JCB has launched the 6T SiTESAFE ROPS site dumper at the PlantWorx exhibition. Fully compliant with the new EN474 standard, the SiTESAFE ROPS dumper was created with operator safety as the highest priority.

• The safest and easiest to use EN474-compliant design on the market
• Large opening gates with heavy-duty latches allow three-points of contact
• Best engine torque in class and new 4-speed transmission
• Front Tip and Swivel Tip skip variants available

Safety First

The EN474 legislation came into force in February 2025, requiring site dumpers with an operating machine mass between 3,500kg and 4,500kg to have an additional operator protection system, to prevent the operator from being ejected from the machine in the event of a roll-over. The 6T SiTESAFE ROPS dumper has a maximum machine mass of 4,500kg.

The ROPS machine joins the full-cab 6 and 9-tonne models in JCB’s SiTESAFE site dumper line-up. The ROPS structure features large opening gates to either side of the machine, with heavy-duty latches. The design allows three-points of contact when climbing onto or leaving the machine. The gates also provide additional operator stability when traversing rough ground and there is no impact to all-round visibility.

“Some manufacturers’ designs don’t offer much operator protection, while others have large pads that significantly restrict visibility to the side and rear,” said a JCB spokesperson.

“Having a good view of these areas is critical when driving a dumper through cones, poles or past other vehicles, so we decided that our design had to maintain the exceptional all-round visibility of a conventional ROPS dumper, while maximising safety.”

The 6T SiTESAFE ROPS dumper is powered by a 55kW (74hp) JCB DieselMAX diesel engine, that has been paired with a new JCB SS670 4-speed synchroshuttle transmission. Driving through a torque converter, this new transmission delivers best-in-class gearshifting and superior off-road performance. The transmission boasts a 45% shorter gear lever throw, 35% less shifting force and up to 80% less gear lever play than the previous model.

With up to 6 litres less oil, contributing to a reduced total cost of ownership, service intervals for the gearbox have been increased to 2,000 hours. An easy access filter helps to cut service downtime and the transmission contributes to increased productivity. The new gearbox will become standard on all JCB 6- and 9-tonne capacity site dumpers later this year.

“Some manufacturers have moved to a hydrostatic transmission on larger dumpers, but the parasitic loss of a hydrostatic system results in reduced performance,” said JCB.

“Most customers still like the simplicity and performance of a gearbox and torque converter, as this is easy to service and has great performance on and off-road, including up and down steep inclines and through deep mud, where hydrostatic transmissions may struggle.”

The 6T SiTESAFE ROPS dumper is available with a Swivel Tip, allowing the machine to tip to either side, or the SiTESAFE Front Tip skip, which offers up to 30% better visibility than a conventional front tipping model, thanks to its lower overall skip height. The machines have a large, gas-strut assisted engine canopy, with additional lockable hatches under the operator’s seat. All daily checks and service items can be easily reached from ground level for short service times.

Additional EN474 changes that came into force in February include a bubble inclinometer as standard, to prevent the operator exceeding the maximum safe slope, rear view mirrors and a front camera. The SiTESAFE dumpers also benefit from a new operator’s seat with improved adjustment.

Options include fully compliant road lighting, LED working lights and SiTESAFE 360° camera and front object detection systems, which are already an option on cabbed models. Factory-fit high-visibility steps and handles can also be specified.