JCB, based in the U.K., has given its 4000 and 8000 series Fastrac tractors a high-tech makeover for 2023. Last August, the company pulled the wraps off of the new iCon Fastrac models. Basically, the Fastrac tractors get improvements in three key areas. The iConfigure aspect creates a customizable operator control arrangement. iConnect ups the precision farming capabilities of the tractors and iControl provides new driveline control software.
“Creating a fully customizable experience was a top priority for JCB with the Fastrac iCon,” says Shane Coates, vice-president of agricultural sales for JCB. “In addition, our engineering team worked hard to integrate electronics technology such as ISOBUS and GPS guidance along with refining the driving comfort the Fastrac offers. At the same time, we wanted operators to have a familiar experience in terms of the controls and information displays to ensure existing users can quickly adapt to the new system.”
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The seat-mounted iCon armrest, with a 12-inch colour touch screen monitor, which can be positioned in front of the controls or moved to the side to allow for the best visibility out of the windshield, is the heart of the iCon system, and it allows for integrated control of all of the iCon features.
It gets a new main joystick, assignable RGB LED colour-coded switches giving proportional control of electrically operated spool valves, PTO and hitch controls, an auxiliary joystick, and hard keys plus a display navigation dial for an alternative to using the touch screen.
The display screen includes a virtual ISOBUS universal terminal screen. And a new headland management system allows for storing up to 50 individual sequences with up to 50 steps in each one.
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The new Smart Transmission Control lets the operator set a desired ground speed and have the tractor’s management system set gear and power levels to maintain it. When using the joystick to control speed and direction, operators have two input modes to choose from. The first is the classic JCB format of pushing the lever forward or backward to set direction of travel and speed. Or operators can select the JCB Pro mode, which allows for speed control by pushing the lever forward or backward and direction control by moving the lever left or right for forward or reverse.
There is also a thumb-roller control for very fine speed adjustments.
The new electronics infrastructure also allows for optional ISOBUS control of rear- and front-mounted implements using a common graphics interface on the 12-inch touch screen, with the auxiliary joystick allowing for other implement control functions.
The Fastracs can come ready to connect to any aftermarket GPS guidance system.
The cab interior has been given a refresh as well. A new heated and cooled operator seat, more storage compartments and improved connections and charging ports for mobile devices round out the updates.
