JCB Loadall Construction Vs Agri Spec

[rossandson]

Pros and Cons to the construction/agri spec telehandlers. Opinions and experience welcomed also.

I’ve got a JCB 527-67 Farm Special, unfortunately didn’t buy such a good one and it wasn’t a new gearbox as it has the plastic clutch pack, so when it gets warm it sticks. Then I’m stuck in reverse usually until it cools down.

I’ve toyed with the idea of fixing it at the cost of probably £3k but also considering putting that money towards a newer one. Just weighing up my options really.

But some people say once you’ve had a agri version you won’t want to go back. Yes I’d quite like a rear pickup hitch but not essential and I’d like the bigger HP but does it warrant the cost for my usage, unsure.

 

[hiluxman]

Agri spec is standard loader controls for the boom up down and tilt. Construction is boom up and down and extend on the main control and tilt on a 2nd lever at the side.

If your using it for more than just lifting stuff with forks then agri spec is alot more comfortable to use.

 

[HuntingHicap]

Agri spec is standard loader controls for the boom up down and tilt. Construction is boom up and down and extend on the main control and tilt on a 2nd lever at the side.

If your using it for more than just lifting stuff with forks then agri spec is alot more comfortable to use.

Bit more than just that I think. We run 9m construction spec, they have the single joystick same as agri, but gearing, power, interior spec, tyres etc are all different to agri spec.

 

[JD450A]

Construction spec - basic.

Agris have bigger engines and generally as a result the gearing feels faster although I think it's generally the same.

Wastemaster spec is unbelievably good if you can find a tidy one. Generally got all the toys.

 

[DaveDCB]

They are completely different machines , if your doing a lot of loading work Agri or wastemaster is the way to go, but for moving pallets around and the odd bucket load of spoil etc save yourself a wedge and buy construction spec.
You can add a pickup hitch on a construction spec.. so don’t worry about that.

 

[rossandson]

Well had a volcano out of the trans dip stick today. Faulty oil cooler. Which has led to water mixing with the trans oil I believe. Which when gets hot it then sticks the gears. It’s drives perfect until it gets hot.

So going to see if I can divert this for now to test it. As I think I might get away without a gearbox. Speaking like I know what I’m doing but have zero idea. but willing to give it a try.

 

[ACEngineering]

Agri spec is standard loader controls for the boom up down and tilt. Construction is boom up and down and extend on the main control and tilt on a 2nd lever at the side.

If your using it for more than just lifting stuff with forks then agri spec is alot more comfortable to use.

The construction linkage controls can be swapped in a few minutes with no extra parts to normal agri.

 

[ACEngineering]

Well had a volcano out of the trans dip stick today. Faulty oil cooler. Which has led to water mixing with the trans oil I believe. Which when gets hot it then sticks the gears. It’s drives perfect until it gets hot.

So going to see if I can divert this for now to test it. As I think I might get away without a gearbox. Speaking like I know what I’m doing but have zero idea. but willing to give it a try.

it will still stick, the pistons have swollen and thats why they stick, bypassing the leaking oil cooler isnt going to stop that. It will need to be overhauled or you invest more money in another machine which could just as easy have its own set of problems unless you going to buy new with warranty which is probably not practical for a low use user.

 

[Scoff]

I’ve run 535-95s construction spec for the last 20 years,if your not tramping up and down the main roads they’re excellent yard machines,coming up 30k hrs on my current three,they’ve been very cheap to run.

 

[rossandson]

Well I’ve been using it recently more than I usually would for a bit here and there. Had no issues at all but obviously only been using it a little then it’s off and then it’s back on for the next task so never getting warm.

So am considering the DIY attempt of bypassing the oil cooler and putting a separate one in. As it might work for my needs and save me over £3k from not putting in a new recon gearbox. But still undecided.

 

[Bri963]

Well I’ve been using it recently more than I usually would for a bit here and there. Had no issues at all but obviously only been using it a little then it’s off and then it’s back on for the next task so never getting warm.

So am considering the DIY attempt of bypassing the oil cooler and putting a separate one in. As it might work for my needs and save me over £3k from not putting in a new recon gearbox. But still undecided.

Why not just get a new cooler? Another question, do you have the right oil in there, and has it bee changed regularly? It’s usually this sort of thing that bites us up the arse If not kept on top of.

 

[Regy53]

better controls
more power
better pumps
higher top speed
single joystick
increased lift
pick up hitch
different tyres
air con
aux pipework
usually double the price

 

[rossandson]

Why not just get a new cooler? Another question, do you have the right oil in there, and has it bee changed regularly? It’s usually this sort of thing that bites us up the arse If not kept on top of.

Yes I have considered this. But also want to try it without the oil cooler to rule that out completely as this is a known part to fail.

 

[Scoff]

better controls
more power
better pumps
higher top speed
single joystick
increased lift
pick up hitch
different tyres
air con
aux pipework
usually double the price

One of the great things about the controls on construction spec is the simplicity of being direct onto the spool block,certainly as they get older there’s nothing to go wrong,lift capacity and tip geometry is the same across both construction and ag machines (with Jcb,isn’t with Manipoo though) I simply can’t drive a loadall with the top door closed so air con is a waste for me,all Jcb construction spec come with a third service/aux pipe work.

 

[CPS]

Yes I have considered this. But also want to try it without the oil cooler to rule that out completely as this is a known part to fail.

£90 stick it on it

 

[rossandson]

£90 stick it on it

Yes they are. Thought for piece of mind divert it and see. But you lot are probably right. Just stick one on. Wonder if by putting an additional oil cooler on it as well will help keep the oil even cooler.

Just don’t want to be in this position again with water in the oil. So thought by bypassing it would solve that issue:

Another note, got a lot of play in my joystick! Would it just be bushes? (Can’t post a video)

 

[Bri963]

Yes I have considered this. But also want to try it without the oil cooler to rule that out completely as this is a known part to fail.

Can’t think of another route for water into oil, so you might as well go for it. Keep your coolant strength correct as well.

 

[rossandson]

Can’t think of another route for water into oil, so you might as well go for it. Keep your coolant strength correct as well.

True enough.

What’s the correct strength out of curiosity?

 

[Bri963]

Don’t know for JCB, but Cat recommend 50% all year round, largely for corrosion resistance.

 

[V8Druid]

Don’t know for JCB, but Cat recommend 50% all year round, largely for corrosion resistance.

yep, have run 50% in everything water cooled that I own for decades - ever since the very early '80,s, when we had a cold spell that gelled/semi froze 30% (which was the recommendation at the time)