JCB to Develop Diesel Engines

JCB, one of the world's largest manufacturers of construction equipment, has confirmed that it plans to develop its own 4 and 6 liter diesel engines.

Using JCB's construction equipment expertise, the engine is being developed in close partnership with engine specialists Ricardo, AVL, Cosworth and Krause. The JCB engine is being specifically designed for the off-highway equipment sector.

Sir Anthony Bamford, JCB Chairman and Managing Director, says: "The JCB engine will give higher performance than existing engines and also comply with future worldwide emission requirements. The engine, when manufactured, will enable JCB to supply the best possible power train package for its customers."

The JCB Engine Development Team is located at an existing JCB factory in Staffordshire.

For the foreseeable future, JCB will continue to source 1, 1.5 and 2 liter engines from Perkins.

JCB Inc. is the North American subsidiary of JC Bamford Excavators Ltd., one of the top five construction equipment manufacturers in the world. JCB markets a wide range of construction equipment in North America, including backhoe loaders, wheel loader/tool carriers, Loadall telescopic handlers, rough-terrain forklifts, Robot skid steer loaders, hydraulic tracked excavators and articulated dump trucks. In January 2000, JCB's first "Made in the USA" backhoe loader was built at the company's new 500,000 square foot North American headquarters and manufacturing facility in Savannah, Ga.

For more information about JCB or to contact your local dealer, call 1-888-PICK JCB (1-888-742-5522) or visit the JCB website at www.jcb.com.