Several pieces of JCB equipment used in the United States Grand Prix to lift and move disabled Formula One cars will soon be on their way to the Middle East for use by the U.S. military.
During the U.S. Grand Prix, the telescopic handlers manufactured by JCB were outfitted with specially designed jigs, chains and linkage to safely move cars that had retired from the race but still remained in a potentially dangerous location.
The JCB equipment was relied upon for its precision and quick moving capabilities in order to avoid dangerous pileups on the track. Once the cars were recovered by the JCB loadalls, they were loaded on flatbed trucks and transported back to the appropriate team’s pit area.
Regional JCB Manager Nick Bellwood, who attended the race stated, “It just shows the versatility of the machines, one week they are lifting multi-million dollar race cars, the next week they are supporting our troops in the rebuilding of the Middle East.”
Indiana Motor Speedway “Wing and Wheel” logos have been added to the machines prior to their journey to the Middle East, alerting future operators to their previous role at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The nine JCB 541-70 loadall telescopic handlers have been transported to Savannah, Ga., JCB’s North American Headquarters where they will be packed into shipping containers. They will then set sail to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, and will ultimately reach Iraq.
The Indy JCB loadalls, which are supported by local Indiana dealer Reynolds Farm Equipment, will join the JCB-built High Mobility Engineer Excavator (HMEE-1) as choice equipment for the United States Military, according to the company.
