JCB preview flagship 480 and 490 wheel loaders at Hillhead 2026

JCB have unveiled their new flagship 480 and 490 wheel loaders at Hillhead 2026, introducing the largest and most productive loading shovels in the company’s range.

Designed for quarrying, waste and recycling, ports and heavy construction applications, both machines meet EU Stage V and Tier 4 Final emissions standards and deliver payloads of 8 tonnes and 9 tonnes respectively.

At the heart of both models is a 250kW (335hp) Cummins X12 diesel engine producing up to 1,695Nm of torque at 1,400rev/min. Power is transmitted through a standard ZF continuously variable transmission (CVT), providing fuel-efficient performance together with adjustable rimpull for maximum traction in varying ground conditions.

A key feature of the new machines is JCB’s patented loader-arm design, which combines the breakout force of a conventional Z-bar linkage with the visibility and parallel lift characteristics of a tool-carrier arrangement. The compact linkage also allows the use of larger low-density buckets while maintaining high bucket rotation throughout the lifting cycle for efficient material discharge.

Customers can specify standard or high-lift loader arms, providing maximum pin heights from 4.45m to 5.0m for loading high-sided trailers, hoppers and crushing equipment. Heavy-duty castings, together with sealed and lubricated pins and bushes, are designed to maximize durability in demanding operating conditions.

JCB have also introduced a new ‘single pedal control’ system that automatically manages travel speed and torque, while an intelligent hydraulic boost function adjusts engine output to match hydraulic demand, helping to optimize fuel efficiency and machine performance.

The transmission incorporates four virtual operating modes together with hill-hold, automatic park brake and integrated transmission braking with automatic engine exhaust braking to reduce service brake wear.

Inside the cab, operators benefit from JCB’s Command Driving Position, featuring seat-mounted electro-hydraulic controls, a heated and ventilated air-suspension seat with electric lumbar adjustment, and a 10in full-colour touchscreen running the latest JCB UX interface.

The touchscreen provides access to all machine functions and optional features including auto-greasing, on-board weighing and object-detection systems. On the cab roof, flush-mounted roof beacons located on each corner, improve all-round machine visibility.