Only the second release on the 1:76 scale JCB 7 6-cylinder metal tracked excavator, we see this bright red and yellow construction vehicle as used by J C Balls & Sons. The 7 was JCB’s first 360◦ vehicle, originally developed and produced in 1965. With a 6-cylinder Ford 590E engine, it had a power output of 96 hp at 2250 rpm. The 12 tonne machine could dig a maximum depth of nearly 17 feet or 5.5 metres.

J C Balls & Sons is a family-owned construction and plant hire company founded in 1963 by Jim Balls, a prominent figure in the East Midlands' plant hire and earthmoving sector. The company offers services such as plant hire, excavation and aggregates.  Today, the company remains a closely-knit family business with the founder's descendants still involved in its operations from its base in Ambergate, Derbyshire.         

Our Oxford model is true to the original, including the very basic interior machinery of the period which is reproduced in the main yellow body colour with black detailing. Useful black and white signage indicate the front and the rear of the excavator with a special instruction ‘Do not Grease Slewing Gears’, which sounds important! The company name features prominently along the bucket arm together with the distinctive black JCB 7 lettering. A final detail sees the pistons and exhaust pipe finished in silver.