New look for the Terex TLB890 backhoe loader

The machine has a heritage that stretches back to the old Massey Ferguson 50B loader, which was a popular tool on many farms.

White is the Terex corporate colour but the firm recognises the importance of being available in yellow. Perhaps it’s the heritage connection to the farming community through the industrial yellow of Massey Ferguson.

Apart from the loader arm, it is a completely new machine, according to Terex.

“The biggest change is to the cab which is bigger, brighter and everything has been changed inside it,” said Peter Barfield of Terex.

There are three positions in which the pilot controls can be operated and locked/unlocked by a pedal on the floor. In the normal and middle position, to operate, a button on the rear of each joystick has to be pressed once to activate the controls.

For deep digging, the controls can be placed rearwards allowing the operator to peer out through the cab and look into the trench/hole. In this position, the activation buttons have to be pressed constantly to operate the controls, so if an operator is hanging out of the rear window and loses his balance, the digger arm goes dead on releasing the joystick(s). To accommodate different digger drivers, the operating pattern can be changed between SAE and ISO at the flick of a switch.

One of the most noticeable changes has been to the rear digging arm, which is now banana-shaped rather than straight.

Terex claims that it provides extra clearance for reaching over obstacles and loading trucks, which can be positioned much closer to the machine.

Bucket tear-out force has been increased by up to 30% and dipper stick force by 6%, claims Peter Barfield.

The firm says that the new slew post gives a 72% increase in slew torque, which improves trench backfilling and levelling. Hydraulic hoses all feature easy-to-access joiners close to the pivot of the arm.

Automatic end of stroke cushioning is incorporated in the boom and slew cylinders. This acts like a shock absorber, according to Peter, and ensures smooth operation. It prevents bucket spillage and protects the cylinders from overload.

Two auxiliary circuits are available to power either single or double-acting attachments, such as rock breakers and earth augers.

A thumb switch operates the auxiliary circuit on pilot controls, with a foot pedal control on the mechanical version.

All Terex TLB890 backhoe loaders incorporate a boom and slew lock, which is applied without leaving the seat by simply pressing a switch. The locks can be applied with the backhoe locked in any of the three transport positions – left, right or straight behind.

There are two hydraulic system options of tandem gear pumps, or a variable displacement piston pump for improved fuel economy. Both hydraulic systems incorporate closed centre, flow sharing control valves.

There is a choice of mechanical controls (tandem gear pumps) and pilot controls (variable flow piston pump). The mechanical controls are available with either SAE or ISO. The operator can select between single or dual pump operation, depending on the application.

The loader arm at the front is manufactured from a U-section design, using an 8mm steel plate. The arms incorporate steel forged pivots at either end, to extend pin and bushing life.

The single bucket cylinder is retained to reduce the number of maintenance points and improved visibility down the loader arms.

The rated operating capacity of the loader with a seven-in-one bucket is over 3,100kg and loading height is 3.6m. The bucket cylinder also incorporates end-of-stroke cushioning and return to dig function can also be selected.

The Terex TLB890 is powered by a turbocharged and intercooled Perkins Tier3 engine, which develops 100hp. Transmission options include a choice of four-speed synchro shuttle gearbox, or four-speed servo power synchro with automatic shifting.

A heavy-duty rear axle incorporates outbound planetary reduction units, and outboard wet disc brakes for easier servicing.

Larger brake discs with Kevlar friction linings are now used to ensure durability and long life.

The front axle uses a larger diameter steering cylinder mounted behind the axle for protection with power integrated track rods to reduce steering effort.

Driving impression

Visitors to Irish importers Crowleys in Cork got a chance to try out the new Terex TLB890s in either mechanical or higher specification pilot control.

While not a proper digger driver by any stretch of the imagination, that did not stop me from trying out the high spec demo version with pilot controls.

Inside the cab, there was lots of room even for me; slewing the seat rearwards wasn’t bad. My size 12s got through without too much jigging.

The pilot controls were nice to use and end-of-stroke cushioning on the slew and main arm rams helped in not making a complete botch job of loading a dump trailer beside the digger. The bucket ram didn’t benefit from cushioning, so this novice had to take a bit more care.

Visibility rearwards and sidewards to load the dump trailer was excellent. Hydraulics on our machine with variable displacement piston pump seemed very fast.

In loader mode, there was plenty of engine power to dig into a clay bank at Crowleys. The 100hp Perkins engine and Carraro transmission seemed more than capable for high torque tear-out.

While we didn’t get to bring it for a drive on the road, selecting a high gear in the yard demonstrated the automatic aspect of the powershift transmission. It would automatically start in a lower gear so as not to labour either the engine or transmission, changing up to the selected gear as speed built up.

A button on the loader joystick changed down a gear when loading at the clay bank in Crowleys.

For daily checks/servicing, fluid levels were readily accessible (including transmission) with the bonnet up. There is lots of room under the hood. This is to allow for the addition of a DPF (diesel particulate filter) when the Terex TLB890 is emissionised. The front casting is practical, with its rubber buffers saving the front end from damage while loading, but it definitely won’t win any styling awards.

Prices start at €60,000, plus VAT, for the basic entry level machine, according to Kevin Mackey of MP Crowley’s. This increases depending on options specified such as power-shift transmission, check valves, pilot controls, air conditioning or different tyres.