Heavy Equipment

JCB Unveils Next-Gen 3CX and 4CX Backhoe Loaders

The new models include 3CX, 3CX Plus, 3CX Pro, and 4CX Pro.

Updated on

February 21, 2025

JCB has introduced its new-generation 3CX and 4CX backhoe loaders, featuring improved road performance, a redesigned excavator end, and a cab that prioritises operator comfort.

The new models, including the 3CX, 3CX Plus, 3CX Pro, and 4CX Pro—each offering unique features tailored to specific tasks—are designed to meet the diverse needs of operators.

James Gill, JCB’s Product Manager, said: “We’ve really tried to focus on what the backhoe is good at and take that to the next level. We’ve got a machine here that will go 30 mph, ideal for emergency situations like utility repairs or storm cleanup.”

Among the most notable aspects of the new equipment is the better transmission. With a six-speed auto-shift transmission, the new backhoes boast a top speed of nearly 30 mph, the highest on the market.

JCB has 25% lower travel time and 10% lower fuel consumption compared to earlier models. Furthermore, the 3CX Pro now has 20-inch larger front tyres for improved braking and traction, providing enhanced power from the engine to the ground.

On the excavator end, JCB introduced the outer box extending dipper stick for the center-mount models. This innovation improves weight distribution and material handling capacity.

Gill noted: “The new design is the ideal solution for mounting a thumb, as the weight is distributed more evenly across the dipper.” The enhanced stability and increased lift capacity make these backhoes particularly useful for demolition and heavy material handling tasks.

For the sideshift models JCB kept the inner box excavating a dipper stick which gives better reach and digging power. These backhoes can dig as deep as 20 feet and lift up to 10,000 pounds.

The cab has undergone a significant redesign, featuring a 7-inch display with customisation options and instructional videos for operators. A second front screen gives clean speedometer information.

The forward, neutral, and reverse functions are now on the right hand joystick for faster direction changes, while the auto seat select function switches hydraulic control between loader and excavator mode without manual input.

Other cab features include Bluetooth connectivity, ergonomic joystick controls, and lockable storage. Larger mirrors and LED work lights improve visibility, and the Q-Fit quick coupler makes swapping attachments fast and easy.

Gill summed up: “Our high-torque engines deliver outstanding power, while advanced hydraulics ensure exceptional breakout forces and lift capacity. With these upgrades, operators can work faster, more accurately, and with greater ease.”

Models in the JCB lineup include:

JCB 3CX: A versatile machine with low initial costs.
JCB 3CX Plus: Offers more power and greater digging depth than the 3CX.
JCB 3CX Pro: All of the 3CX Plus, but with a higher road speed of up to 30 mph.
JCB 4CX Pro: Four tyres of the same size and all-wheel steer, with extra traction, increased loading and digging power in difficult conditions, and lowest turning radius.

The 3CX Plus on the 2025 ARA Show celebrated JCB’s milestone backhoe production with a one-of-a-kind one-millionth livery, produced in small quantities for the U.S. and U.K.