New Dual Drive system transforms operator experience on JCB 3CX and 4CX backhoe loaders

JCB's innovative Dual Drive system for backhoe loaders is designed to transform the way operators work — operators can move the machine while remaining seated in the excavator position. This new capability eliminates the need to continually rotate the seat and reposition the machine using the loader controls. 

The new system represents the latest evolution in JCB's more than 70-year history of backhoe innovation, helping operators complete jobs faster, more comfortably, and with greater efficiency. It will be available on 109-horsepower JCB 3CX and 4CX backhoe loader models. 

"Dual Drive is one of those innovations that immediately changes the operator experience," said James Gill, product manager at JCB North America. "For applications like trenching, ditch cleaning, utility installation, and municipal maintenance, operators can now reposition the machine without leaving the excavator controls. It reduces downtime between digging cycles and helps crews accomplish more throughout the day."

Increasing the versatility of a trusted machine with more options for operators 

Versatility has always been one of the defining advantages of a backhoe loader. Unlike dedicated excavation equipment, a backhoe loader can travel between tasks, load materials, excavate trenches, and perform a wide range of construction, utility, and maintenance applications with a single machine.

During excavation applications, operators have traditionally needed to pause periodically to move the machine forward, rotating the seat and shifting from the excavator controls to the loader controls before returning to work.

Dual Drive eliminates that interruption by allowing operators to move the machine while remaining in the excavator operating position.

With integrated drive and steering controls on the excavator end, operators can advance 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 excavator end. This expanded capability creates new opportunities for backhoe utilization, particularly in confined job sites and urban environments where productivity and maneuverability are critical.

"We're continuing to expand what a backhoe loader can do," Gill said. "Dual Drive gives operators another reason to choose a backhoe for applications that demand both mobility and precision, especially in urban and infrastructure work."

JCB has a long history of backhoe loader innovations

JCB first brought the backhoe loader to market in 1953, creating a machine that combined loader functionality at the front with excavator capabilities at the rear and forever changed the construction industry. More than seven decades later, JCB has produced more than one million backhoe loaders and remains the world's leading backhoe loader manufacturer, with one in every two backhoes sold worldwide bearing the JCB name.

Dual Drive is the latest example of JCB's commitment to practical innovation, addressing a long-standing challenge for backhoe operators while reinforcing the machine's position as one of the most versatile and productive pieces of equipment on any jobsite.

"Backhoe loaders remain an essential tool for contractors, utility crews and public works departments because they can do so many jobs with a single machine," Gill said. "Dual Drive builds on that foundation by helping operators work more efficiently and get more value from every hour on the job."

The new Dual Drive system will be available to see at booth #831 during PWX 2026. Stop by to learn more about Dual Drive and explore JCB's complete lineup of equipment solutions for public works, utility, and infrastructure applications.