Jcb 3cx eco ,grading issues!

[Simon edwards]

Hello all,I’ve been inactive on here for some time due to a difficult couple of years but am looking forward to getting involved again.Apologies for my absense.
We have recently added a few machines to our small fleet,the main addition being a 2014 jcb 3cx eco on sticks ,potentially to replace my old 2002 contractor.
Machine is very tight and tidy and initially nice to use until I started fine grading a road!I am finding it a hell of a battle to grade,it’s hard to explain what’s wrong,just seems to lack the last bit of finesse to achieve a proper finish.
I’ ve been operating jakes for 30+ years and have never struggled with a machine like this.I am hoping it’s just me and a few more hours might iron it out.
I have noticed a sort of hissing noise from around the valve chest area even when the machine is idling,initially assumed this is normal on these?
Has anyone on here any experience of this age machine.?
Really not quite sure what to do if this is normal ,I do’nt fancy turning up to job’s knowing I can’t quite finish to the standard I want.
Any help much appreciated.

 

[doobin]

Welcome back mate, it's good to see you here again. I hope things are looking up for you now.

I have very little backhoe experience, but I know that grading with the eco machines has been the source of many threads and plenty of machines being moved on in favour of older models...

 

[Simon edwards]

Cheers Doobin,yeah things are good now thanks.
Yes that is my fear that the machine ’is what it is’,to be fair I bought it very quickly as it is in such good condition and there is’nt much about that looks even half tidy.

 

[Regy53]

Has somthing to do with the check valves

 

[Simon edwards]

Thanks Ross,the machine does’nt have check valves.
Have you dealt with any similar age eco‘s that have graded normally?

 

[GazCro]

I have a feeling the word "eco" is the clue. Generally means lower power less oil flow etc.

 

[JD450A]

I have a feeling the word "eco" is the clue. Generally means lower power less oil flow etc.

Eco = s**t.

Get a permanent marker pen, cross it out and write Max. Probably won't do anything but might make you feel better

 

[Simon edwards]

Maybe cross out JCB and stencil on CAT as well and see what that does!,

 

[Nick...]

Maybe cross out JCB and stencil on CAT as well and see what that does!,

I wouldent.i had a cat 432e and it was a complete pile of shite and could never grade with that either.was so bad finnings took it back and then made me wait months fir my money.
nick...

 

[Simon edwards]

Hello Nick,I have to admit my first choice if I have to go new would be Cat but I haven’t’ even sat in one since a short play at SED back in the early nineties!
Our local NH dealer has a new machine in stock to try but I don’t’ really want to go brand new if I can help it.might be as well just refurbing my old machine,still clinging to a chance of there being a rectifiable issue with the eco but the opinions so far are’nt encouraging.

 

[hiluxman]

I belive there is a little restrictor in the valve block, take it out and refit the pipes without and jobs sorted.

Unfortunately I've not got specifics but I've heard a few people do it. Try one of the Facebook groups someone on there is bound to know

 

[Simon edwards]

Thank you sir!
Might be a glimmer of hope then,I dont’ have a Facebook account but my wife does so she will no doubt enjoy looking into this for me!

 

[charlie2]

there are restrictors in the outlets from spools i was on a 2014 contractor and it was shite to try and grade with it did have check valves though the restrictors got taken out but it was never really good for fine grading. jcbs answer was i drove it wrong, but they could not tell me how to drive it right check valves on stick machines bugger the flows up, servo machines seem unaffected, you can work around it but its bloody frustrating having to, from memory its mainly on dipper spool there is an adaptor that lenghthens the outlet part the restrictor is in there sure its a flat disc or washer type of thing. apart from that it was a decent machine.

 

[Simon edwards]

Thanks Charlie,
I agree ,other than this I like the machine but as an owner op the quality of finish is all I portant for repeat work and like you say very frustrating to try and compensate for.Hopefully this will be the same as your contractor and be a fix.Hopefully!

 

[Jimbo69]

Is that about the time they had 3 pumps and the 3rd pump cut about above a certain revs? I had 2 2011 machines on sticks like that, complete pain to grade with as couldn’t get enough flow. I’ve heard of some of the older machines getting modified so the pumps didn’t cut out, I’m not sure if that would be an option on yours.

 

[Simon edwards]

Cheers Jimbo,
I must confess I have no idea,but will do some research on the spec.It’s reassuring to be getting some potential fixes!It’s a bloody frustrating feeling thinking you’ve spent a big chunk on a lemon when you should know better!

 

[Nick...]

there are restrictors in the outlets from spools i was on a 2014 contractor and it was shite to try and grade with it did have check valves though the restrictors got taken out but it was never really good for fine grading. jcbs answer was i drove it wrong, but they could not tell me how to drive it right check valves on stick machines bugger the flows up, servo machines seem unaffected, you can work around it but its bloody frustrating having to, from memory its mainly on dipper spool there is an adaptor that lenghthens the outlet part the restrictor is in there sure its a flat disc or washer type of thing. apart from that it was a decent machine.

This was pretty much the issue I had with my cat432e but that was servo controlled.could use boom or dipper but not at same time.eventually had cat experts out who told me I had no idea what I was doing,after 25 years of site work.id never bu another cat product or support or do business with finnings,tossers
nick...

 

[Left hooker]

Plant hire firm up from us had this issue with 10 new 3cxs that year so sent the lot back for new ones
Was the valve block that was not ment for the eco models and for the export models for likes of India that weren't up to those levels of emissions and had different pump setup

 

[Nick...]

I’m amazed companies expect people to put up with this s**t when spending huge sums of money
nick...

 

[Simon edwards]

It is mental when you are seriously considering spending £70 k + and accepting that chopping it in at the end of warranty is reasonable! My 2002 contractor has been brilliant an absolute testament to jcb at the time.It’s so wrong that you cannot buy a machine,van ,lorry whatever with a reasonable long term view,but these are the times we live in I guess!