JCB 3CX: technical specifications, review, description

Excavators

The English company JC BAMFORD EXCAVATORS LIMITED (JCB), founded in 1945, offers on the international market more than 300 types of construction machinery, including: earthmoving, loading and transport equipment. Backhoe loaders bearing the JCB logo are mostly assembled in factories in India and are supplied to customers from Australia to South America through the company's 150 dealerships. The reliability, efficiency and durability of the units were appreciated by builders, utility workers, and road workers in Russia.

JCB 3CX technical specifications, weight

The basic model and its modification can be equipped with various attachments. These include buckets (standard, jaw, conical, deep, for digging ditches), and forks. The universal 6-in-1 jaw bucket deserves special attention; it digs, moves, loads, grabs, levels the soil and fills ditches. The maximum digging depth of the JCB 3CX excavator according to SAE (distance from the ground surface to the bottom wall of the bucket) with a standard handle is 4.24 m. For the 3CX Super model, this figure is 4.37 m. If the machine is additionally equipped with a telescopic handle, the digging depth will increase to 5.46 and 5.5 m respectively. Ground clearance (0.37 and 0.33 m) allows special equipment to work on uneven surfaces.

Where are they used and how does the JCB backhoe loader work?

Figure 1 3CX - multifunctionality and mobility
A multifunctional machine, the executive equipment of which is equipped with a hydraulically controlled loading bucket and a boom mechanism for an excavator bucket. The attachment units allow for quick replacement of working tools with additional devices (hydraulic hammer, hydraulic shears, drilling equipment, grab loading devices).

Scope of application

The machines are effective in carrying out:

• excavation work, when forming pits for foundations, constructing ditches and trenches;
• planning work to level the surface of sites;
• loading soil mass into vehicles;
• distribution of bulk construction materials across the site;
• transportation of goods in a bucket over short distances;
• towing cargo.

Engine

The 3CX series equipment, which is intended for the Russian market, is equipped with 4-cylinder JCB Dieselmax 4.4 liter power units (Tier II or Tier III). The turbocharged engine found on the 3CX Super excavator is more powerful (92 vs. 85 hp on the base 3CX model) and has more torque (400 vs. 320 Nm). Depending on the operating mode, fuel consumption on 3CX varies from 6 to 10 liters, on Super - from 9 to 15 liters per hour. This efficiency is achieved thanks to increased torque in the lower rev range.

Photo source: skl.ruJCB 3CX Super is the first backhoe loader with a sleek one-piece hood

How does a backhoe loader work?

Figure 2 JCB 3CX device
1 - bucket hydraulic cylinder; 2 – power plant hood; 3 – exhaust pipe; 4 – boom; 5 – boom handle; 6 – connecting rod of the bucket; 7 – excavator bucket; 8 – boom rotation unit; 9 – rear axle; 10 – transmission units; 11 – hydraulic cylinder of the bucket boom; 12 – front axle; 13 – bucket boom.

Modifications

There are several modifications of the 3CX backhoe loader. They differ from each other in configuration and the ability to install one or another attachment. The most popular is 3CX Super.

The main thing that distinguishes the Super model from the standard “troika” is the modified chassis and wheels of the same size. They provide greater maneuverability and load capacity, however, such additional advantages will only be needed if the special vehicle will mainly serve as a loader. At the same time, the basic excavator has better maneuverability due to its small front wheels. The turning circle at the edge of the bucket without braking for the 3CX is 10.4 m, for the 3CX Super it is almost a meter larger - 11.15 m. On the outer wheels, the turning circle with braking reaches 6.9 and 8 meters, respectively.

Photo source: skl.ruJCB 3CX with a double-jaw bucket has been produced since 1980

There are also differences in the cross-country ability of the equipment in question. The approach angle of the “classic British” 3CX is 66°, while its Super modification has 74°. The departure angles and at the top of the obstacle between the wheels do not differ so significantly: 20° versus 19° and 120° versus 118°.

Otherwise, the 3CX backhoe loader is no different from the Super model. Both special vehicles can be equipped with either a synchronized 4-speed JCB Syncroshuttle gearbox, which allows you to change gears without jerking, or a JCB Powershift gearbox with one gear shift and reverse lever on the steering column.

Photo source: skl.ru Photo JCB 3CX Super

As an option, JCB 3CX backhoe loaders can be equipped with an SRS compensation system (softens and absorbs shocks), a Torque Lock torque fixing system (reduces fuel consumption by 25%, increases uphill speed by 10% and increases boom reach by the same amount) and the POWERSLIDE carriage shift function. The latter allows you to move the carriage with equipment in the transverse direction along the rear frame of the supports.

Stages of improvement of the modern modification of the JCB 3СХ

Production of the 3СХ product began in 1980:

1. From 1980 to 1991, the 200 series was produced with the factory project number 5; in 1981, the first Sitemaster project 6 with a jaw bucket and a telescopic handle appeared. In 1985, the Hammermaster entered the market with a Perkins engine and a more comfortable cab. The 3CX base had rear-wheel drive, but already in the first generation, all-wheel drive chassis with a front axle connection appeared. 74 thousand products were produced.
2. In 1991-1997, second generation units were assembled (project 8). The operator's cabin and controls have been optimized, and the installation locations of the fuel and hydraulic fluid tanks have changed. A hydromechanical gearbox clutch, forward and reverse clutches, and wheel axles appeared. The production of a more powerful Contractor unit has begun, which received a powerful hydraulic system and a diesel engine developed by JCB. In 1995, the 3CX Super was released with steered wheels on two axles and increased digging depth. More than 35 thousand second-generation vehicles have been delivered to the market.
3. In the third generation (project 12, carried out in 1997-2002), 45 thousand units were manufactured. The appearance of the products changed little. The cabin has been strengthened and the controls modified. Servo mechanisms for switching operating modes of units and joysticks have been introduced. A new boom carriage installation unit has been developed.
4. As part of Project 21 (2002-2010), the fourth generation 3CX received new glazing for the operator's cabin, additional electronic monitoring and control systems for the engine, transmission, hydraulic system, and executive bodies. Digital displays have been introduced into the dashboard, and servo control has been optimized.
5. The fifth generation of cars has been produced since 2010. The company has completely switched to installing its own diesel engine, the Powerslide system in the transmission has been modernized, and hydraulics and controls have been improved.

Operator's cabin

It’s worth saying a few words about the cabin of the popular “Englishman”. The glazing area is 6.4 m2. The rear and side windows open fully or partially. The noise level in the cabin is the lowest among classmates - 73 dB. An adjustable seat with mechanical suspension, a convenient location of control levers, a radio system and a radio with two speakers, a heater and window defogger with three speeds, wipers and washers for the front and rear windows, large rear-view mirrors - all this creates comfortable working conditions for the operator.

Features of the JCB 3CX device

1. The JCB driveline and powertrain are integrated into the frame for structural strength and optimum performance.
2. The power unit is four-cylinder Perkins or JCB diesel engines with 4 strokes with a power of 61.6-72.8 kW, water-cooled. The engines are quite economical, reliable, and meet environmental requirements.
3. Rear-wheel drive or switchable all-wheel drive. The front axle suspension is single-point, allowing the unit to skew +/- 16°, which increases cross-country ability and maneuverability. Both axles are equipped with proportional torque distribution units - JCB Max-Tgas. Pneumatic wheels are installed both of equal size along the axes and of different diameters.
4. Transmissions of mechanical, hydromechanical and automatic types are mounted on the machines. Gearbox 4-speed Syncro Shuttle. The built-in torque converter and electric control allow you to switch modes on the fly without a break in power. The reverse mode is activated by an electrical circuit with a switch on the steering column. Power mode switching using synchronizers or the TorqueLock system with torque converter locking.
5. The hydraulic system is operated by high-performance gear or axial piston pumps. The flow speed controller (HSC) optimizes the performance of the actuators. In transport mode, one of the main hydraulic pumps is automatically switched off.
6. The steering is hydraulically supported and duplicated by the emergency system. Works in two modes: impact on the wheels of one axis; impact on all wheels.
7. The brake system is assembled according to a disc system. The discs operate in axle housing oil. Using a servo drive and a three-position switch, wheel braking modes are selected:

• 2 presenters;
• 2 or 4;
• 4 presenters;
• everyone.

The hydraulic circuits of the brake system are made separately for each side, which allows you to turn “on the spot”.

1. The cabin protects the driver from falling objects and in the event of a rollover - the FOPS/ROPS system. Glazing and light-emitting devices provide a complete overview of the working area. The position of the chair is set by the operator. controls are located in accordance with ergonomic requirements.
2. Attachments. Standard equipment:

• two-jaw bucket;
• bucket manipulator;
• hydraulic outriggers;
• boom structures of excavator equipment, fixed-size boom handle.
• backhoe bucket.

The loading bucket with a width of 2235 and 2350 mm can be equipped with a QUICKHITCH quick-change carriage and is controlled by 4 hydraulic cylinders. The boom equipment of the excavator bucket is supplied in regular and telescopic versions. At the request of the customer, the rotary carriage is equipped with a system of displacement towards the sides - OWERSLIDE. Bucket capacity 0.06-0.3 m3.

1. Electronic components that improve control and management of the machine are not included in the standard package and are installed according to the buyer’s order.

• JCB TORQUE LO – torque fixing system provides: prevention of torque converter blocking at high loads; increasing the speed of operation of the executive equipment, saving up to 25% of fuel.
• ANDVANCED EASYCONTR - an alternative hydraulic system with controls that are more comfortable for the operator, allows you to increase the pace of work operations and use fuel more efficiently.
• EASYCONTRO – servo drive system for controls.
• SR COMPENSATION SYSTEM – when using a hydraulic accumulator, shock loads on the chassis are absorbed when driving over uneven surfaces with a loaded bucket.
• POWERSLIDE is a lateral displacement system for the rotary carriage assembly for installing excavator equipment.

Purpose

The JCB 3CX backhoe loader is a multifunctional machine that can handle quite a wide variety of tasks on its own. This explains the high demand for this model. The equipment is traditionally used in construction organizations, industrial sectors, public utilities, road repair and dismantling work, and sometimes in agriculture.

The JCB 3CX performs such types of work as creating embankments of soil and other bulk materials; moving various materials over certain distances; loading and unloading; leveling the working area, as well as clearing it of snow or industrial debris; digging trenches and pits of any depth; work site layout; excavation; destruction of concrete and reinforced concrete objects; opening the asphalt layer of road sections and much more.

Peculiarities

The JCB 3CX backhoe loader can boast of its high maneuverability, which was obtained not only due to the rather small overall dimensions of the machine, but also due to the ability to make turns using the rear wheels. Namely, when this function is turned on, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction of the front wheels, which greatly facilitates the work process in small areas. But it is worth noting that this function is activated using a special toggle switch when the front axle wheels are level.

The mirrors and windshield of the car have a special heating and blowing system, which is often used when working at low temperatures. The vibration and sound insulation of the cabin is performed at the highest level, due to which the level of extraneous noise does not exceed 73 decibels. Heating and air conditioning are also present. The operator's seat is mounted on air suspension, which allows the operator not to feel strong shaking when working on uneven surfaces. This seat is also heated. Each control lever of the attachment is in the form of a joystick, which are located on the sides of the seat. If necessary, you can open the rear window, which will be moved under the roof of the car.

When creating this backhoe loader, the manufacturer used its own special technologies, which allowed the JCB 3CX to become not only an economical, but also a more productive machine. Namely, the excavator has the following useful functions:

1. EcoRoad. Thanks to this feature, specific fuel consumption can be reduced by up to 25 percent. This is due to the use of a hydraulic transformer that has a lock.
2. EcoLoad. This function allows you to set the hydraulic system to the required operating speed, which also helps to improve traction at low speeds of the power unit. It is worth noting that by using this technology in work, it is possible to achieve fairly low fuel consumption.
3. EcoDig. This technology includes a hydraulic system with three pumps, which, at low engine speeds, increase the pressure in the entire hydraulic system. Thanks to this, the efficiency of the machine increases and fuel consumption is also reduced by 15 percent when performing digging work.
4. PowerSlide. This system uses a special hydraulic drive to move the rear linkage of the excavator along a guide. Also, to prevent loads from spilling out of the bucket, the machine is equipped with a vibration compensator for the rear linkage, referred to as SRS. It contains one cylinder of dry nitrogen and a hydraulic accumulator.

Price

You can purchase a new JCB 3CX backhoe loader at a cost ranging from three million rubles to four million Russian rubles. In this case, the price varies depending on factors such as the year of production, equipment (including additional attachments and equipment), and the version (modified or basic).

Used equipment can be purchased at a cost ranging from two million rubles to three million Russian rubles. The price may vary depending on the year of production, general technical condition, installed attachments, as well as the number of engine hours worked.