Old JCB Loader Ready to Serve Another Day

Had a tip-off from my old mate Gary Down, telling me that there was a classic old JCB loading shovel parked up in the yard at M&M Plant Sales our local Case Construction Equipment dealers down here in the South West, naturally I was keen to go and take a look for the blog.

During the early 1970’s JCB produced the 400 series of articulated wheeled loading shovels, which would replace the old Chaseside design on the previous models, which were of rigid chassis with steering wheels.

They were quite radical in design with the cab mounted on the front articulation section, offering improved operator visibility down to the bucket, while the engine was located in the rear section well away from the cab. Four models were produced, starting with the 413, and 418, in 1974 these were joined by the larger 423 and 428 models.

By the mid-1980’s the company was launching new models with a much more-square look to them, these 410 models, which tipped the scales at 7-tonnes was the smallest of them. This particular example has spent much of its life working in a quarry in way down in Cornwall, during which time it has amassed 21,199 working hours on the meter.

This venerable old machine has served its time well, and was only just recently traded in as a part-exchange on a new Case loading shovel. Taking everything into account, when you consider its age, the old girl is in great condition and I’m sure she will go on the serve its new owner well on lighter duties.

The machine is equipped with a 54kw Perkins diesel engine and has a quick coupler, for attaching its 4-in-1 bucket or pallet forks, everything is described as in good condition including the transmission, but apparently the brakes are poor and will require attention.

These machines were extremely popular with the British Army back in the day. Known in its military guise as the 410M-1C, and featuring a lower cab profile, they purchased over 700 of them

Here’s a walk-around video of the machine.

Checkout this film produced by JCB to celebrate 50 years of wheeled loader production back in 2019, where some examples of this model are seen in the early stages of the video.

I would like to thank Mark Gregory of M&M Plant Sales for accepting my strange request to take photos of this veteran piece of kit.