Comparing JCB 3DX Plus and CAT 424 Backhoe Loaders: Price and Specs

If you are looking to buy a backhoe loader, JCB 3DX Plus and CAT 424 are two great options. However choosing between the two models can be confusing since both have:

• 74 HP engine power
• Each meets Bharat Stage V norms
• come with 2WD and 4WD options
• Available under Rs. 40 lakh

JCB 3DX Plus price is around Rs. 30 lakh to ₹32 lakh while the CAT 424 price in India is around ₹34 lakh to ₹35 lakh. So which backhoe loader should you buy?

To help you make the decision, this blog will compare JCB 3DX Plus and CAT 424 backhoe loaders.

Difference between JCB 3DX Plus and CAT 424 

Here are the differences between JCB 3DX Plus and CAT 424 based on their engine power, price, loader and backhoe bucket capacities and other features.

Engine Power and Operating Weight

JCB 3DX Plus and CAT 424 produce similar gross engine power. However, their torque and operating weight are different.

JCB 3DX Plus uses a JCB Stage 5-430 engine that produces 74 HP (55 kW) and 440 Nm of torque at 1150 rpm. This helps the machine handle loading work, such as collecting soil, sand and aggregates with the front bucket.

CAT 424 comes with a 3.6 litre Cat C3.6 engine. It produces 75 HP (55 kW) gross power and 424 Nm of peak torque. Its net engine power is 70 HP. The engine also meets Bharat Stage V emission standards.

JCB 3DX Plus weighs around 7510 kg, while CAT 424 has a nominal operating weight of 7,980 kg. CAT 424 can weigh up to 8,760 kg, depending on its configuration.

So both JCB and CAT backhoe loaders provide good stability while loading heavy materials.

Price Comparison

JCB 3DX Plus price is around ₹30 lakh to ₹32 lakh, while the CAT 424 price in India is around ₹34 lakh to ₹35 lakh.

This makes CAT 424 around ₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh more expensive than JCB 3DX Plus. However, the final price depends on the selected variant, location, taxes, insurance and other charges.

JCB 3DX Plus on road price can also change between its 2WD, 4WD and high dump versions. Buyers checking the JCB 3DX Plus 74 HP price or JCB 3DX price in India should confirm the exact variant before comparing dealer quotes.

Similarly, the CAT 424 is also available in both 2WD and 4WD. So its price can vary based on the wheel drive and the attachment.

Loader and Backhoe Bucket Capacities

JCB 3DX Plus comes with a 1.1 cum front loader bucket and a 0.26 cum rear excavator bucket. The front bucket can collect soil from stockpiles and load it into tippers. The rear bucket can dig trenches for water pipelines, drainage lines and underground cables.

CAT 424 has a 1.05 cum general purpose loader bucket and a 0.27 cum standard duty rear bucket. It also offers rear bucket sizes of 0.12 cum, 0.24 cum and 0.30 cum.

An optional 1.0 cum multipurpose loader bucket can handle grabbing, backfilling and grading work. In addition, its loader can also do parallel lifting, which provides higher breakout force for dozing and loading.

Difference in Dimensions

CAT 424 has a transport length of 5653 mm and a width of 2346 mm without the loader bucket. Its transport height is 3732 mm while the wheelbase is 2200 mm.

JCB 3DX Plus has a wheelbase of 2170 mm, a 2350 mm width over bucket and 310 mm ground clearance. The transport length of this JCB backhoe loader is 6000 mm.

Fuel Saving Features

JCB 3DX Plus comes with a variable displacement hydraulic pump. It adjusts oil flow according to the work to reduce hydraulic losses. 

Other fuel saving features of JCB 3DX Plus are: 

• Auto Stop: Stops the engine when the machine remains idle under suitable conditions, reducing unnecessary fuel use.
• Auto Idle: Reduces engine speed when the operator is not using the machine.
• Eco mode: Helps reduce fuel use during lighter work.
• Standard and Plus modes: Allow operators to select machine performance according to the task.
• Loading and Roading modes: Support loader work and machine movement on roads.

CAT 424 offers the following fuel saving features:

• Eco Mode: Helps reduce fuel consumption during operation. 
• Variable Displacement Hydraulic Pump: Adjusts hydraulic oil flow according to the work demand. This helps reduce unnecessary energy use during digging and loading.

JCB 3DX Plus vs CAT 424: Quick Comparison

Here’s a quick side by side comparison of JCB 3DX Plus and CAT 424:

Conclusion

JCB 3DX Plus and CAT 424 offer similar gross engine power but differ in price, bucket capacity, operating weight and fuel saving features. The JCB costs less and offers a high dump option, while the CAT provides different rear bucket sizes and a higher bucket rotation angle. Compare the machine configuration, site requirements, attachment needs and dealer support before choosing either backhoe loader.