Latest JCB150X Takes Pride of Place at F W Thomas Exporters

Bill Thomas, who heads up the family business F. W. Thomas in Walsall, near Birmingham in England, doesn’t do things by half, that’s for sure! When he decided to invest in the latest JCB150XLCD, he specified, in his words, ‘every available extra’ over and above the standard features.

Watch the product video for the new X series excavator 

FW Thomas is a long-established worldwide exporter of used commercial used trucks, trailers, plant machinery and also supplies a range of spare parts, with a particular focus on the Middle East and Africa.

With large amounts of stock available, it can offer single vehicles or supply a large fleet and also arrange shipping to worldwide destinations.  As Bill says, ‘we are confident that there aren’t many places we won’t export to.’

So, why did the company need an excavator?  Explains Bill: “We are currently making further improvements to our seven acre site; there are a lot of repairs, groundworks, levelling out and concreting to be done around the yard, so it will be well utilized on what is an ongoing project. We are constantly improving our facilities here, so there will always be a use for the machine.”

And why JCB, in particular? “There were only two brands in the running when we considered our investment; the lead time for the other was much longer and it was only on offer with a 3.6 litre engine, so the JCB, with its more powerful 4.7 litre engine, was the much better option,” says Bill. “We got it from dealers Gunn JCB; we have dealt with them in the past and they have always provided us with a great service.”

That Bill is a big fan of the JCB brand is evident from the fact that he already had a JCB Loadall, and along with his purchase of the JCB 150X he also bought two JCB Teletruks.

Download Teletruk brochure here:

Upgraded Spec and a Variety of Attachments

“While the standard spec on the JCB 150X was good, we decided to go the extra mile and added a lot more features, in fact, every possible extra that was available, including extra comfort and heated seat, full air conditioning, 360 degree cameras, ram guards, and check valves on all the rams.

“We also had a blade fitted, and while it came with a couple of buckets, we invested in a few more, as well as some other attachments including a Steelwrist tiltrotator, which turns the JCB150X into an even more versatile machine. It was an obvious ‘extra’ when you realise just what you can do with it.”

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Download the JCB 150x brochure here: https://www.jcb.com/origin2017/~/asset/14/49472.ashx

Other attachments to go with the JCB 150X included an MTK breaker, a Selector grab, a Kinshofer Clamshell bucket and an Auger Torque.

Coming with factory ready GPS solutions, the JCB150X, which is a direct replacement for the JS145, features a comfortable JCB CommandPlus cab, with an industry-leading Grammer reclining seat with joystick and switch controls mounted to pods which are suspended from the seat and move with the operator for optimum control and less fatigue, while a 7” monitor with intuitive menus and functionality can be accessed through an automotive-style rotary controller.

Please use cab pictures here:

Improved cab isolation using latest double cushion viscous mounts reduces vibration and noise into the cab. This helps deliver the lowest in-cab noise of 67 dB(A).

There is an industry standard isolator lever that prevents accidental activation when exiting the cab, while a powerful new HVAC features 11 targeted vents for optimum performance in either hot or cold environments.

A cool/heat box comes as standard as does a spacious luggage tray behind operator’s seat with three independent 12V power supplies. Another handy storage space can be found at the back of the cab in the roof liner, including a hanger for the operator’s protective gear. A Bluetooth radio, fitted as standard, is fully integrated into the control screen. Roof, front, rear and side window blinds also come as standard providing full cab coverage.

Driver Friendly and a Smooth and Powerful Performer

As the main operator of the machine, Bill says it is driver friendly and a smooth performer, due in part, to its well proven Japanese hydraulics that deliver precise and efficient control, while auto-stop and auto-idle on the JCB Dieselmax Stage V engine provides significant fuel savings, with customisable proportional controls that allow for the setting of individual choice of speed and handling of attachments.

Tracking speed can be found on the joystick for ‘on the move’ tracking change, whilst a convenience

button lets you configure a range of functions such as radio mute, camera cycle, or front screen wash; slew drive provides high torque on acceleration and braking for greater controllability and refinement.

The machine also has a start-stop button for ease of start-up, which means the operator doesn’t have to turn the key to start it back up again. The start sequence also allows you to start digging within two seconds.

Pipework shut-off taps have been added as standard with SAE fittings, to enable quick connection of any attachments, while an advanced tool select system improves attachment handling by monitoring hydraulic pressure and flow – and an easy quick hitch provides simplified operation with an override for removing large breakers or fork attachments.

Built to Last and Simple to Service

That the JCB1250X is built to last is evident from its whole design which has been optimised to protect the machine; for example, side bay doors sit back from the edge for protection and the right hand platform corner and handrail sit within the slew radius to prevent damage and scratching.

Doors are bolted directly to the house frame and remain rust-free due to a zinc coating on all wear faces. All fasteners have a zinc finish for improved corrosion resistance, a new bolt and washer design protects paint from damage.

EPD coating improves corrosion resistance and ensures 100% coverage of metal components including ‘hard to cover’ areas like edges and cavities, while powder coat paint guarantees a constant quality finish.

Grouped greasing points make regular maintenance easier and quicker, while there is ground level access to the hour meter, HVAC filter, cab air filter and single fuse box. Just 10 checks are required for a 500 hour service.

The main hydraulic filter service interval has been extended to 2000 hours from 1000 hours and new fuel filter service intervals are 1000 hours.