Backhoe’s again!

Furniss

Furniss

Well-known member
They have, they did a 3cx super(circa 1996/1998 I think) which had 24” wheels like the telehandler, 4cx runs on 28” which are also narrower than the standard 3cx rear 26’ wheels, unless you spec extra wide which I think reduces turning circle yet again..

I seem to remember the 4cx has a larger turning circle then a 3cx, standard sitemaster on 18” front wheels turn on a 6pence, especially if you dab the independent brakes!
They had a 4cx where I used to work in late 90"s ....it wasn't well liked and the steering used to play up ...remember the jokes about coming down lane back to the yard whilst looking out of the side window🤷

With regards to equal wheels I seem to remember it being bought with the idea that it would travel better on the land drainage jobs ( the ones where we had to drag gravel cart and tractor alongside the trenchless with the backhoe )
But I don't remember it being any improvement - used to be thought of as a bit of a yellow elephant at our place.
 
GazCro

GazCro

Well-known member
They had a 4cx where I used to work in late 90"s ....it wasn't well liked and the steering used to play up ...remember the jokes about coming down lane back to the yard whilst looking out of the side window🤷

With regards to equal wheels I seem to remember it being bought with the idea that it would travel better on the land drainage jobs ( the ones where we had to drag gravel cart and tractor alongside the trenchless with the backhoe )
But I don't remember it being any improvement - used to be thought of as a bit of a yellow elephant at our place.
Old lad had a 4cx sent up from the factory in 1995 when his new 3cx was back there to be fixed (it wasn't fixed even after 3 trips back to the factory but I won't go on) and f me the steering had a mind of it's own. He ended up one day having to park on the verge on the other side of the a66 from which he was travelling on as mid way round a long bend it decided crab was a good idea!
 
Furniss

Furniss

Well-known member
Yeah ....I can't just remember the details, but a workaround was found when it used to freak out that got everything in line again 🙂
 
6

6feetdown

Well-known member
To be honest the residual is’nt my biggest concern as I intend to keep A new machine for at least 5 years (working on extended warranties)hopefully closer to ten,by that point the residual becomes a bit irrelevant and from what I can see you are talking probably a 10k ish difference between jcb and other makes.
On that I have’nt overlooked jcb,I will see what they come up with next week,we have had them since the 70’s and I’ve run 4 myself the previous 3 being amazing machines and our 02 project 12 was still my main machine until recently and as for residual value it’s worth pretty much what we paid for it 12 years ago but I would guess an 02 new Holland in the same condition would’nt be too much less.
 
GazCro

GazCro

Well-known member
Yeah ....I can't just remember the details, but a workaround was found when it used to freak out that got everything in line again 🙂
When the one we had here threw a fit the relays behind the dash used to go mad clicking away. I think in fairness it was a development machine but to send it out as a replacement for a brand new full spec 3cx was poor form imho.
Ironically on an earlier topic a barn full of hay caught fire while the 4cx was here and fire service couldn't put it out and it wasn't ideal to leave it to burn (though they probably should have). Father ended up going and grabbing all hay out of barn and spreading it out in a field so they could get it under control with front bucket and the bigger front wheels were the difference between getting in and out the field everytime or not. At the same time it was the perfect example of why not to buy one as the actual perfect job for one was rare enough not warrant one over a 3cx.
 
D

DaveDCB

Well-known member
Contractor I know has 2 4cx’s for pushing stone out, they are good for that. I used to follow them back on the road and they’d be all over the place. My telehandler does sometimes feel like I’m going sideways down the yard 🤣
 
Bri963

Bri963

Well-known member
You can get a cat 434 which is basically a 432 with equal tyres and 3cx comparison.

The cat 444 is the 4cx equivalent.
434 is power shuttle, powershift or powershift/auto shift optional, 444 is power shift/auto shift as standard. Same engine/power and frame.

The equal wheel machines are a couple of tonnes heavier, but don’t have independent brakes. However, personally I’ve only ever needed to unlock the brakes on any backhoe a couple of times. Get in that habit with older machines (without four-wheel braking) and you soon find you can’t stop in a straight line.
 
S

Smiffy

Well-known member
Contractor I know has 2 4cx’s for pushing stone out, they are good for that. I used to follow them back on the road and they’d be all over the place. My telehandler does sometimes feel like I’m going sideways down the yard 🤣
Drove a brand new jcb 541 70 demo machine. It came out the dealers yard going sideways.
Kramer/Claas are the best. They re zero every time you turn past straight.
 
D

DaveDCB

Well-known member
I guess bottom line is @Simon edwards buy the one that you feel happier with out of the lot, best way is to get them to lend you a demo to use on your own jobs, if they don’t do that Personally I wouldn’t bother parting with the cash!
 
Simon edwards

Simon edwards

Well-known member
Thanks Dave,I am going to try the NH again in the next few days,an hour in the corner of their yard on rough patch of ground will give me an idea of wether or not I can happily go foreward,the big plus is hopefully their back up as they are very close to home and have a lot of fitters based there.
I’m waiting for an Indicitive price from JCB,hopefully tomorrow.
 
D

DaveDCB

Well-known member
It does look pretty tasty!! Definitely still a on-road machine!
 

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Simon edwards

Simon edwards

Well-known member
Bit of an update ,had a demo on a4cx today.
Not the machine I would buy but got a good feel for the servos,a very new experience for me on a backhoe.
Have to say I liked it !A totally different experience. After more than 30 years on jcb sticks my eyes have been opened a little to a different style of operating,’might just be the way forward’.
The NH I briefly tried was on pods and did’nt feel as good,you were still a bit hunched forward as with sticks.
Bit of thinking to do!
 
Simon edwards

Simon edwards

Well-known member
Have made the decision to go jcb,(in the right thread now Dave).
Ordered a 3cx plus hopefully coming early November,
The lead time was a surprise as was the deal to be fair.
I got the impression they are trying to push backhoes a bit,demoed a 4cx was met by a demo op from the factory who seemed to be doing a fair bit of market research with owner ops .
 
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