This time final yr we pitted JCB’s Fastrac 4220 towards a Fendt 724 Vario to see simply how shut the high-speed specialist’s in-field efficiency might get to that of a top-spec typical tractor.

It stood as much as the problem admirably, with its auto-levelling suspension providing peerless driver consolation, in addition to balancing the tractor to profit from the obtainable grip.

See additionally: Ahead-control Fastrac ups spreading output by 30%

Energy was additionally first rate, and the four-wheel steering made it surprisingly manoeuvrable for its dimension.

However its success was hampered by some illogical controls, a fundamental joystick and an archaic in-cab display screen, none of which had seen a big refresh for the reason that tractor’s launch again in 2014.

So, whereas rivals have been providing customisable controls and slick Isobus-ready screens, Fastrac house owners needed to litter their workspace with aftermarket tools and shows.

All that modified earlier this yr, with JCB jettisoning the dated gear in favour of a way more trendy setup akin to these gracing the cabs of its rivals.

This so-called iCON spec has been adopted throughout the Fastrac vary, bringing a brand new armrest, multi-function joystick and enormous touchscreen show to the social gathering.

How good is the brand new management setup?

JCB’s revamp is a big enchancment on what went earlier than, with all main controls grouped neatly in a single place.

However the transfer hasn’t simply reorganised the buttons; it has basically modified the way in which the tractor is pushed. And it has finished so for the higher.

Though the Fastrac shares its ML180 transmission with a number of Fendt fashions, the previous joystick managed it in a different way.

Nudging the lever forwards and backwards used to provoke a course change, whereas side-to-side shunts altered the pace.

We at all times thought it was much less intuitive than the Agco methodology of fore-and-aft pace adjustment, with course adjustments and cruise engagement on the lateral actions.

Properly, JCB has now accepted in the event you can’t beat ‘em, be part of ‘em, and embraced the extra typical mind-set.

Engineers have additionally dropped the convoluted drive modes and made it doable to function the tractor on the foot pedal or joystick with out having to press a button to change between them.

Thoughtfully, the designers have thought-about that not everybody might be gained over by the brand new method.

So there’s the choice of choosing a “Traditional” mode that places capabilities again of their authentic positions.

The joystick is residence to a number of new controls, a few of which permit operators to change between cruise settings and regulate them on the transfer.

There are additionally 5 customisable buttons that may be set to function every little thing from autosteer and headland administration to spool valves and hyperlink arms.

A very new addition is a separate cross-lever that might be commonplace fitment on higher-spec fashions.

This gives proportional Management of hydraulic capabilities and performs host to 4 extra customized buttons.

The lever has a number of makes use of, together with working the entrance linkage, spool valves or a loader and taking management of Isobus-compatible implements akin to a sprayer or spud harvester.

It’s a useful function to have and means there’s much less of a have to bolt in further joysticks and management levers.

One other notable improve is the neat packaging of the entrance and rear linkage controls in a stacked “wedding-cake” fashion association.

This falls handy significantly better than the previous setup and takes up significantly much less house.

Nevertheless, the shortage of a bodily depth indicator makes it difficult for operators to return to their base setting after making changes.

Media, cellphone and local weather controls have additionally been grouped on the driver’s fingertips, making it easy to skip to their favorite Taylor Swift tune, reply a name or demist the home windows.

What concerning the new display screen?

Following within the footsteps of virtually each different main tractor producer, JCB has chosen to mount its new 12in touchscreen on the finish of the armrest.

It is a much better place than the chunky B-pillar monitor of previous, placing it clearly within the driver’s eyeline. It’s additionally connected to a swivelling bracket with loads of adjustment to get it into the best spot.

Due to first rate processing energy, a collection of slick menus and a few good graphics it’s as good to make use of as any of the screens in the marketplace.

Switching capabilities round on the joystick, cross-lever and customized buttons is youngster’s play, with diagrams the place the person can merely place their finger on a selected perform and drag it to the place they need it.

We significantly favored the setup for switching spool valve places.

Once more, it is a drag-and-drop affair, however each time a change is made all of the spools flash like a Nineteen Seventies disco earlier than altering color.

It’d sound pointless, however it makes it clear to the operator that the transfer has been accomplished.

One spool will also be set because the precedence, so oil might be robbed from others earlier than its movement begins to drop – perfect for a drill fan, for instance.

Headland administration is extra person pleasant too, and has house to retailer as much as 50 sequences for various implements and operators.

Once set, customers can programme this to have interaction and disengage utilizing any of the tractor’s 9 customisable buttons.

Slightly than teaming up with a seasoned GPS maker, JCB has chosen to place its personal autosteer system collectively utilizing a Novatel receiver on the roof and an AgJunction steering setup.

It really works properly and does all of the fundamentals, together with part management, however it lacks a number of the sophistication supplied by rivals.

For instance, there’s no computerized discipline recognition, wi-fi knowledge switch on the finish of a job or an computerized headland flip perform.

Twin-steer – a novel Fastrac function that enables the entrance and rear axles to be steered by separate GPS receivers ­­– additionally requires one or two further shows to be introduced in, relying on the supplier.

JCB says growth is ongoing, so options like this is likely to be added over time.

For consumers that need greater than the in-house setup can provide, there’s nonetheless the choice of utilizing a separate display screen from the likes of Trimble or John Deere.

Nevertheless, choosing a Deere equipment requires an digital bridge from Solsteer or Agra GPS to make it work.

One other function that’s price mentioning is the power to show as much as 4 digicam feeds.

Our take a look at tractor got here fitted with one educated on the pick-up hitch, which was a pleasant improve over the usual mirror.

Has the rest modified?

Save for some yellow paint on the cab handrails and a few iCON graphics, there’s little to tell apart the brand new tractor from its predecessor.

Nevertheless, the door design has been tweaked barely to scale back wind noise and there’s now a cup holder tucked away within the again nook of the cab.

The remainder of the workspace is unchanged, which is ok by us because it gives a great deal of house for driver and passenger, a cushty seating place and good visibility.

As for the fashions and energy outputs, nothing has been altered.

So, in contrast to some makers which may accompany updates like this with an engine tweak and a brand new bonnet quantity, JCB has saved the 235hp 4220 as its flagship.

Maybe it’s because the platform can’t deal with the additional oomph, however it means the agency nonetheless has a notable hole within the 240-300hp sector, earlier than the two-model 8000-series is available in at 306hp.

There’s nonetheless no choice of a factory-fit central tyre inflation system both, which might be a disappointment to some prospects.

The final important replace to the 4000-series platform got here in 2019, when there was a transfer to a Stage 5 engine, a harder entrance axle with beefed-up diff, 12- slightly than 10-stud hubs, and the fitment of a bigger 195-litre/min hydraulic pump, up from 148 litres/min.

What’s it prefer to drive?

In our opinion, the brand new management structure and display screen has made the Fastrac considerably simpler and extra fulfilling to drive.

However the fundamentals have been already good. On the highway, there’s nothing that may contact it, with the hydro-pneumatic suspension ironing out the bumps and the ABS giving drama-free stopping energy.

It’s additionally reassuring to know that these options imply it’s authorized to barrel alongside at its high pace of 60kph.

Within the discipline, it shines for any job that requires a flip of pace, giving a pillow-like trip, even when crossing tramlines at high pace.

It may additionally maintain its personal for heavy cultivation work, though we’ve by no means fairly received it to match the efficiency of typical tractors of the same horsepower.

A part of it’s because it may well take time to get the ballasting and tyre pressures dialled in on these tractors. However we additionally discovered it didn’t pull in addition to it might in “auto” mode.

That is JCB’s model of the Fendt TMS system, which regularly adjusts engine revs and gearing to succeed in the goal pace as effectively as doable.

We felt that it wasn’t giving its all when dragging a six-furrow plough, so we switched to handbook and managed to eke out a bit extra efficiency.

At the moment, there is no such thing as a choice to customize the auto settings, so turning to handbook management of the engine and transmission is the one choice in the event you really feel like you may squeeze some extra potential from it.

Verdict

Up till the launch of the iCON, Fastrac consumers needed to be satisfied that the tractor’s different promoting factors have been sturdy sufficient to outweigh the downsides of the antiquated management structure.

Fortunately for JCB, loads of consumers did make that decision, gained over by attributes akin to its glorious suspension, stellar towing skill and its intelligent four-wheel steering system.

Now, that compromise has largely evaporated, leaving potential prospects with few excuses to begin wanting elsewhere.

In keeping with JCB, it’s already making a marked distinction, with order books swelling significantly for the reason that replace was introduced.

Although the change has been dramatic, JCB nonetheless has some room for enchancment.

One space is its fledgling in-house GPS system, which lacks some options and means customers finishing up advanced duties will nonetheless want to herald further shows.

The shortage of a extra highly effective model additionally leaves JCB with a yawning energy hole from 235hp to 306hp, the place its bigger 8000-series is available in. A 6000-series would possibly simply match the invoice…