Technology has been transforming the way Machine-to-Machine and Machine-to-Customer business is being done.

– Deepak Shetty

CEO & Managing Director, JCB India

What is the current market for Telehandlers in India?

As the Indian market matures, Global best practices are making their way into the Indian Material Handling Industry. There is an increased focus on Productivity and Safety on work sites which presents us with the opportunity of introducing Solutions with the latest and state-of-the-art technology in India. The demand for safe and reliable material handling products is fast growing across a wide spectrum of applications in India.

Telehandlers are gaining popularity and are today being used in industries like Agro Logistics, RMC plants and Ceramics for Hopper Loading. In the Construction and Infrastructure sector, Telehandlers are used for horizontal and vertical movement of prefabricated components and aggregate material. 

What are the various product offerings from your company in this segment? What are its USPs?

JCB has been manufacturing Telehandlers globally since 1977. It is today, the world’s leading manufacturer of these machines. In India, JCB offers a range from 7 meters to 20 meters Lift height. With a wide range of attachments customised for specific applications in various industries, they come with an all-new global side engine design to enhance all-around higher visibility, reliability, safety and comfort while delivering high productivity at the worksite.

 JCB India currently offers three variants of the Telehandler – the Made in India 530-70 and 530-110, and additionally, we have a 17m machine which is the 540-170 for high lift and reach applications, which is imported from the UK.

 A few of the key benefits offered by JCB Telehandler are as follows :-

Global Side Engine Design: JCB Telehandler comes with Global Side Engine Design with Hi-Viz low boom mounting ensuring high visibility all around, thus enhancing site safety. Engine installation makes it easy for ground-level service and safe access. It’s robust chassis offers high structural life and Single Lifting Ram provides uniform lifting force on the boom.

Safety and Comfort: The machine provides customers unmatched safety and comfort. The Cabin of the machine has an air-conditioner available as a standard feature for operator comfort and helps in increasing productivity. The cabin is also fitted with Rolling Over Protection System and Falling Over Protection System that enhances the operator safety. It has an Integral Lateral Load Moment Indicator to warn the operator in case the load exceeds the limits and has a stabiliser cut-off for safe working operation. Smooth and Ergonomically installed control levers provide low effort and are responsive for total control and precise load placement at required reach or height.

Superior Design: The machine comes with a legendary ‘U’ shaped boom and a single closing plate welds to reduce joints and stress points. It has boom overlapping for the structural rigidity of the boom. Hydraulic extension rams with no chains are suited for heavy-duty bucket arduous bucket applications. These world-class aggregates help JCB Telehandlers deliver inherent reliability of the equipment.

 These machines come with a variety of attachments which makes them versatile. The widely used attachments are a Shovel, Heavy Duty Forks, Grabs, Unloading Rake, Crane Hook – Fork Mounted, Jib Crane, Grain Bucket, Cotton Bucket, Power Grab, Man Platform and Drum Handlers etc.

Along with quality and durability, another key factor in maximising machine uptime is easy serviceability. With a side engine design, all checks are quick, simple and safe to carry out from ground level and most service intervals, including boom lubrication.

The lifting capacity of 3000kg, long reach and impressive lift height (7 metres to 20 metres) in JCB Telehandler are complemented by a wide range of attachments (over 40) which makes these machines the first choice of machines in the construction and infrastructure domain.

What are the major changes taking place in terms of technology?

JCB India has pioneered the integration of digital technology in its range of machines through advanced Telematics called ‘LiveLink’. JCB machines work in off-road and often remote locations and LiveLink helps in remote monitoring and fleet management on the key parameters of Service, Operations and Security of equipment.

LiveLink now helps over 1,80,000 JCB machines communicate in real-time on machine location, operations, performance, downtime, service alerts and security. The technology enables better site management and equipment utilisation, thereby improving operational efficiency and cost-saving. Geo-fencing and Time-fencing have enhanced the security of these machines.

Technology has been transforming the way Machine-to-Machine and Machine-to- Customer business is being done. All vital information about the machine is available to customers on their mobile devices through a web browser or also through the ‘LiveLink’ mobile application. Additionally, the system also sends out alert SMSs to registered mobile numbers.

LiveLink benefits customers in better fleet and fuel management by enabling remote monitoring and management of their machines. It incorporates GPS, Telecommunications, Machine Electronics and IoT, enabling the equipment to remain in contact with the owner, dealer and JCB. 

How do you look at the future market for telehandlers in India?

Infrastructure development and the economy are interlinked and directly impact one another. We feel that the opportunities for our industry will significantly open as the Pandemic subsides and lives start to return to normal. The recently announced Gati-Shakti Programme integrated all Infrastructure activity in real time. This will be a game changer as it will promote greater cohesion between different department.

Two key sectors are set to emerge in the coming years – the first being Infrastructure development in Rural India and the other will be the creation of world-class healthcare infrastructure across the country. Schools, colleges, industries will need to be created and segments like municipal waste, village roads, rural infra are set to grow.

A significant capital allocation, of up to 111 lakh crore, in the NIP for roads and highways, railways, ports, airports, waterways, rural and urban infrastructure has been announced. Most importantly healthcare infrastructure will get the required focus. These projects not only demand the best quality output but will also require work to be done on tight timelines thus, creating a need for specialised, intelligent and technologically advanced construction equipment.

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