JCB 3CX - Buying Tips

[Biglad]

Hi all, 

 

I've been studying various sites online, looking to buy a JCB 3CX for various jobs around my place.

 

I've been looking at what I would think to be 90's models (by body shape... series 3 I guess??)... but I know little about them, so looking for any advise on what to avoid.

 

I've seen manual boxes, shuttle boxes - not 100% on what to look for there.  Also Project 8 and Project 12.... unsure on what those terms mean.

 

Any advise greatly appreciated to avoid buying the wrong thing.

 

Many thanks.

[markc]

This all depends on your budget.  Engines are bullet proof. Whatever you buy expect it to need the brakes looking at, a few new hydraulic hoses etc. Steering pins/bushes wear but that only really affects road driving ... as does a worn steering actuator resulting in having to rotate the steering wheel slowly anticlockwise in order to drive in a straight line.

If it starts, drives forward and back and the hydraulics work you wont go far wrong. Manual box i find easier on old machines and less problematic

[Biglad]

Cheers fella.

 

Budget sweetspot is £15k+VAT... I started looking at £10k but that seemed to be the crap end of series 3, so I moved up a bit.  Hours are all over the place, but who can believe that dial on a 25(ish)yr old machine.  I came to the conclusion judgment on condition, not hrs, is probably the way to go.

 

Only other worry is not buying something stolen (if not a trader).

[joe90]

I bought a 3cx for £7k a few years ago, a bit of a nail but still working. Yes they are bullet proof, look out for rams leaking, they can be repaired but the main back actor one requires a crane to lift it off which can be expensive. Mine has been invaluable BUT, they weigh over 8 tons and will carve up the ground if it is at all soft, mine has been buried a few times.

[markc]

8 minutes ago, Biglad said:

Cheers fella.

 

Budget sweetspot is £15k+VAT... I started looking at £10k but that seemed to be the crap end of series 3, so I moved up a bit.  Hours are all over the place, but who can believe that dial on a 25(ish)yr old machine.  I came to the conclusion judgment on condition, not hrs, is probably the way to go.

 

Only other worry is not buying something stolen (if not a trader).

You are definitely on the right lines, budget is reasonable. Unlikely you will land on an old stolen 3C/3CX due to transport.

[Iceverge]

What kind of jobs are you hoping to do? 

 

I have a Massey 860 and find it excellent. New Holland and CAT also make good machines. 

 

If you want to go digging/grading/craning an excavator is far superior. If you want to lift and move materials a telehandler is mile's ahead. 

 

If I have my way I'll sell my digger and buy a dedicated loader if some sort. 

 

I'll then stockpile my digging jobs and rent an excavator every couple of months for a weekend. 

Edited February 9, 2021 by Iceverge

[Biglad]

On 09/02/2021 at 17:53, Iceverge said:

What kind of jobs are you hoping to do? 

 

I have a Massey 860 and find it excellent. New Holland and CAT also make good machines. 

 

If you want to go digging/grading/craning an excavator is far superior. If you want to lift and move materials a telehandler is mile's ahead. 

 

If I have my way I'll sell my digger and buy a dedicated loader if some sort. 

 

I'll then stockpile my digging jobs and rent an excavator every couple of months for a weekend. 

 

I need it as an allrounder.... I've got building projects coming up, so footings etc.  I've got some land so earthmoving and ditching.  I need to landscape round the house so for that also, and shifting a few pallets every now and again.  I've considered a telehandler and an excavator and neither are really what I want.

 

I'm also looking at CAT/Massey/New Holland etc... but JCB's are thinker on the ground.

Edited February 13, 2021 by Biglad

[PeterW]

@Biglad have you ever driven a 3CX..? They aren’t the panacea to fulfilling every job, and are limited in performance in certain circumstances. For example with the load forks on (assuming you get a 3 in 1 bucket) then your reach off the front is limited to just over a metre so loading out scaffolding needs proper planning. 
 

For ditching and trenching you will need 3 buckets minimum - budget £1-2k for a decent set that have teeth, top end of you want quick hitch capable buckets. 
 

And if you have driven a mini digger, the first couple of days on a backhoe will infuriate you as the controls are different ..!! Takes a while but swapping between the two can be fun !

[joe90]

Conversely, I taught myself to drive mine (badly at first), it came with three buckets but bought a fourth fir a particular job. It’s weight was my only drawback (with my boggy ground?) I will be getting rid of mine after this summer when (if) I get the last of the landscaping done and have been told I will get most of my money back (plus they are the best “boys toys” to have, I just love using it!).

[Timedout]

JCB are great numb things, crap at accurately digging and mess up the site. Even their mini diggers are awful with really jerky hydraulics. Don’t buy a digger. I don’t even hire for self drive any longer. Hire a machine and operator. The operator is the key. A good operator can dig accurately and scrape level. You will get three times the productivity and a better job. Try the sole trader type operators not the bigger companies and not a highways approved contractor. The small guys all seem to work on a salary replacement business model or can’t do the maths to price for amortising the cost and maintenance of the machine. Hence they are cheap.