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The JCB GT

The JCB GT

What is the the fastest earthmover on the planet? Well, look no further than the amazing JCB GT which can reach speeds of over 115mph!

The JCB GT is a 1300hp ‘wheel-standin’ front-loadin’ beast of a Backhoe and it can blast down a quarter mile drag racing track in a blistering (for a backhoe, anyway) 17 seconds! A supercharged 572 big block Chevrolet V8 is responsible for hurling this monster down the racing track, and it sends all 1300 of its horses into those massive deep-tread tractor tyres. Propping the GT back on its wheelie bars appears adds to the drama of its displays and boy does this machine make some noise!

The original GT was built by JCB at the Staffordshire factory in the late 1980s, and appeared at a number of motor racing circuits like Brands Hatch and Silverstone. The current GT now makes regular appearances both in the UK and also motor racing drag strips in the USA. Recent UK appearances this year have included a showing at Chris Evan’s ‘Children In Need’ fund raising event ‘Carfest 2012’ at Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire. The GT also revved up the crowds at supermarket Asda’s charity day ‘On Your Marks’ at Bruntingthorpe in Leicestershire.

See the JCB GT in action!

‘The Story of JCB’

An amazing new Exhibition called ‘The story of JCB’ has now been opened at JCB World headquarters in Rocester Staffordshire.

The Permanent exhibition covers a total of 2500 Sqm and takes people through a series of ’14 Zones’ depicting the company’s incredible history. Starting in the 1820’s when the Bamford family were blacksmiths in Uttoxeter the exhibition leads through to the present day and JCB‘s latest earthmoving machines.

The centrepiece of the exhibition is a life size skeletal model of a JCB200 tracked excavator, built using steel rod and created by renowned artist Benedict Radcliffe. The jaw dropping artwork took 5 months to complete, used around one kilometre of steel rod and weighs around two tonnes - a tenth of the weight of the machine it represents!

The exhibition also covers sections on how the JCB name was built into a global brand, JCB military products and the development of the JCB engine and its record breaking Dieselmax Car.

A total of ten remarkable JCB machines are dotted throughout, which had to be specially craned through the roof as the exhibition took shape! They include one of the company’s first products- A hydraulic tipping trailer and a 1962 JCB 3 backhoe loader which has been fully restored. A lovely new JCB shop selling all sorts of JCB merchandise completes the exhibition space.

It is hoped that the ‘The story of JCB’ will inspire future generation of young engineers just like Mr JCB!

JCB goes into Top Gear with 'The Dig'

The real identity of 'The Stig, the racing driver on BBC's Top Gear show, has always been a closely kept secret. But there is no such mystery about 'The Dig'.
That's the nickname given to JCB Demonstrator Matt Lucas who thrilled crowds around the world by controlling a JCB 4CX Backhoe Loader in a series of breath-taking stunts on the 2009/10 Top Gear Live Tour.
Appearing in 3 shows in a day, Matt acted as a referee high up in the 4CX cab as a stunt driver, with stunning techniques. The Stig raced in terrifyingly close sequence underneath the Backhoe loader, in a Mad Max style 'Carmageddon'.
Matt used Backhoe Loaders, and using a special pack he sprayed each machine in military green paint that was easily peeled off after the event.
It wasn't long before the crew on the show called him The Dig because he made all his appearance in the JCB 4CX backhoe Digger. As well as appearing at London, Birmingham and Dublin, Matt 'The Dig' Lucas also spent 33 hectic days on tour in Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa, Sydney in Australia and Auckland, New Zealand.

Help For Heroes Digger

Last year, JCB produced a very special version of the 3CX ECO Backhoe Loader machine. The digger rolled off the production line, not in the usual Yellow and Black, but in bold Red, White & Blue Union Jack design!

The unique Union Jack JCB has since been put to very good use as it has helped to raise money for the Help For Heroes (H4H) charity. JCB decided to stage an online auction over a 2 week period in the run up to last Christmas and the 3CX was proudly displayed on a festive themed 200ft barge on the Thames opposite London's South Bank to draw attention to the company's fund raising efforts.

A winning bid of £70,250 was received by Fork Rent, one of JCB's biggest plant hire customers in the UK. The money received from the sale of the digger will be used by Help For Heroes in their work to help support servicemen and women wounded in conflicts around the world.

Fork Rent are determined to make even more money for the charity and will be taking their Union Jack digger around the UK this year to help dig up more donations!

If you would like to find out more about this special JCB or would like to donate to the charity, please visit: http://www.fork-rent.co.uk

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