SAVANNAH, GA — JCB, the world’s largest privately owned producer of construction machinery, continues its long standing relationship of supplying the U.S. Air  Force with essential wheel loaders. The ongoing relationship has resulted in 92 JCB wheel loaders in the 100 and 165 hp range shipped to date in 2009, and more than 250 units contracted during the past five years.
  “We are proud to continue meeting the stringent U.S. military requirements for strength and durability with our machines,” said chief executive officer John Patterson. “We are currently supplying the U.S. Army with the 800 high mobility engineer excavators in addition to the wheel loaders that are being supplied to the U.S. Air Force. Earning our stripes with the U.S. Military is a testament to the quality of our machines, and we look forward to continuing this relationship.”
  Used for base maintenance and to clear runways for B-52s in the U.S., the 416HT (100 hp) and the 426HT (165 hp) will actively serve a wide variety of applications overseas. Louie Wright, a JCB government dealer added that JCB has a long standing relationship with the U.S. Air  Force and many other divisions of the military supplying JCB wheel loaders, backhoe loaders and many other types of JCB machinery.
  Wright mentioned that the U.S. Air Force will utilize these units in the U.S., as well as deployed overseas in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf. The 416HT and 426HT wheel loaders continue to meet a military demand in the marketplace as JCB has averaged 20 shipped units per month in 2009.
  The JCB 416HT is a high bucket torque wheeled loader with a JCB Diesel Max engine that produces 121 hp net. The 426HT features a Cummins QSB63.7 engine and produces 152 hp. Coupled with a semiautomatic transmission that generates class leading performance, both the 416HT and the 426HT are highly fuel efficient.
  Additionally, both the 416HT and the 426HT offer optional limited slip differentials on the front and rear tires which increases traction in poor conditions. These machines also offer an optional smooth ride system which reduces machine bounce, increases productive capacity and improves operator comfort during load and carry cycles.
  Ergonomically designed to eliminate operator fatigue, the 416HT and 426HT have fully adjustable seats and steering columns for greater comfort. The cabs are pressurized with positive filtration to keep the air clean and available air conditioning helps maintain a dust free and comfortable environment.
  Additional features include load sensed hydraulics which reduce wear and minimize fuel consumption by delivering oil only on demand. The steering cylinders on both machines are mounted high on the main frame for greater protection against the elements. An available factory installed auto greasing system protects the machines in even the most extreme applications, which is well suited for military use.
  As the third largest heavy equipment manufacturer in the world, JCB’s North American headquarters are in Savannah, GA, with an extensive network of dealers located throughout the U.S. and Canada.
  For more information about JCB’s industry leading equipment for the construction, agriculture, industrial and waste/recycling markets or to find a dealer near you, call JCB’s North American Headquarters at 912-447-2000 or visit www.jcbna.com.
  JCB has 18 manufacturing plants on four continents: 11 in the U.K., three in India and others in the U.S., China, Germany and Brazil. JCB celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2005. JCB is privately owned by the Bamford family and the chairman, Sir Anthony Bamford, is son of the company’s late founder, Joseph Cyril Bamford.
  The company manufactures more than 300 different machines including: backhoe loaders, Loadall telescopic handlers, tracked and wheeled excavators, wheel loaders, articulated dump trucks, rough terrain fork lifts, mini excavators, skid steers loaders, JCB Vibromax compaction equipment, generators and Groundcare equipment. In addition, for agricultural markets, the company produces a range of telescopic handlers and the unique Fastrac Tractor. JCB also manufactures the Teletruk Forklift for the industrial sector.
  In 2005, JCB secured one of the largest orders in its history when it won a $290 million deal to supply the U.S. Government with high mobility engineer  excavators (HMEEs). Full scale production of the HMEE is now underway at JCB’s plant in Savannah, GA. The HMEE fulfills a need from the military for rapid deployment high mobility products. To further meet these requirements, JCB has also developed a range of other high mobility products from the high mobility Fastrac tractor, through to the high mobility rough terrain forklift and the high mobility utility vehicle.
  JCB has won more than 50 major awards for engineering excellence, exports, design, marketing, management and for its care for the environment. Among them are 21 Queen’s Awards for Technology and Export Achievement.
  For further information, contact Karen Guinn, communications manager, JCB, Inc. Call 912-447-2033 or e-mail karen.guinn@jcb.com.