JCB Loadall 542-70 Agri / Agri Plus / Agri Super / Agri Pro / Agri Xtra service schedule

JCB Loadall telehandlers · Series III Stage IV (Tier 4 Final) machines made before the January 2021 Stage V launch, and Stage V machines from 2021 (Agri Xtra is a Stage V grade)

Every maker's service job for the JCB Loadall 542-70 Agri / Agri Plus / Agri Super / Agri Pro / Agri Xtra, counted in hours, with the oils, filters and parts each one needs. Add your telehandler to Farmyard Workshop and it works out what's due from your hours and dates, and keeps the service history.

Track your Loadall 542-70 Agri / Agri Plus / Agri Super / Agri Pro / Agri Xtra for free

Versions: Series III Stage IV: JCB EcoMAX 4.4 L or 4.8 L, SCR with AdBlue; Stage V (2021 on): JCB 448 DieselMAX 4.8 L

Service intervals

Job	When
50-hour jobs: axle pivot grease, axle oil levels, water drain	every 50 hours
Engine oil and filter change	every 500 hours or every 6 months
Water separator (sediment) filter change	every 500 hours or every 6 months
500-hour checks: radiator, hoses, drive belt, mountings	every 500 hours or every 6 months
Transmission filter change	every 500 hours or every 6 months
Boom wear pad service	every 500 hours
Engine (secondary) fuel filter change	every 1,000 hours or every year
Air cleaner outer element change	every 1,000 hours or every year
Crankcase breather element change	every 1,500 hours
Air cleaner inner (safety) element change	every 2,000 hours or every 2 years
Coolant drain and refill	every 2,000 hours or every 2 years
Hydraulic return filter change	every 2,000 hours
Transmission oil and filter change	when needed
Hydraulic oil and filter change	when needed
Axle and hub oil change	when needed
Cab fresh-air and recirculation filters	when needed

Service jobs and parts

50-hour jobs: axle pivot grease, axle oil levels, water drain

Chassis · every 50 hours

JCB's weekly (50-hour) plan greases the axle pivots and linkages, checks the axle and transmission oil levels and checks and drains the water separator.

Part	Qty	Notes	Part number
Grease	1	JCB grease as your handbook gives	check your handbook

Step-by-step

Park on firm level ground. Fully retract the boom and lower it with the forks or attachment flat on the ground. Parking brake on, engine stopped, key out.
Grease the front and rear axle pivots and the steering linkages until fresh grease shows.
Check the transmission and each axle oil level with the machine level.
Drain water from the separator until clean fuel shows.

Tools: Grease gun, Container, Rags

Engine oil and filter change

Engine · every 500 hours or every 6 months

JCB's plans change the engine oil and filter every 500 hours or 6 months, whichever comes first. Change them together every time. On Stage V (448) machines confirm the interval in your handbook.

Part	Qty	Notes	Part number
Engine oil	1	JCB Engine Oil EP 15W40 (10 to 50 °C) or JCB Cold Climate EP 5W40 (4001/2705, -20 to 50 °C). Sump: check your handbook (≈14 L on Stage IV 538-60 / 542-70 / 532-70, per the brochure). Aztec Oils match: EMPROTEC EHPD 15W-40	4001/1805
Engine oil filter	1	Genuine JCB number from JCB's own Ecomax parts list and its filter kits	320/B4420
Sump plug seal	1	check your handbook	check your handbook

Step-by-step

Park on firm level ground. Fully retract the boom and lower it with the forks or attachment flat on the ground. Parking brake on, engine stopped, key out.
Never check or top up oil with the engine running. Run the engine briefly so the oil is warm, not scalding, then stop it.
Open the engine cover, remove the sump plug and drain the oil fully.
Clean the filter head, oil the new filter's seal and fit it by hand.
Refit the sump plug with a new seal, to the torque in your handbook.
Fill to between the dipstick marks, run for a minute, check for leaks, stop, wait and recheck.

Tools: Drain tray (20 L), Filter wrench, Torque wrench, Funnel, Gloves, Rags

Water separator (sediment) filter change

Fuel · every 500 hours or every 6 months

JCB's plans check and drain the water separator every 50 hours and change its filter at 500 hours or 6 months. JCB's kit sheet calls the same element the fuel lift pump or sediment filter.

Part	Qty	Notes	Part number
Water separator (sediment) filter element	1	Genuine JCB number from JCB's kit sheet and Ecomax parts list	320/A7123

Step-by-step

Park on firm level ground. Fully retract the boom and lower it with the forks or attachment flat on the ground. Parking brake on, engine stopped, key out.
No naked flames or smoking.
Clean around the separator, drain it into a container and remove the element.
Fit the new element with its seals.
Prime the system as the handbook describes, start and check for leaks.

Tools: Container for fuel, Filter wrench, Rags, Gloves

500-hour checks: radiator, hoses, drive belt, mountings

Cooling · every 500 hours or every 6 months

JCB's 500-hour plan cleans the radiator and checks all hoses, the front end accessory drive belt and the powertrain mounting bolts.

Step-by-step

Park on firm level ground. Fully retract the boom and lower it with the forks or attachment flat on the ground. Parking brake on, engine stopped, key out.
Blow or brush dirt out of the radiator and cooler fins from the clean side.
Check every hose for cracks, rubbing and leaks, and the drive belt for wear and cracks.
Check the engine and gearbox mounting bolts are tight.

Tools: Compressed air or soft brush, Spanners, Torch

Transmission filter change

Transmission · every 500 hours or every 6 months

JCB's kit sheet puts the transmission filter in every 500-hour kit. The transmission oil change interval was not found, so the filter has its own task here: check your handbook for the oil.

Part	Qty	Notes	Part number
Transmission filter element	1	Genuine JCB number in the 542-70 kit sheet and on JCB's parts shop. A 2013-on kit for earlier Loadalls lists 581/M8563 instead: confirm by serial number	581/R5206

Step-by-step

Park on firm level ground. Fully retract the boom and lower it with the forks or attachment flat on the ground. Parking brake on, engine stopped, key out.
Clean round the filter, remove it catching the oil, oil the new seal and fit by hand.
Run the engine at idle with the boom lowered so the system refills, then check and top up the transmission oil as the handbook shows.

Tools: Filter wrench, Drain tray, Rags

Boom wear pad service

Boom · every 500 hours

JCB's brochure says the dry-lube boom slide pads need servicing only every 500 hours (Series III machines). Check the pads for wear and the extension for side play.

Part	Qty	Notes	Part number
Boom wear pads	1	check your handbook for shim and wear limits and part numbers	check your handbook

Step-by-step

Park on firm level ground. Fully retract the boom and lower it with the forks or attachment flat on the ground. Parking brake on, engine stopped, key out.
Never go under a raised boom without the JCB boom safety strut fitted round the lift ram.
Rock the extension by hand for side play and look at the pads and runways for wear and scoring.
Shim or replace the pads as the handbook says, then wipe the surplus grease off the runways.

Tools: Grease gun, Feeler gauges, Torch, Rags

Engine (secondary) fuel filter change

Fuel · every 1,000 hours or every year

JCB's plans change the engine fuel filter every 1,000 hours or once a year. Common-rail injectors are easily damaged by dirt and water.

Part	Qty	Notes	Part number
Engine (secondary) fuel filter	1	Genuine JCB number from JCB's kit sheet and Ecomax parts list. A 2013-on kit for earlier Tier 4i machines lists 320/07382 instead: confirm by serial number	320/A7351

Step-by-step

Park on firm level ground. Fully retract the boom and lower it with the forks or attachment flat on the ground. Parking brake on, engine stopped, key out.
Clean the filter head, remove the old filter and fit the new one with its seal.
Prime the fuel system as the handbook says before starting.
Start and check for leaks.

Tools: Filter wrench, Container for fuel, Rags

Air cleaner outer element change

Engine · every 1,000 hours or every year

JCB's plans change the outer air element every 1,000 hours or once a year and clean the dust valve at every 500 hours. Change it sooner in dusty work.

Part	Qty	Notes	Part number
Outer (main) air filter element	1	Genuine JCB number from the 542-70 kit sheet, which also lists 333/D2696 as a main air filter (the number used on other Loadalls). Confirm by serial number	32/926059

Step-by-step

Stop the engine and take the key out. Never run it with the element out.
Remove the outer element, leaving the inner one in place.
Wipe out the housing with a damp cloth; do not blow dirt into the intake.
Fit the new element, close the housing and squeeze the dust valve clear.

Tools: Torch, Damp cloth

Crankcase breather element change

Engine · every 1,500 hours

JCB's kit sheet puts the crankcase ventilation element in the 1,500-hour kit. That is a kit grouping, not a stated handbook interval: check your handbook. No months figure was found.

Part	Qty	Notes	Part number
Crankcase ventilation element	1	Genuine JCB number from JCB's kit sheet and Ecomax parts list	320/07853

Step-by-step

Park on firm level ground. Fully retract the boom and lower it with the forks or attachment flat on the ground. Parking brake on, engine stopped, key out.
Let the engine cool, clean around the breather housing, fit the new element and close the housing.
Start and check for leaks.

Tools: Spanners, Rags, Gloves

Air cleaner inner (safety) element change

Engine · every 2,000 hours or every 2 years

JCB's plans change the inner element every 2,000 hours or 2 years.

Part	Qty	Notes	Part number
Inner (safety) air filter element	1	JCB's 542-70 kit sheet lists 32/926060 and also 32/925683 as safety elements; which one fits depends on the air cleaner fitted. Confirm by serial number	32/926060

Step-by-step

Stop the engine and take the key out.
Remove the outer, then the inner element, covering the intake straight away.
Fit the new inner, then the outer, and close the housing.

Tools: Torch, Clean cloth

Coolant drain and refill

Cooling · every 2,000 hours or every 2 years

JCB's plans drain and refill the cooling system every 2,000 hours or 2 years and check coolant quality and level at every service.

Part	Qty	Notes	Part number
Coolant	1	JCB Antifreeze HP/Coolant with water (see your handbook's mix table)	4006/1120

Step-by-step

Only work on a cold engine. Ease the cap to release pressure first.
Drain the system and flush with clean water.
Refill with the correct mix, run to temperature, let it cool and top up.

Tools: Drain tray (30 L), Hose, Coolant tester

Hydraulic return filter change

Hydraulics · every 2,000 hours

JCB's kit sheet puts the hydraulic return element in the 2,000-hour kit. That is a kit grouping, not a stated handbook interval, so check your handbook for an earlier change. No months figure was found.

Part	Qty	Notes	Part number
Hydraulic return filter element	1	Genuine JCB number from the 542-70 kit sheet; confirm for your model and serial number	332/D5584A

Step-by-step

Park on firm level ground. Fully retract the boom and lower it with the forks or attachment flat on the ground. Parking brake on, engine stopped, key out.
Never go under a raised boom without the JCB boom safety strut fitted round the lift ram.
With the engine off, work the boom and auxiliary controls to release trapped pressure. JCB says only a dealer should discharge the accumulators.
Let the oil cool, clean around the filter housing, change the element and refit the cover.
Top up the tank to the sight glass, run each service through its travel and recheck the level.

Tools: Spanners, Drain tray, Lint-free rags, Gloves

Transmission oil and filter change

Transmission · when needed

The transmission oil change interval and type were not found in readable sources: check your handbook. Change the filter with the oil every time.

Part	Qty	Notes	Part number
Transmission oil	1	check your handbook	check your handbook
Transmission filter element	1	Genuine JCB number in the 542-70 kit sheet and on JCB's parts shop. A 2013-on kit for earlier Loadalls lists 581/M8563 instead: confirm by serial number	581/R5206

Step-by-step

Park on firm level ground. Fully retract the boom and lower it with the forks or attachment flat on the ground. Parking brake on, engine stopped, key out.
Drain the warm (not hot) oil, change the filter and refit the plug.
Refill with the oil your handbook gives, run at idle with the boom down, then check and top up. Do not overfill.

Tools: Drain tray (25 L), Filter wrench, Spanners, Pump

Hydraulic oil and filter change

Hydraulics · when needed

The hydraulic oil change interval and grade were not found in readable sources: check your handbook. Change the return filter with the oil every time.

Part	Qty	Notes	Part number
Hydraulic oil	1	Type and quantity: check your handbook	check your handbook
Hydraulic return filter element	1	Genuine JCB number from the 542-70 kit sheet; confirm for your model and serial number	332/D5584A

Step-by-step

Park on firm level ground. Fully retract the boom and lower it with the forks or attachment flat on the ground. Parking brake on, engine stopped, key out.
Never go under a raised boom without the JCB boom safety strut fitted round the lift ram.
Release hydraulic pressure with the engine off. Let the oil cool, drain the tank, change the filter, refill, run each service through its travel, stow the boom and recheck the level.

Tools: Containers for at least 130 L, Spanners, Pump, Gloves

Axle and hub oil change

Axles · when needed

JCB's parts list gives JCB Gear Oil HP Plus, and LS Plus where limited slip axles are fitted. The change interval and quantities were not found: check your handbook. Levels are checked every 50 hours.

Part	Qty	Notes	Part number
Axle and hub oil	1	JCB Gear Oil HP Plus; JCB Gear Oil LS Plus (4000/3905) with limited slip axles. Quantities: check your handbook	4000/2205

Step-by-step

Park on level ground or the level reading will be wrong. Boom down, attachment down, wheels chocked, engine off.
Drain each housing and hub, refill to the level plugs and refit the plugs.
Check the breathers are clear.

Tools: Drain trays, Spanners, Oil pump

Cab fresh-air and recirculation filters

Cab · when needed

Cab filters clog quickly in dusty farm work. The interval and part numbers were not found in readable sources: check your handbook.

Part	Qty	Notes	Part number
Cab fresh-air filter	1	No genuine number read; check your handbook	check your handbook
Cab recirculation filter	1	No genuine number read; check your handbook	check your handbook

Step-by-step

Stop the engine and take the key out.
Wear a dust mask, remove both filters, clean the housings and fit new ones, checking the seals.

Tools: Screwdriver, Dust mask

Oils, fluids and capacities

System	Oil or spec	Capacity
Engine	Stage IV / Tier 4 Final: JCB EcoMAX 4-cylinder turbo diesel, 4.4 L at 109 hp (81 kW, 516 Nm) or 125 hp (93 kW, 550 Nm); 4.8 L at 145 hp (108 kW, 560 Nm) in the top spec. SCR with AdBlue, no particulate filter. Stage V (2021 on): 4.8 L JCB 448 DieselMAX, 109 / 130 / 150 hp
Engine oil	JCB Engine Oil EP 15W40 (4001/1805) for 10 to 50 °C, or JCB Cold Climate EP 5W40 (4001/2705) for -20 to 50 °C	≈14 L sump on Stage IV machines (JCB brochure). Stage V: check your handbook
Coolant	≈23 L on Stage IV machines (JCB brochure). JCB Antifreeze HP/Coolant (4006/1120) with water; see the mix table in your handbook.
Valve clearances	check your handbook
Engine oil	JCB EP 15W40 or EP 5W40	≈14 L (Stage IV); Stage V: check your handbook
Coolant	JCB Antifreeze HP/Coolant with water	≈23 L (Stage IV)
Hydraulic tank	check your handbook	≈113 L (Stage IV)
Transmission	check your handbook	check your handbook
Axles and hubs	JCB Gear Oil HP Plus (4000/2205); JCB Gear Oil LS Plus (4000/3905) for limited slip axles	check your handbook
Brakes	check your handbook (Loadalls use JCB hydraulic fluid, not DOT brake fluid)	check your handbook
Fuel tank	Diesel	≈169 L (Stage IV)
AdBlue (DEF) tank	AdBlue (DEF)	≈20.8 L (Stage IV)

Specifications


Max lift capacity	4,200 kg (top of the 3,200 to 4,200 kg range in the Series III brochure)
Lift height	check your handbook
Max forward reach	check your handbook
Transmission	AGRI / Plus: 4-speed Powershift, 33 km/h; TorqueLock 4: 4-speed with lock-up, 40 km/h; Agri Super: 6-speed Autoshift, 40 km/h; Agri Pro: DualTech VT, 40 km/h (brochure)
Weight	≈8.84 t for the Agri Pro (spec database)
Tyres	500/70 R24 standard on the Agri Pro (spec database)
Wheel nut torque	check your handbook

Known problems

AdBlue (SCR)

Keep the AdBlue tank topped up with clean AdBlue and the cap shut. Dirt or the wrong fluid can damage the dosing system. JCB's kit sheet also lists a DEF filter (334/D7569) in the 1,000 and 2,000-hour engine kits: check your handbook for its interval.

Brake fluid type

Loadall brakes run on JCB hydraulic fluid. DOT brake fluid damages the seals: check your handbook for the right one.

Boom wear pads and main pivot

Rock the extension for side play. Unshimmed pads can wear the runways and load the main pivot.

Accumulators

Accumulators hold pressure with the engine off. JCB says only a dealer should discharge them.

Oil filter number conflict

One parts site lists 320/B4394 for the 542-70 and other telehandlers; JCB's own kit sheet and Ecomax parts list say 320/B4420. This entry uses 320/B4420: confirm by serial number.

Fault codes: SAE J1939 engine codes: how to read SPN and FMI

Any modern electronic diesel engine

Code	Meaning	What to do
SPN 91	Accelerator pedal position	Power may be limited. Check the pedal plug.
SPN 94	Fuel delivery (lift pump / filter) pressure	Check fuel level and filters; look for air in the fuel.
SPN 97	Water in fuel	Drain the water separator.
SPN 100	Engine oil pressure	FMI 1 means stop at once. Check the oil level.
SPN 102	Boost (turbo) pressure	Check air filter and intake for leaks.
SPN 105	Intake manifold (charge air) temperature	Clean the cooler and intake.
SPN 110	Engine coolant temperature	FMI 0 means overheating: stop and let it cool.
SPN 157	Common rail fuel pressure	Check fuel filters. Call your dealer.
SPN 168	Battery voltage	Check the battery, terminals and alternator.
SPN 174	Fuel temperature	Call your dealer if high or erratic.
SPN 190	Engine speed	Check the sensor plug if the rev counter misbehaves.
SPN 1136	Engine controller temperature	Let it cool; check engine bay ventilation.
SPN 3216	SCR catalyst conversion efficiency (exhaust AdBlue system)	Check DEF quality and level. Call your dealer.
SPN 3361	DEF (AdBlue) dosing unit	Check the DEF tank level; call your dealer.
SPN 4094	DEF (AdBlue) tank level	Fill the DEF tank. Power will be cut if it runs out.
FMI 0	Reading valid but well above normal (most severe)	Treat as a real problem: stop and check, for example temperature or pressure.
FMI 1	Reading valid but well below normal (most severe)	Treat as a real problem: for oil pressure, stop the engine at once.
FMI 2	Erratic, intermittent or wrong data	Check the plug and wiring at the sensor.
FMI 3	Voltage above normal or wiring shorted to supply	Sensor or wiring fault. Check the plug.
FMI 4	Voltage below normal or wiring shorted to ground	Sensor or wiring fault. Check the plug.
FMI 5	Current below normal or open circuit	A wire has come off or a part has failed. Check the plug.
FMI 6	Current above normal or grounded circuit	A short to ground. Check wiring for chafing.
FMI 7	Mechanical part not responding or out of adjustment	Not electrical: check the part moves freely.
FMI 8	Abnormal frequency or pulse width	Signal fault. Check the sensor and wiring.
FMI 9	Abnormal update rate (message arriving too slowly or too fast)	Often a network fault. Switch off and restart.
FMI 10	Abnormal rate of change	Reading changing too fast. Check the sensor.
FMI 11	Failure detected, exact cause not known	Call your dealer.
FMI 12	Controller or device faulty	Usually needs a replacement part: call your dealer.
FMI 13	Out of calibration	Call your dealer to recalibrate.
FMI 14	Special instructions: the maker has its own steps	Call your dealer.
FMI 15 / 16	Reading above normal: least severe / moderately severe	Warning stage. Ease off and check, for example coolant.
FMI 17 / 18	Reading below normal: least severe / moderately severe	Warning stage. Check the system named.
FMI 19	Data received over the network carries an error flag	Check the sensor plugged into the other controller.
FMI 20 / 21	Data drifted high / drifted low compared with other readings	Sensor may be failing. Call your dealer.
FMI 31	The condition named by the SPN exists (no more detail), or not available	Read the SPN name for what it means.

Repair guides

AdBlue (SCR) warnings and the DEF filter on Agri Loadalls (Specialist, 15 minutes for the checks; faults are a dealer job): AdBlue or exhaust warnings, reduced engine power, low AdBlue level, or a DEF filter service due.
Hard starting or power loss: water separator (sediment) and engine fuel filter (Moderate, 45 minutes): Engine slow to start, power loss, water in the separator bowl, or a fuel filter service due. Common-rail injectors are easily damaged by dirt and water.
Gearbox or hydraulic filter service and checks (Agri Loadalls and TM telescopic loaders) (Moderate, 1–2 hours): Slow gear engagement, weak hydraulics, hydraulic or transmission filter warning, or the 500/1,000/2,000-hour filter kit is due.
Overheating or low power: air cleaner, radiator, hoses and drive belt (Easy, 45 minutes): Engine running hot, loss of power, black smoke, dust in the intake, or a squealing belt.
Boom side play and wear pads (Series III Agri Loadalls and 560-80) (Hard, 2–4 hours): The boom nose rocks sideways, knocking as the boom extends, uneven wear on the runways, or cracks near the main pivot.
Brake fluid level falling, soft pedal, and accumulator safety (Agri Loadalls) (Specialist, 15 minutes to check; brake pack work is a dealer job): Brake reservoir level dropping, long or soft pedal, machine pulling, weak handbrake, or any brake or hydraulic job that needs pressure released.

The full step-by-step guides are in Farmyard Workshop once you add your telehandler.

Sources

Open Farmyard Workshop