmission. We have taken the advantage of power shift while retaining the benefit of fuel efficiency of a mechanical transmission, hence it is a combination of both technologies, giving the benefit of better performance and more operator comfort.”

The new Backhoe Loader is packed with 30 new innovative features, including 15 industry firsts, and five of world’s firsts such as AMT, SOS switch, Economy and Power Mode, Guide Me Home, and Smart App machine Diagnostics. “This is a revolutionary product and we are trying to make our backhoes a much more modern machine meeting the requirements of our customers. The new version is built around the operator, his/her comfort, safety, and ease of operation. JCB is moving towards an era of combining digital technology, with traditional mechanical technology all of which is to give more value to its customers, and to give products with one global quality,” said Mr. Jasmeet Singh, Head - Corporate Communications and External Relations, JCB India.

JCB’s new 38T Tracked Excavator comes in two variants: the JCB 380LC Xtra and the JCB 380LC Quarry Master (QM). JCB also introduced an all new 38T Tracked Excavator with two variants – the JCB 380LC Xtra and the JCB 380LC Quarry Master (QM). The JCB380LCQM offers 16% Higher Lifting Capacity owing to a combination of high hydraulic power and high operating weight and provides 6% more output while handling blocks. The JCB Dieselmax engine return a 3% high fuel efficiency and generates high torque at low speed to suit the job needs.


The JCB 380LC Xtra comes with a powerful engine and its hydraulic performance gives the power to do more than expected. The wide range of heavy duty buckets can be used as per different applications and strata to maximise output which is available from 1.4 to 2.3 cu.m. Power boost feature increases hydraulic system pressure to provide higher digging force and lifting capacity when needed.

The JCB 116 Soil Compactor is the first in the industry to have a Compaction Monitoring System (CMS) integrated with Livelink. The CMS ensures uniform compaction by optimising the overall compaction process. The on-board digital display for real time monitoring ensures accuracy in compaction with alerts on over-compaction, optimises the number of passes, and saves fuel and time.

The Loader Productivity Management System (LPMS) in the JCB 455ZX helps in real time monitoring of individual weight of loaded bucket, Total Accumulated Weight, Tare weight, and Number of loaded buckets. Its integration with JCB LiveLink (another industry first), is used to transmit the monitored value to server for analytics and report generation.

Also, on display was the company’s revolutionary Telehandlers, Skid Steer Loaders, the Super Loaders and Mini Excavators. This range of JCB machines was accompanied by a wide range of attachments such as Rock Breakers, Power Grab, Unloading Rock, Concrete Block Handler, Vibratory Roller, Industrial Grappler, General Purpose Shovel, Side Shift Fork, Crane Hook - Fork Mounted, Man Platform, Side Dump Bucket and Rib Erectors among others which were also seen on display.

Mr. Jasmeet Singh also added, “If our customers want onsite service engineers or parts supply, we are willing to put them onsite, and all of it will be linked through Livelink. Our 24x7 Livelink efficacy is what differentiates JCB machines from other manufacturers.”