JCB's 3CX compact backhoe loader is targeted at the utility, cemetery and municipal markets and is designed for use on construction projects in urban areas with space constraints. It measures 6 feet 3 inches wide and 9 feet high and is designed for maximum maneuverability.
A 19% increase in hydraulic flow, at 26 gpm, in combination with standard excavator pilot controls, is designed to give the 3CX compact optimal controllability for operators familiar with both compact excavators and backhoe loaders. Up to 20 gpm of bi-directional auxiliary flow allows a wide range of hydraulic attachments to be used, including augers. The 3CX compact is available with two fixed or extended dipper lengths at the rear.
At the front end, the loader comes with a range of buckets that can be supplied with an optional cutting edge for road stripping applications. A load over height of 9 feet 9 inches and max forward reach at full height of 3 feet 8 inches facilitates loading of trucks and other high-sided vehicles. The machine can also be ordered with a hydraulic quickhitch, for faster attachment changes.
The six-in-one bucket is designed to make the 3CX compact useful in a broad range of applications. Pallet forks and specialty attachments, such as sweepers, add to the machine’s versatility.
The 3CX compact is powered by a low emission Tier 4 Final JCB Diesel by Kohler engine, delivering 74hp. The engine meets both U.S. and European emissions standards without the need for a diesel particulate filter or any exhaust after-treatment or exhaust fluid.
The engine drives through a three-speed hydrostatic transmission to all four wheels, a design meant to ensure traction across difficult site conditions. The hydrostatic transmission offers a 25 mph top speed for travel between sites. The transmission also features a creep mode, which allows the operator to run at high engine rpms to power high-flow attachments such as road planers, with a maximum travel speed of 2 mph.
The hydrostatic transmission eliminates the need for a gearshift lever or a clutch. Heavy-duty JCB axles with an optional limited slip differential are designed to help reduce wheel slip in tough conditions. An intelligent braking system disengages the transmission to increase efficiency and reduce component wear.
Riding on equal-sized wheels, the 3CX compact has selectable two- and four-wheel steering. An turning radius of 19 feet to the outside of the wheels with brakes engaged and 22 feet without brakes are designed to make the machine highly maneuverable and easy-to-operate on tight urban jobsites.
Optional bucket and stabilizer street pads are available to prevent damage to roadways. In combination with a hand-held hydraulic tool circuit and a host of high power attachments, such as breakers and patch planers, the 3CX compact is well suited to road maintenance. Parallel lift loader arms are designed for load retention and JCB’s smooth ride loader suspension system is standard.
