JCB 3cx Pro Review

Review of the 2023 JCB 3cx Pro backhoe loader

[@top1-]

What this machine really needs is the option of driving from the backactor side. huddig and Lännen has got it.

[@AlexKall]

JCB just came out with that, better late than never! 🙂

[@DimPot]

I find an old 92 model 3 cx extra dig 4x4, and buy it for 7.500 euro's, no electronics, all functions are mechanical, it has torque converter, and the oil cooler is on front of the water cooler, (not the problematic water cooled oil cooler model) its a beast 75 hp non turbo charged Perkins engine. She push great and works perfectly with only some little oil leakages

[@Joes1989]

Excellent video as always Ollie! The pro is definitely the best looking model they currently make for me!

[@Olliegunns]

Its a lovely looking machine, I really like the yellow roof and rear mud guards, works really well with the black

[@DJC995]

Hi Ollie Nice review Looks a good machine Thanks again

[@jameshockey6916]

The new 3cx does look look great.. such a shame they really don't put more thought into them! As a great British brand I would love to like JCB products... but sadly I haven't found one that's convinced me yet. They have some nice features but personally I find all the other manufacturers blow them out the water with most products. I had a 1 year old 13 ton 360 on hire last month and the delivery driver left me with a paperclip, when I asked what's it for??? He said it may not start everytime so use the paperclip to jump across the terminals on the plug under the seat!!!

[@johnhiggins296]

Good review i drive a 013 3cx, They should put the jack controls on the levers

[@d4c24a]

I turned the pro + down as you cannot have 18" front , steering lock is dire on 20" for the work i do , hopefully have a plus with 6 speed 40k , 81kw engine coming , on sticks too

[@richardbishop7428]

Was trying to find a pic of my JCB 3CMK11....whatever you can do with that 3cx was absolutely possible with a proper JCB 3CMK11, perfect cab, perfect comfort, perfect machine, all JCB have done is make the machine so much more expensive.

[@vincentnormand2882]

Nice video of the JCB 3cx pro 🥰

[@andychapman9687]

What are the main differences between the 3cx, 4cx and 5cx - thanks

[@tractors-plant-machinery]

Sound honest review 👍. It looks like it has some decent features, especially the kick down pedal for front bucket work. I to find the front forks terrible on the quick hitch model, for three reasons. Primarily its a total ball ache and waste of time unplugging pipes and removing the bucket for a couple of lifts, secondly the visibility is poor, and the third reason its to narrow when carrying pipes, beams, telegraph poles etc. I'm thinking of having the fork mounts welded on my bucket and removing the hitch mounted forks altogether. I love the front hitch, it's just a massive shame jcb didn't have enough forethought to make the 3cx hitch a q fit so it intergrated with telehandler attachments. I'm having a jcb/volvo industrial -to- jcb q fit adaptor headstock made up, also having a euro 8 and trima adapter made too so I can use the tractor loader attachments on the 3cx.

[@Olliegunns]

Thanks, I did ask why it wasn't Qfit and the reply was that they didn't want people using some of the larger telehandler attachments on the backhoe as the arms aren't rated for that capacity. But like you, doing a bit of farming as well, I see it as a missed opportunity, and an easy way to make more use of the machine with the range of attachments already available for telehandlers

[@ElliottHurst]

q-fit on this would be a game changer

[@tractors-plant-machinery]

@@Olliegunns the hitch on the 3cx is stronger than the q fit hitch, as the bottom pins are 15mm thicker. Hopefully I'll have my adapter headstocks soon, and I can make my own judgement about how much stress I put on the arms. I'm looking for a q fit fly jib to help when I'm putting building up.

[@tractors-plant-machinery]

@@ElliottHurst I'll be sorted when my q fit adaptor headstock is ready.

[@TheJCBjohn]

My 2006 contractor plus has the 6 speed box in it, only 40k tho still shifts on the road tho better than the standard torque lock ones

[@Olliegunns]

Its the only extra I wish mine had - I know it wouldn't go any faster like this new one does, but the gearing would be better

[@TheJCBjohn]

@@Olliegunns the gearing is spot on I live in hills in wales and it’s loads better than the standard box and kick down button is very handy!

[@michaelorgan9222]

Excellent video... Very informative! Just wondering if you managed to get the 'How To' video clips to play on the information screen after? If so, did they play with or without sound (any speech or music with them)? Thanks

[@Olliegunns]

I cant remember if I tried it again after filming this actually. I don't think there was sound when they worked the first time but I might be wrong.

[@michaelorgan9222]

@@Olliegunns Thanks for your reply... It does not contain sound!

[@nickdent8783]

The issue of rain dripping of roof onto windscreen was a major issue that put me of buying one several years ago.on a dampish day when on demo it drove me mental.why the hell cant they route it to corners

[@Olliegunns]

I really hoped this new roof moulding would have addressed this, but sadly not

[@Scottyhasti]

You need one on sticks mate 😂. Great review Ollie

[@Olliegunns]

Having operated sticks in the past, I admire those who can!

[@SB-dv8ih]

For proper off road work I wish they’d put diff locks on them like other makes do

[@Olliegunns]

Yep, a rear locker would be a great addition, agreed.

[@Ropeman302]

Iv got the old gray cab 3cx and Iv made the front same as that one with quick hitch as I use the pallet folks more than the bucket so Iv put😮 a camera on the front of the arm so you can always see the forks and it work well 👍

[@johnmelhuish3806]

Just for the fun , why don't you test drive a 3C 2 or a Hymac 580c even a B100 drott with JCB backhoe bolted on ! Interesting to watch . Great video as always 👍

[@Olliegunns]

We used to have a 3c on the farm - great old digger, but it was sold in 2018. I actually miss having it around

[@top1-]

it should be equipped with a tilt rotator. Wonder what you can even do with that bucket arsenal..

[@csw671]

Cool vid,, How much does it weigh in at ollie ? Much different on the pro ? Mate just got a new 4cx Pro £££££ eekkk hope to have a play init this week.

[@Olliegunns]

This one was over 9t, I cant remember exactly now what it said on the plate. Look forward to what you think of the pro 4cx

[@ElliottHurst]

I like your visible upset over not having idig and relying on the classic “bloke in the trench” 😉 Can you fit idig or another laser system onto a backhoe like this?

[@Olliegunns]

You can, but its a little restricted with the extending arm, you have to have two settings, either extradig "in" or "out". Which means you could check your work easily enough, but not really see a constant idea of where you are, as you often use the extradig when pulling a grade. I will get it fitted on my current machine and see how I find it, as I already own the system, its only the sensor plates I need for the machine which makes the cost dramatically less to add it to the machine

[@highwayharper]

Great video, where are the cup holders though 😂

[@Olliegunns]

How many have you got in that pothole pro?

[@highwayharper]

@@Olliegunns ONE, so count yourself lucky 😂

[@lucaviner265]

Could you recomend it for a first time earthmoving/landscaping business, or is it better just to finance a skid steer and say a 3.4T mini? I want to start a business like yours when I finish school and get some more qualifications.

[@paulf2529]

Your best hireing at first and see what sort of work you get.

[@Olliegunns]

Hi Luca, sorry its taken me some time to get back to you on this. I intend to do a video on how I got started and some tips on things I learned from starting my own business. But Paul is right with his reply to you, when starting a business, you want to keep your costs as low as possible and you are better off negotiating the best hire deals with a local supplier to get you going, especially on bigger bits of kit like excavators and skid steers. They can be hired for not a lot of money per week when you think about how much money they cost to buy, store, maintain and run! Get your business going, see what sort of work you get and what machines you hire the most - and buy that! (if you can afford it) Good luck with it, buying my first digger was something I will never forget and having my name on them makes me feel proud of what I have achieved and shows the customer I am a genuine guy looking to do the best work I can with my clean and well maintained kit.

[@lucaviner265]

Thanks so much for the advice Ollie 😀👍

[@jamesfordjhfcontractingltd1627]

90 k is a lot of money, but when you compare it to a price of a agricultural tractor or top sec agri Telihandler there’s a lot for your money, the 3cx is always going to be a compromise when compared to a 8 ton excavator or a Telihandler but as a all rounder on a building site you can’t beet it’s Swiss army knife ability!

[@Olliegunns]

Thats a good point, all machines have jumped up a price bracket in the last 2 years, and it is technically possible to get a basic 3cx for around 70k - only 5k more than an 8t digger. The pro isnt for everyone, and a lot of the extras this has, arent needed for all - but as an owner operator, its the way I would go, that gearbox is worth 5k at least!

[@jamesfordjhfcontractingltd1627]

@@Olliegunns your find most 8 ton diggers are over 70k now, unless you buy Chinese but that’s another story 🙈

[@dystopik32]

Why dont they change the back so the cab also turns, not 360 but 230-260? surely that would be the best of bot worlds

[@penningtoncolin]

Hi olly used to drive 3cx years ago 94 reg 3cx loved it in approx 2002 boss decided to treat me so we looked at case jcb cat ,cat 432 what a machine it was best back hoe I've ever driven ,power comfort everything I know times moved on but last I've had odd day on a 9year old 3cx eco and same year cat 432 cat ,cat absolute miles better than 3cx

[@richardbishop7428]

24:40

[@shandy5994]

Need air compresor too

[@johnmchardy4502]

So the jcb 3cx is still generally shite what are they playing at with the rain still running down the windscreen and leaking in the cab etc etc and they still can't push like the other makes on the market

[@Olliegunns]

I wouldn't say its shite, there's advantages and disadvantages the 3cx has over some other designs, but it is a bit disappointing that some of the long running issues haven't been addressed yet. Issues that other manufacturers have never had in the first place.

[@cheechU38K]

Is the paint problem because they are made in India? Telehandlers are the same too 😢

[@Olliegunns]

JCB do make backhoes in India, but not these ones. The paint is poor because the prep is non existent! The actual paint finish is good - it just has weaknesses around the laser cut edges in particular - which doesn't take long to get rust under it

[@cheechU38K]

@@Olliegunns hopefully they sort out sharp edges so paint doesn’t flake off. JCB should have warranty for the paint issues on areas that don’t get damaged or wear.

[@Olliegunns]

@@cheechU38K they will repair it under warranty, but it shouldn’t be happening in the first place!

[@cheechU38K]

@@Olliegunns glad they can sort it and yes they do need to get a better paint job and Q/A

[@user-ow7qv6cx8b]

Daylnchraamk❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@kevinjeffery7635]

Your absolutely right. Jcb paint is trash. Had the new pro for 2 years nearly now and rust from the start.

[@Olliegunns]

I've said it so many times, the factory must know, but they refuse to address it - its not as bad as bobcat mind you! The only thing we can do as customers is keep making them fix bad paint under warranty - which they will do! That's the only way I think we are going to get JCB HQ to take it seriously - make them pay to repair it!!!

[@bekabeka71]

£90k for that thing? I’d buy two houses and rent them out in my country 🤣🤦🏻‍♂️

[@martindoherty4843]

jcb, always, prone, to, rust

[@Olliegunns]

Sadly so, I will continue to point it out in my reviews until they take it seriously and address something that is much more important to their customers than maybe they realise

[@bobrose7900]

Weld splatter, rampant rust on seams, cross threaded bolts and poorly fitted panels. JCBs are 10 years old from new. There's no comparison to a Bobcat for instance where build quality is concerned. The typical driver's retort of "well it's only an old JCB" must be printed on their boardroom walls. Until you mention the price and everyone faints or thinks you've got Joe Mug written on your forehead. It is a shame, but for owners who look after their kit, and they do exist, it's an uphill battle that leaves a sour taste in your mouth. All the operational issues you've mentioned can be fixed with a bit of after market DIY, including a remote camera mount, and to be fair, the fitters that I've come across are good, if expensive. There's loads of companies wanting to take their place in the market from Europe, America and China, and a zinc based primer and better quality control would make them the real class leaders, or am I asking too much? Great video.

[@pastorkeri]

I’ve personally fallen out with the quality of jcb machines, particularly the servo machine I find it busy and a bit of a bodge when you switching from front to back , I prefer the towers as on the hidromek or case /new Holland machines , if it wasn’t for the roading speed I wouldn’t touch them

[@njkip]

CAT 432f2......👍👍👍👍

[@Olliegunns]

I'd love to get my hands on one to try

[@njkip]

@@Olliegunns do ollie if you can, I've driven both...always been a fan of JCB, even went on a tour of the factory in Rocster....amazing place!....my preference has shifted since driving a CAT. Love your vids BTW...👍

[@GRS1903]

JCB paint jobs are pathetic, been like that for years, starts to peel every time

[@jano5295]

Jebeni englez!