Based just outside the town of Rathkeale, Co Limerick, Pat Daly runs a beef finishing enterprise. Skid steer loaders have been Pat’s machine of choice for almost 20 years now, given their compact and manoeuvrable form factor.

Before deciding to go down the route of a skid steer, Pat initially looked into the option of a telehandler, but felt the compact size of a skid steer suited his farmyard layout better.

“The fact the skid steer could pretty much turn on its own dimensions was a major benefit over a telehandler. Once it could handle silage bales at ease I knew it would be the ideal machine for feeding or cleaning out straw bedded sheds. A telehandler would have left me with a lot more reversing in and out of sheds and feed passages, whereas the skid steer could turn on the spot and drive out of any situation, Pat said.

Why JCB?

One brand in particular stood out to Pat from the outset given its unique design over other skid steers on the market. This was JCB, with its single boom design which leaves the cab accessed from the side as opposed to the front, which is the case with most typical twin arm skid steers.

“The most obvious benefit with the JCB I found was the fact it was side entry. Access was much easier and safer. At the time when I was buying the first JCB, it was working out more expensive in comparison to some of the other manufacturers for a similar spec machine, but it suited me better.” Pat opted for the JCB then and hasn’t moved away since.

In December 2017, Pat purchased his third and current JCB skid steer, having upgraded his 50hp 170 model for the larger 74hp 300 Eco High Flow model.

“The 170 model was slightly larger than what it replaced at the time, which was the case again when it came to trading it for the 300. I felt that going down the route of a slightly larger and heavier machine was a good call. It’s nice to have that bit of extra power and weight for feeding bales and bucket work,” Pat said.

Engine and hydraulics

The 300 model is JCB’s largest non-telescopic wheeled skid steer loader in the range. It is fitted with the firm’s own EcoMax 4.4l four-cylinder turbo diesel engine, which has a healthy 74hp (55kW) on tap. Its cooling pack is mounted above the engine, which pulls clean air downwards and so forces warm air out through the rear and to the sides of the machine.

The 300 is fitted as standard with two hydraulic pumps – one powering the wheel’s drive motors and the second, which is a variable displacement piston pump, powering the loader and its attachments (auxiliary) hydraulics.

As standard the 300 is fitted with a 90l/min (230bar) auxiliary pump. However, Pat’s machine is equipped with the optional high-flow 125l/min (230bar) hydraulic pump. He noted how hydraulics are very fast.

Along with the high-flow pump Pat opted for the optional two-speed transmission, which increases the skid steer’s top speed from 10.9km/h to 20km/h once the second range is selected. Range one (0-10.9km/h) is all that’s used in the yard but the second range leaves it more versatile to go beyond the farmyard, Pat said. He now uses the skid steer and bale handler to draw in and stack silage bales from fields during the summer.

Pat’s machine is fitted with 12x16.5 tyres, which he noted tend to last in the region of one year. He has considered fitting the machine with harder-wearing tyres, but explained how the added cost of doing so balances out the extended lifespan.

Cab and accessibility

The JCB 300 is fitted with a full-spec pressurised cab, which includes a heater and a radio. Although air con is available, Pat said that the loader generally isn’t in use as much during hot summer weather, as cattle tend to be out grazing, therefore he saw little need for it.

The two servo joysticks are built on to the seat’s armrests, which provide good arm and wrist support. Joystick sensitivity can be adjusted through three settings from the control panel depending on the operator and the intended application.

The control panel is located at eye level in the front right-hand corner, which includes the ignition switch, electric parking brake and hand throttle, along with temperature gauges and a fuel gauge.

Pat said that the fuel gauge doesn’t always seem to read accurately, that its needle can move suddenly at times. There is also a foot throttle located in the foot well. Lighting is one area Pat feels could have been improved with the fitting of LED lights from factory.

He explained that there was a dark spot in between the two front work lights, which he cured himself with two additional LED spotlights. Overall, cab comfort and visibility from the driver seat is a standout feature for Pat.

Accessibility is another aspect he likes about the machine. Not only is the cab easily accessed for operation purposes, but maintenance purposes too. The hinged cab can easily tilt forward in minutes for maintenance.

The diesel tank is well positioned and easily located from ground level. The large rear door allows good access to the engine for service purposes, with filters and the battery isolator switch all easily accessed.

Pat pointed out that the rear door latch could be of better quality, noting that it has opened a few times during operation.

He has since taken a practical approach and fitted it with a simple sprung bolt.

Verdict

Three years into ownership of the JCB 300 and a good previous record with JCB skid steers, Pat is happy with how the machine has performed, having had little or no issues. “Regular maintenance is important, as with any machine. Whenever it has needed a service, it’s got it. The life of a loader really is regular greasing of pins and pivot points. An auto-greaser to lubricate the main pivot points would have been an option I’d have gone for if it had have been available.

“Upgrading to the larger model this time was a good move. Even though it’s doing the same jobs, it’s more at ease in doing so given the added weight and power. Having initially bought the JCB mainly for its side entry design, I don’t think I’d move away from it at this point. I can’t pick any faults in comfort or performance. The only fault I did find was early on and that was the price of the machine new,” Pat laughed.

Likes ?

  • Accessibility.
  • Comfort.
  • Performance.
  • Dislikes ?

  • Standard lighting package.
  • Rear door latch.
  • Fuel gauge has been temperamental.
  • Spec

  • Engine: 4.4l four-cylinder JCB EcoMax.
  • Horsepower: 74hp (55kW).
  • Transmission: Hydrostatic pump with left and right chain cases.
  • Travel Speed: 0-10.9km/h (gear 1) 0-20km/h (gear 2).
  • Hydraulics: 90l/min (125l/min optional).
  • Operating weight: 4,213kg.
  • Height to bucket hinge pin: 3.2m.
  • Rated operating capacity: 1,445kg.
  • Fuel tank capacity: 103l.
  • Starting price: €65,000 plus VAT.