As construction sites continue to prioritise safety and efficiency, JCB has redefined the traditional skid steer design with innovative engineering that enhances visibility, comfort, and overall site safety.
Commonly used in construction and infrastructure projects for their agility and power, skid steer loaders are capable of performing a wide variety of tasks.
As with all machinery, safety remains paramount for operators purchasing machines and for equipment manufacturers like JCB CEA.
A significant proportion of on-site injuries involving skid steers stem from one design feature, the way operators enter and exit the cab.
Recognising this long-standing issue, JCB has reimagined the conventional skid steer with its side-entry Powerboom design. This is a configuration that not only enhances operator comfort and visibility of the working environment but, more importantly, eliminates several of the most common crush and slip hazards associated with traditional models.
In most skid steers, operators must climb over attachments and lift their arms to reach the cab, a process that has been linked to serious safety incidents. This area, known for its high potential for pinning or crushing injuries, has been one of the industry’s most persistent safety challenges.
Phil Withell, Project Lead for JCB CEA, says the key feature of JCB’s Skid Steer Loader prevents operator injuries.
“The standout feature of the side entry machine allows the operator to enter and exit the cab without having to climb over large attachments or under an unsupported boom,” he says. “Traditional front-entry skid steers require the operator to enter and exit through the front area, near the moving lift arms and bucket, an area known for pinning or crushing incidents.
“The side-entry system completely bypasses this hazardous zone.”
Withell says most importantly, the boom position does not dictate when an operator can exit the cab.
On conventional skid steers, the operator’s exit from the cab is restricted when the two-arm boom is elevated, in some cases requiring the attachment to be removed before they can exit.
Withell says common incidents that occur from front entry machines include crushing or shearing injuries.
“JCB’s design aligns with Work Health and Safety guidelines, eliminating the need for the operator to climb under or over the active work zone,” he says.
“Even if administrative controls fail, the JCB design inherently makes entry and exit safer as the side door is completely outside the boom’s operational path.”
By moving the point of access to the side of the machine, JCB’s engineers have removed the need for operators to step into the high-risk operational zone, a small change with enormous implications for workplace safety.
This design is more than a comfort feature, it represents a major shift in how equipment manufacturers can engineer out hazards rather than simply manage them with administrative controls or operator training.
Safety all-rounder
The single Powerboom design provides 270-degree visibility around the machine, compared to a more restricted view of conventional twin-arm designs.
This near-panoramic visibility gives operators a clearer view of their attachments, surrounding workers, and other machinery.
“Maximising these sightlines minimises the need for risky manoeuvres or reliance on guesswork, ultimately providing the operator with the essential information needed to safely and efficiently navigate the site and prevent accidents,” says Withell.
He adds that the machine can also provide peace of mind in emergency situations, with a large front windshield emergency exit.
“This is more accessible than the small rear window emergency exits found on conventional twin-arm machines where other brands require the operator to escape over the hot engine cover or radiator assemblies” he says. “This provides a faster and safer escape route.”
Withell says safety isn’t solely about preventing mechanical hazards, it’s also about reducing fatigue, discomfort, and distraction.
“JCB’s single-arm Powerboom design has given us the freedom to create a larger, more comfortable cab, something operators will appreciate over long shifts,” he says.
“The single-arm design is integral to the side-entry system, allowing for a fundamentally different cab structure that prioritises space and comfort.”
Withell says the side entry means a JCB Skid Steer operator does not have to rotate his torso 180 degrees to be seated behind the machines intuitive controls.
“JCB cabs offer 33-46 per cent more room than competitors providing greater leg, head, and shoulder room reducing stress and physical discomfort during long operating periods,” he says.
Less fatigue means fewer errors and a lower likelihood of fatigue-related incidents, another way JCB CEA is helping the construction sector progress toward zero harm goals.
Beyond daily operation, safety extends to routine inspections and maintenance, times when operators and technicians often find themselves in vulnerable positions.
“The side-entry layout of the JCB skid steer significantly improves access for inspections and servicing and reduces the likelihood of injury during routine checks,” says Withell.
“Operators performing pre-start or daily visual checks no longer have to climb over large attachments like a bucket or forks or under an unsupported boom to get into the cab.”
This allows them to do so without navigating the moving parts or control interlocks of the front working area.
Withell says behind the innovation lies rigorous engineering.
“The Powerboom is designed with 20 per cent more steel than other twin-arm designs and includes internal baffle plates for added structural strength and rigidity,” he says.
JCB ensures reliability through rigorous quality control processes which test structural strength and durability under extreme stress.
“Each cab is ISO-Certified ROPS (Roll-Over Protective Structure) and FOPS (Falling Object Protective Structure), ensuring maximum protection for the operator,” he says.
“Our engineers have also added additional protection built into the machine. Hydraulic hoses have been intelligently routed inside the main Powerboom structure, protecting them from impact damage.”
This article was originally published in the December edition of our magazine. To read the magazine, click here.
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