JCB is betting that small will be big in future backhoe loader sales, as it has introduced the 3CX compact backhoe loader at ICUEE in Louisville.
The 3CX compact backhoe loader is designed for the utility, cemetery and municipal markets as well as for construction projects in urban areas with space constraints. It is 6 feet 3 inches wide and 9 feet high. JCB says the unit combines the digging power and ease-of-use of a compact excavator with the capabilities of a compact wheel loader. Backhoe loader, compact excavator and skid steer loader attachment compatibility allows the 3CX compact to work with a wide range of attachments and hand-held tools.
A 19 percent increase in hydraulic flow, at 26 gpm, in combination with standard excavator pilot controls, gives the 3CX compact 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 machine is available with two fixed or extended dipper lengths at the rear.
At the front end, the backoe loader comes with a range of buckets that can be supplied with 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 allows loading of trucks and other high-sided vehicles. The machine can also be ordered with a hydraulic quickhitch, for faster attachment changes. Four-wheel steering provides a 19-foot turning radius.
The 3CX compact is powered by a Tier 4-Final JCB Diesel by Kohler engine, delivering 74 horsepower. The engine meets both US and European emissions standards without the need for a DPF or DEF. The engine drives through a three-speed hydrostatic transmission to all four wheels. 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 cold planers, with a maximum travel speed of just 2 mph.
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