JCB is celebrating 25 years production of the unique Fastrac tractor range.
JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford struck on the idea of manufacturing an unconventional tractor in 1984 - a tractor with high road speed and capable of field work, including heavy draft applications.
Since the first prototype in 1987 the Fastrac design has developed considerably.
The tractor brought together established technologies and components and offered ride comfort due to the suspension incorporated in both axles and shattered the myth that suspension and ploughing was an impossible combination.
The design was developed and unveiled to the media and the public in 1990 ahead of production in 1991.
Apart from being the first high-draft agricultural tractor with all round suspension and speeds up to 75 kilometres an hour, the Fastrac has been the first to feature truck-standard disc brakes, multi-mode four-wheel steering, an anti-lock braking system (ABS) and self-levelling suspension.
It is the only tractor to combine those features with an electronically managed continuously variable transmission.
The Selectronic transmission, with two-speed powershift, was introduced two years after the 125 (88 kilowatt) and 145 Turbo (102kW) were launched in 1991.
It doubled the number of working speeds available and brought a pre-select system for easy range and shuttle shifting.
The new Fastrac acquired more power with the addition of the 110kW Fastrac 155 in 1993 and the 125kW Fastrac 185.
In 1995, JCB pulled another surprise with the Fastrac 1115 – a smaller, lighter, more nimble tractor with a top speed restricted to 50 km/h so it could run on standard rather than high-speed rated tyres.
It was joined later that year by a 100kW turbo-engined version.
Engineers then devising multi-mode four-wheel steering systems for Loadall telescopic handlers by producing the Quadtronic system for the Fastrac 1115 and 1135.
This set-up trimmed the tractors’ turning circle by up to 25 per cent and it remains a standard feature of today’s 4000 Series.
Operators can select two-wheel steer for the road, delay rear axle steering when turning out of tramlines and row crops, or use True Tracking to keep the rear wheels following the fronts.
Circle steering gives the tightest turns and the tractors can even crab steer to counter slopes or spread their weight over four wheelings.
A more powerful, longer wheelbase model – the 108kW 2150 – joined the ‘small Fastrac’ range when the 1998 lineup was given a significant upgrade with new engines and the Autoshift 54x18 speed transmission.
Introduced in the new two-model ‘large Fastrac’ 3000 Series at the same time, this transmission’s automatic three-speed powershift provided field and road modes for timely shifts under different circumstances.
The Smoothshift wet clutch transmission provided an operational and durability upgrade for all Fastrac tractors in 2000, and the following year, JCB’s unique anti-lock braking system (ABS) brought new levels of safety and security.
JCB entered new tractor market sectors with the 184kW Fastrac 8250 in 2005 and the 130kW to 200kW Fastrac 7000 Series in 2008.
The former introduced CVT drive to the Fastrac range while the latter heralded JCB’s own P-Tronic 24x9 speed semi-powershift transmission, which was installed in the Fastrac 3000 Xtra models from 2011.
A two-model 8000 Series and new levels of performance were established the same year with the introduction of the Fastrac 3210.
This newcomer took the Fastrac range beyond 220kW (300hp) for the first time and featured a new engine, electronic power modulating traction control and new control features for the V-Tronic stepless transmission.
Agritechnica 2013 saw the current 4000 Series tractor previewed.
With three power outputs from 129kW to 173kW, a CVT transmission, self-levelling suspension front and rear, multi-mode four-wheel steering, sophisticated hydraulics and a mid-mounted cab offering best-ever space and all-round visibility, the newcomer is the most advanced Fastrac ever.
Its potential for modification to suit specialist applications has also been recognised, with extended chassis Fastracs built for spraying and lime/fertiliser spreading, including six-wheel versions.
But the most highly modified Fastrac is used by the US Army.
It features a hydraulic loader and backhoe, can travel at speed in convoys and can be stowed in a Hercules C-130 transport aircraft.
The Fastrac has also enjoyed moments of fame; it is the only tractor to have featured
twice on the BBC Top Gear program – at the original launch and when The Stig set a time of 2 minutes 57 seconds on the airfield test track.
And it’s the only tractor to have launched a world record attempt.
In 2006, a Fastrac 8250 capable of 105 km/h got the high-geared JCB Dieselmax underway during the start-up procedure for its successful attempt on the diesel land speed record.
