JCB previews world first Teleskid

Heavy equipment manufacturer JCB has unveiled a unique machine it has dubbed the 'Teleskid' – a skid steer and compact track loader with a telescopic boom.

According to JCB, the Teleskid has a forward reach of 2.4m, which the company says is 60 per cent further than other skid steers on the market. It also claims the Teleskid is the only skid steer in the world that can dig below its chassis to a depth of around one metre, and can reach eight per cent higher than any other skid steer.

It made its official debut at the Conexpo trade show in Las Vegas in March 2017.

JCB Chief Innovation and Growth Officer, Tim Burnhope, says the Teleskid is essentially four machines in one.

"The JCB Teleskid can do the work of four machines - a telescopic handler, masted forklift, compact loader and a skid steer, all in one easily-serviced machine," he says.

"The telescopic boom will allow operators to load trucks without a ramp, reach over kerbing and dig below ground, all with clear visibility of the attachment."

Another key feature of the Teleskid, according to JCB, is its ability to combine both vertical and radial lift capabilities. A unique bucket-positioning levelling system allows the bucket level to be set and maintained throughout the boom’s range of movement.

The Teleskid comes with a fully enclosed cab that JCB says is 33 per cent larger than industry average. JCB’s myCHOICE software is a standard feature, which allows control responsiveness and joystick sensitivity to be tailored to suit operator preferences.

A Tier 4 Final/Stage IIIB emissions standards compliant, 74hp JCB Ecomax engine powers the Teleskid, and provides high torque at a low RPM.

Tracked and wheeled Teleskid models will be sold in North America, while European markets will be offered the wheeled variant which is most popular in that region.

There is no word yet on whether the machine will arrive on Australian shores, and when.