JCB are the world’s largest manufacturer of backhoe loaders – many are made in the UK, but the company also has a huge backhoe loader factory in India. Inventors of the backhoe loader in the 1950’s, JCB have remained the number one choice for site operators in the UK even though they have started to call them ‘Excavator Loaders’. The popular 3CX backhoe has been in production for more than 40 years and is still going strong today. Read more about the history and current model lineup below.
The JCB 3 went into production in 1961, followed by the JCB 3C in 1963 and the JCB 3CII in 1967 – a model which stood the test of time, staying in production for the next 13 years.
To the uninitiated, the original 3CX is not massively different to the most modern of today’s backhoe loaders from JCB. Soon after its launch, the Sitemaster version was added to the 3CX range. This had a multi-function jaw bucket.
Early engines were courtesy of Leyland, but these were replaced by the Perkins 4236. By 1985 the cab had received a facelift and three years later in 1988 the motor was again changed – this time from the Perkins 4236 to the 1000 series.
In 1990, the smaller 2CX joins the line-up, with equal sized wheels and four-wheel steering.
The relaunch of the 3CX Backhoe loader range saw a revised ‘black’ cab and a reworked chassis. It was at this point that the 4CX was first launched with an all-wheel drive and all-wheel steer system.
Buyers could also opt for the more powerful ‘Contractor’ version of the 3CX at that time.
1993 saw the launch of the 3CX Super with wheels of equal size. In this period the 4CX outsold the 3CX.
Fewer changes for this version – there was a facelift and some new hydraulics and interior cab levers. 1999 saw the Perkins 1000 series increase in displacement to 4.2 litres.
A lot more glass in the new cab and changes to the transmission with a digital display introduced in 2009. The most significant change was the change in engine in 2004 to meet the tier 2 emission standards. The Perkins name stayed, but the 1100 series was introduced at 4.4 litres.
This engine was short-lived, as JCB had been beavering away on their own engine and launched the 444 engine in 2005 with upgrades in 2008 to meet the tier 3 standards.
2010 saw the ECO backhoe loader launched with JCB’s Ecomax engines. in 2014 JCB launched the 5CX with a larger bucket and extended dig depth. Sharing the driveline with the 4CX, 5CX’s equal sized wheels mean top ground clearance.
Read more below about the most recent lineup…
The 1CX resembles closely a skid steer loader with a rear backhoe – because that’s just what it is. It is, in addition, a ‘proper’ JCB with swivel seat for the driver to operate the loader or backhoe end. The 2021 mode has a operating weight of 3254kgs and is driven by a 50hp diesel. The maximum loader shovel capacity is 0.8m3
The 1CX is also available as a tracked version the 1CXT. All the specifications remain the same, with the exception of the increased operating weight to 4 tonnes.
Launched between September 2020 and March 2021, at stage V the 3CX range became available as an Eco, Plus or PRO version.
All dimensions are the same across the three backhoes – the differences are mainly in the driveline.
The ECO comes with JCB’s 3-litre, 55kw engine, whilst the 3CX Plus or 3CX Pro comes with the 4.8 litre 81kW engine.
The choice of transmissions across the range is similar, with the 6-speed Autoshift available to replace the Powershift transmissions on the PRO versions.
Operating weights are 8,320 for the ECO and 8,600 for the PLUS and the PRO and all models are two wheel steer.
As far as digging dynamics are concerned, all models have the same capabilities, unless the 3CX Eco is specified with the standard dipper, as opposed to the extradig which is standard across the other two models.
For specialist roadworks operations, JCB have launched the 3CX Pothole Master. This comes with a choice of the two higher output engine version of 91 or 109HP. Instead of the standard backhoe, the rear attachment uses a patch planer (400mm) with a sweeping collector at the front.
Originally launched in 1991, the 4CX is a similar machine to the 3CX with the main difference being the use of four wheel steering.
Originally with the Perkins 1000 range of engines, 2008 saw the 4CX fitted with JCB’s own 444 engine.
The most recent stage V models come in ‘PLUS’ and ‘PRO’ versions (no ECO for the 4CX).
Launched in 2014, the larger 5CX, which also has a successful Wastemaster version, Is very similar to the 4CX with the exception of the size of the bucket and the extended dig depth to 6.51 metres.
There's a neat and tidy-looking 2001 JCB P12 Sitemaster backhoe loader on this week's front cover. Fitted with a Perkins turbo engine, it has a 4 in 1 front bucket, rear extender and hammer line. Looks like the perfect tool and well presented for its age. Remember, there's always tonnes of farm machinery for sale at our sister site www.farmmachinerypages.co.uk If you are looking for trucks and trailers for sale then head to www.truckpages.co.uk Also check out the rest of the photo lineages for a great choice of used plant for sale. There’s always plenty of new stock advertised for…>
JCB is celebrating 70 years of manufacturing its backhoe loader with the unveiling Platinum Editions of the 3CX and 4CX models. Company founder Joseph Cyril Bamford CBE invented the backhoe concept and the first JCB model was manufactured in 1953 after he combined a lightweight backhoe with a Major Loadall tractor loader. It created, for the first time, a single machine which combined a front shovel and rear excavator arm. While it took 20 years for JCB to build its 50,000 backhoes, under the leadership of JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford, more than 900,000 have now been made. JCB has been…>
Malcolm Harrison is showing some of the backhoe loaders available at the Prees sale taking place on the 16th September. Pictured front and centre is a 2000 Sitemaster 3CX 4WD backhoe with cross lever controls, forks and a 4 in 1 bucket and plenty of additional buckets to suit multiple tasks. This machine is joined by a range of machinery from access platforms to wheeled loaders and excavators to rollers. Check out the advert on page 18 for full details of this Saturday's sale. Remember, there's always tonnes of farm machinery for sale at our sister site www.farmmachinerypages.co.uk If you…>
Saturday 2nd September sees Malcolm Harrison auction off Steven Broadhurst's collection of trucks and machinery, including the JCB 3CX Sitemaster on this week's front cover. It's a year 2000 machine with Cross Lever Controls, a 4 Way Grab Bucket and set of Forks. Remember, there's always tonnes of farm machinery for sale at our sister site www.farmmachinerypages.co.uk If you are looking for trucks and trailers for sale then head to www.truckpages.co.uk Also check out the rest of the photo lineages for a great choice of used plant for sale. There’s always plenty of new stock advertised for sale at Truckpages…>
This week's front cover sees one of a choice of JCB 3CX backhoe loaders available from Plantmaster - see the full choice on the inside front cover, there are 2016 Sitemasters and 2017 Contractors with older, 1999 Sitemaster models available too. There's always tonnes of backhoe loaders available for sale at Plantpages.co.uk Remember, there's always tonnes of farm machinery for sale at our sister site www.farmmachinerypages.co.uk If you are looking for trucks and trailers for sale then head to www.truckpages.co.uk Also check out the rest of the photo lineages for a great choice of used plant for sale. There’s always…>