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One million and counting as JCB marks major backhoe milestone

JCB, the creator and world’s number one manufacturer of the backhoe loader, is celebrating production of the one millionth machine. Through constant evolution, JCB has become synonymous with the concept of a wheeled machine, with a bucket at one end and a shovel at the other. Over 73 years, the backhoe loader has been the foundation, the very cornerstone of construction and plant hire businesses across the world.

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, 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.

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. The company is currently working on an innovative hydrogen engine, that will take the backhoe loader boldly 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 most efficient, productive, versatile and reliable backhoe loader in the world, continues to provide customers with one machine that can carry out a multitude of tasks.

The JCB 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.

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