JCB’s Dual Drive technology allows backhoe operators to drive from the excavator position
JCB is taking some of the spin out of the backhoe operation.
Designed to transform the way backhoe operators work, JCB’s Dual Drive system allows the machine to move while remaining seated in the excavator position. This capability eliminates the need to continuously rotate the seat and reposition the machine using the loader controls.
The new system represents the latest evolution in JCB’s seven-decade history of backhoe development, helping operators complete jobs faster, more comfortably and more efficiently.
Dual Drive will be available on the 109hp JCB 3CX and 4CX backhoe models. The system was recently unveiled at the Public Works Expo in Houston in late August.
“Dual Drive is one of those innovations that immediately changes the operator experience,” said James Gill, Product Manager, JCB North America. “For applications such as ditches, trench cleaning, utility facilities and municipal maintenance, operators can now reposition the machine without leaving the excavator controls. It reduces downtime between digging cycles and helps crews get more done in the day.”
Built for public works
Versatility is one of the advantages that define a backhoe. Unlike dedicated excavators, a backhoe can travel between jobs, load materials, dig trenches and perform a wide range of construction, service and maintenance applications with a single machine.
“We continue to expand what a backhoe can do,” Gill said. “Dual Drive gives operators one more reason to choose a backhoe for applications that demand mobility and precision, especially in urban and infrastructure work.”
During backhoe digging applications, operators typically pause periodically to advance the machine, rotate the seat, and switch from excavator controls to loader controls before returning to work.
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Dual Drive eliminates disruption by allowing operators to move the machine while remaining in the excavator’s operating position.
With drive and steering controls built into the end of the excavator, operators can move along a trench line or work area without leaving their seat. By reducing downtime between digging cycles, the system helps operators stay focused and productive throughout the workday.
Beyond trenching, Dual Drive also enhances material handling applications by allowing operators to reposition the machine while maintaining full focus on the end of the excavator. This expanded capability creates new opportunities for backhoe utilization, particularly in confined jobsites and urban environments where productivity and maneuverability are critical.
The legacy of the JCB backhoe
JCB invented the backhoe in 1953, creating a machine that combined the functionality of a loader at the front with the capabilities of an excavator at the rear. More than seven decades later, JCB has produced more than one million backhoe loaders and remains the world’s leading manufacturer of backhoe loaders, with one in two backhoe loaders sold worldwide bearing the JCB name.
“Backhoes remain an essential tool for contractors, utility crews and public works departments because they can do so many jobs with one machine,” said Gill. “Dual Drive builds on this foundation by helping operators work more efficiently and get more value from every hour of work.”
