JCB update 55kW 3CX backhoe loader
Latest machine delivers increased productivity and performance with reduced total cost of ownership
JCB have launched a new 55kW 3CX backhoe loader with EU Stage V compliant engine. The machine is said to deliver improved operator comfort and ease of use, increased productivity and performance, combined with reduced total cost of ownership.
Taking the backhoe loader into a new decade, this latest 3CX has a smart new look and features a revised Command Plus cab with four LED beacons integrated into the cab roof as standard; these can be clearly seen from all angles, improving site safety.
The Command Plus cab features yellow grab handles, for a clear touch point, and larger mirrors for an improved view behind the machine, whilst revised square work lights offer increased adjustment and the LED option now includes up to 10 lights, providing maximum illumination of the working area.
The cab interior provides a new level of comfort and usability. A new seat with headrest is available on the Advanced Easy Control (AEC) model, whilst a revised three-spoke steering wheel provides an improved view of the new front display screen, which comes as standard on the latest 3CX.
The screen shows the speedometer, all warning lights and the selected gear on Powershift models, whilst a side screen provides the operator with increased functionality and information. For the first time JCB will also supply a factory-fit radio with Bluetooth telephone compatibility and USB, AUX and SD card capabilities.
The 55kW Stage V 3CX introduces a range of advanced automation features including Auto Stop, which automatically detects when the machine is no longer in use and shuts down the engine. Auto Stop eliminates engine idling, reducing fuel consumption and cutting emissions. The shutdown delay can be pre-set or adjusted by the operator through the side screen in the cab.
Auto Seat Select is available on machines equipped with servo lever control and automatically recognizes which direction the seat is facing, eliminating the need to select functions as the operator changes from front to rear facing positions.
Also available on servo models, automatic stabilizers now offer not just an auto-raise function, but also an automatic extend setting, stopping as the feet make contact with the ground. Automatic levelling lets the machine rapidly find a horizontal operating position on uneven ground.
Auto Drive has been improved, allowing the operator to automatically select a chosen engine speed when travelling on the road. Operation has been made easier with a new lever mounted beneath the direction selection control.
To reduce unnecessary tyre wear and fuel consumption, the 3CX now comes with Auto 2WD, which switches the transmission from 4WD to 2WD when the additional traction is no longer required. This allows the operator to select 4WD to dig into a pile or a face, where maximum tractive effort is required, but when the machine backs away and starts to travel at speed, the transmission automatically changes to 2WD. The speed at which this change occurs can be set by the operator through the side screen menus.
Additional lighting has been added to illuminate the cab on both sides of the machine around the step area. A timer can be set to automatically dim the lighting when the machine is switched off, or once the door has been closed. The 3CX also benefits from a host of other standard features, including rear light guards, a return-to-dig system, front shovel clam cylinder guards, loader pipework and the loader Smooth Ride System.
The new 3CX is powered by JCB’s latest EU Stage V compliant 3.0-litre diesel engine. Replacing the previous generation 4.4-litre engine, the compact engine delivers 55kW of power and 440Nm of torque, an increase of 10% over the previous model, whilst its smaller capacity and increased efficiency result in up to a 7% fuel saving over the Stage IV 55kW engine in general use.
Moreover, the 3.0-litre JCB engine achieves EU Stage V emissions standards without the need for diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) or any form of exhaust additive. The engine is equipped with a combined diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) and diesel particulate filter (DPF) with an 8,000h operating life. Regeneration is automatically controlled and can be monitored through JCB’s standard LiveLink telematics system.
The engine also benefits from a sealed-for-life crankcase ventilation module and hydraulic tappets, removing the need for manual adjustment. This contributes to lower service and maintenance costs and a cut in total cost of ownership.
