Most construction equipment OEMs have an iconic machine. For JCB that is the backhoe loader. CPN charts its history and looks at recent developments to keep this versatile bit of equipment a firm favourite on site.
For over 73 years, the backhoe loader has been the foundation, the very cornerstone of construction and plant hire businesses across the world. Who would have thought back then that the concept of a wheeled machine, with a bucket at one end and a shovel at the other, would prove so successful? But successful it has proved, with the company responsible for its genesis, JCB, celebrating the production of its one millionth backhoe loader at the start of this year.
Designed initially for post-war reconstruction, as a machine that could complete a host of tasks on site, the concept started as an agricultural tractor with a Major Loader fitted to the front and an excavator arm to the rear. By 1953, Joseph Cyril Bamford had designed and launched the Mk 1, which turned out to be one of the most important and influential machines that the construction industry has ever seen.
This early model was strengthened and performance improved, with the launch of the Hydra-Digga in 1956 and the more powerful JCB 4 in 1960. Demand for a smaller, more manoeuvrable model would soon lead to the JCB 3, a backhoe loader for the housebuilder, rather than the civil engineer and a model that would launch plant hire businesses across the world. In the seven decades since, JCB has continued to develop and evolve the concept, adding longer loader arms, a horizontal ‘side shift’ for the backhoe mounting, the six-in-one front shovel and even a kettle for the operator. Turbocharged engines, powershift transmissions, all-wheel drive, the extending dipper arm and auxiliary hydraulics, have turned the humble backhoe loader into one of the most versatile, productive and reliable master-of-all-trades machines.
In house
From those early days, JCB realised the benefits and potential of vertical integration, designing and engineering its own components specifically for the backhoe loader and its other equipment lines. Transmissions, axles, hydraulic cylinders and cabs are all sourced internally, more recently being joined by JCB’s award-winning range of low emission diesel engines. As has been publicised the company is working on an innovative hydrogen engine, that will take the backhoe loader into a zero-emission future.
The backhoe loader concept continues to expand, from the skid steer loader-based 1CX, through the 3CX Compact and the various 3CX models, to the all-wheel steer 4CX and powerful 5CX. There are Highways Master and Wastemaster trims, even a Polemaster Plus for specialist utility work. There is a JCB backhoe loader to suit every application, anywhere in the world and the JCB backhoe loader is built in multiple sites around the world, to better suit local demand.
For more than 70 years JCB has continued to develop and refine the backhoe loader, achieving sales success and market leadership in every corner of the globe.
The secret of its success? Here are a few stats from JCB: the backhoe loader can load 20-tonnes of material in less than five minutes, while using 10% less fuel than a 13- tonne excavator; it can move material across site 25% faster than an 8-tonne excavator and 9-tonne site dumper, while using 50% less fuel; it is able to level material three times faster than a 13-tonne excavator, while using 25% less fuel; plus, the backhoe loader can drive itself to and from site, with no requirement for additional transportation.
Alternatively, customers can remove the bucket and shovel and operate the backhoe loader with a host of other attachments, from road sweepers to patch planers, hydraulic breakers to compaction, pallet forks to post-hole augers. Most recently JCB has introduced further refinements with upgrades across the range, to make an operator’s life easier and more productive.
These include:
- the launch of Dual Drive allowing machine repositioning without rotating the driver’s seat
- single loader lever to reduce operator effort
- revised direction control for quicker and easier use
- return to grade function for improved performance
- laser level mount for simple 2D installation
- upgraded quick hitch with wider fork carriage
Dual Drive
Available as standard on 3CX Pro and 4CX Pro machines with servo controls, Dual Drive allows the operator to reposition the machine while facing the excavator, without having to turn the seat to the front-facing position. This is particularly useful when ditch cleaning, grading, breaking or patch planning, as the operator can simply drive the machine along the job site while looking at the work area.
A roller switch on the left-hand servo lever controls the steering, while the righthand lever has a forward-reverse selection switch. The two pedals in front of the operator are used to control the throttle and the brake system. A 7in monitor, positioned at the rear of the machine next to the side console, provides a wide-angle view to the front of the machine, while facing to the rear thanks to a bird’s eye camera positioned on top of the cab.
JCB says it studied how operators work and concluded that the single ease of use and productivity improvement would be the ability to drive the machine in both directions while operating the excavator.
It’s a move that JCB believes sets it further apart from the competition and reinforces its commitment to have the easiest and most comfortable backhoe to operate.
Loading and excavating with Dual Drive is said to be an absolute game changer for operator ease of use, which is why the company has standardised this functionality on premium models.
Using experience from the wheeled loader market, JCB has also adopted a single lever 6-in-1 loader control lever as standard on all manual control machines, allowing operators to control the loader and transmission with one hand and the steering with the other, without the need to use the column shift. A proportional switch on the side of the lever operates the 6-in-1 clamshell function. With a large capacity shovel, autoshift transmission and return-to-dig function, it is possible to load a truck in as little as five minutes.
A switch is incorporated into the loader lever for transmission directional control, in addition to the standard column shift control. As in JCB’s Loadall telescopic handlers, the column switch maintains priority over the loader lever switch.
To simplify angle setting of the 6-in-1 shovel for grading work, JCB has introduced a return to grade function on all servo control machines. With activation through a switch on the side console, the operator simply opens the clam shovel, before moving the loader lever to the right. The system automatically stops the shovel rotation when it reaches the optimum angle for grading.
With widespread adoption of laser levelling systems across the industry, JCB has added a 2D laser receiver mount to the front loader torsion box. A mounting pole can be installed and extended to suit various types and sizes of receiver. This allows the operator to set grade depth and to grade more accurately while reducing time taken and fuel used. A 2D laser can increase grading accuracy to within 10mm, offering the operator up to a 25% time saving over standard manual grade control. The 4CX can level and grade 50- tonnes of stone 63% faster, using 73% less fuel, than a 13-tonne excavator.
JCB’s integrated quick hitch with forks, which allows the shovel to be removed for dedicated fork use with a 2,000kg lifting capacity, has been upgraded with a 220mm wider fork carrier, to improve stability of wider loads. The forks now sit outside of the carrier frame, making it easier to reach the forks and to stow after use. Hydraulic 1CX and 1CXT backhoe loaders, working in tandem moving materials on site. 2021 2024 The latest generation Dual Drive JCB backhoe loader is launched couplings are also repositioned for easier access, to reduce changeover time. Rubber mounts have been introduced to reduce noise between the forks and the frame, while the wiring harness and hoses are repositioned for improved protection.
A twin camera and screen option is now offered with the integrated forks, for improved visibility when re-handling materials. An anti-misting camera has been integrated into the quick hitch frame, providing improved visibility of the forks and the load, especially at ground level. A second camera, mounted in the roof, allows the operator to see the quick hitch bar, making it easier to change attachments, while a 7in colour screen to the right-hand side of the front console can be switched to show the feed from either camera.
Road warrior
A standard six-speed Autoshift transmission has replaced all manual and Powershift transmissions on the 3CX and 4CX. Transforming roading and loading performance, TorqueLock has also become standard, reducing travel times by up to 10% and improving fuel efficiency by 25%. The floor-mounted manual gear lever has been substituted for a simple column switch, with automatic gear changing through fourth, fifth and sixth gears. Loading is also made easier, with a kick down switch now mounted on the floor, which automatically drops a gearfrom second to first for maximum tractionand shovel penetration.
All 3CX, 4CX and 5CX models now benefit from the standard fit of eight LEDwork lights, four to the front and four to the rear of the machine. Offering 1,000 lumens oflight each, these work lights improve visibility all-round the machine in poor conditions. A 10 LED higher powered work light package remains available as an option.
A seat interlock has been introduced on joystick machines, to avoid the possibility of longer joystick levers hitting the steering wheel when the operator turns the seat. The seat will now only rotate when the steering column is in the fully retracted position, while the steering column foot release remains on the floor of the cab.
JCB has included a host of smaller upgrades into the backhoe loader range, including simplified excavator quick hitch activation, the option of new 20in Michelin Power CL tyres on 3CX and 3CX Plus models, a new seat belt warning feature and a green beacon socket for the UK market.
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