Lord Bamford Archives - North America FarmQuip Magazine

JCB leads the way with first Hydrogen fuelled Excavator

Michele Catinari — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 15:00:00 +0000

JCB has developed the construction industry’s first-ever hydrogen-powered excavator as it continues to lead the sector on zero and low carbon technologies, the company announced today.

The 20-tonne 220X excavator powered by a hydrogen fuel cell has been undergoing rigorous testing at JCB’s quarry proving grounds for more than 12 months. The exciting development means JCB is the first construction equipment company in the world to unveil a working prototype of an excavator powered by hydrogen.

The development of the first hydrogen-fuelled excavator is very exciting as we strive towards a zero-carbon world. In the coming months, JCB will continue to develop and refine this technology with advanced testing of our prototype machine and we will continue to be at the forefront of technologies designed to build a zero-carbon future.

Lord Bamford, JCB Chairman

Lord Bamford’s son Jo Bamford spent 14 years at JCB before moving into the hydrogen sector, setting up Ryse Hydrogen, and then buying Northern Ireland bus giant Wrightbus. He has won contracts to supply the world’s first hydrogen double-decker to cities such as London and Aberdeen.

Jo added:

“I truly believe hydrogen is the UK’s best opportunity to build a world-leading industry which creates UK jobs, cuts emissions and is the envy of the globe.”

Power for JCB’s prototype excavator is generated by reacting hydrogen with oxygen in a fuel cell to create the energy needed to run electric motors. The only emission from the exhaust is water.

The development comes after JCB made manufacturing history last year by going into full production with the construction industry’s first fully electric mini excavator, the 19C-1E. JCB has also extended electric technology to its innovative Teletruk telescopic forklift range with the launch of an electric model, the JCB 30-19E.

Through constant innovation and design improvements, JCB has also been leading the way on clean diesel technology to meet Stage V EU emissions regulations and has almost eradicated the most harmful emissions from its latest range of diesel engines. Nitrous Oxide (NOx) is down 97%, soot particulates down by 98% and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions down by almost half.

Source: JCB

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JCB Production Line celebrates new Goal

Michele Catinari — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 16:00:34 +0000

JCB celebrated a unique milestone as its 750,000th backhoe loader rolled off the production line in Rocester, Staffordshire.

In 1953 company founder Joseph Cyril Bamford CBE conceived the idea of the JCB backhoe loader which created, for the first time, a single machine combining a front shovel and rear excavator arm. In its first full year of production in 1954, just 35 of the machines were produced and it took more than 20 years for the first 50,000 to be made. JCB now manufactures backhoe loaders in the UK, USA, India, and Brazil.

“Some of my earliest childhood memories are of watching our first backhoe loaders being produced and it’s incredible to think we have now manufactured 750,000,”

said Lord Bamford, JCB Chairman.

“The backhoe remains one of the world’s most popular construction machines almost seven decades after it first was produced, dominating the world market for 19 consecutive years. It is a testament to the versatility of the machine that its popularity continues to endure. With the continuation of JCB’s innovation and capability, we will continue to see this machine prosper in the future,”

said Richard Fox- Marrs, president of JCB North America.

The company’s first backhoe was the JCB Mark I and the concept literally changed the world, mechanizing many jobs that had previously been done by hand. The product developed rapidly, with the launch of the Hydra-Digga in 1956. The launch of the heavier, more powerful JCB 4 in 1960 was the first machine with JCB’s signature yellow branding.

In 1980, an investment of nearly $31 million to design the technologically advanced JCB 3CX created a machine that has become a backhoe icon around the world – and the catalyst for the growth of backhoe sales and for JCB.

Today, the current generation of backhoe loaders feature automatic deployment of stabilizers on unlevel ground, a Smooth Ride System which cushions the loader and improves load retention when traveling, and a TorqueLock feature which reduces on-road fuel consumption by up to 25%.

Source: JCB

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TRIBUTES PAID TO JCB EMPLOYEE NUMBER THREE WHO DIES AGED 86

Michele Catinari — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 14:27:50 +0000

Bill Hirst MBE – who was the third person recruited by JCB in 1947 – passed away on Sunday, January 5^that the age of 86. He joined the company starting as a teaboy then becoming a director.

JCB Chairman Lord Bamford led the tributes to the man who joined JCB as the company was in its infancy. Lord Bamford said:

“Bill and his generation helped my father to build a company which became a real force in the world of construction equipment. Bill was very proud to have worked for JCB and will be remembered by many, many people from the early days of the company. I’d like to offer my condolences to Bill’s wife Jean and all her family at this very sad time.”

Bill joined JCB as a 14-year-old tea boy when he left St Joseph’s School in Uttoxeter, where he had been Head Boy.

Bill Hirst. Courtesy of JCB

He was recruited on a salary of £1 a week when the company was based at stables at Crakemarsh, three miles down the road from JCB’s World Headquarters at Rocester.

And it was Bill who was instrumental in the relocation to Rocester in 1950 to the site of a former cheese factory. Bill knew JCB Founder Joseph Cyril Bamford was searching for a new location for a factory and suggested the Rocester site – because it was closer to home and meant he could spend an extra 10 minutes in bed each morning.

Bill started his National Service in 1951 as was posted as a Royal Military Policeman to Kenya, returning to JCB two years later. He married his wife Jean in 1955 and the couple had four children.

On his return to JCB, Bill completed 10 years as welding foreman, five in research and then joined the service and spares department at Rocester as service engineer, later becoming Warranty and Final Inspection Manager. He was awarded the MBE for services to export in the New Year’s Honours List of 1975 and became Technical Services Director in 1981. Bill Retired in 1991. He was a staunch supporter of the Royal British Legion and served as President of the Uttoxeter branch in retirement.

Speaking on JCB’s 65^th anniversary in 2010, Bill said:

“I am proud to have been part of JCB – it’s been my life.”

Source: JCB

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