JCB Launches Dual Drive System for Backhoe Loaders at PWX 2026

en.Wedoany.com Reported - JCB has introduced the Dual Drive system for backhoe loaders at the PWX 2026 exhibition. This system allows operators to drive the machine and operate the loader controls directly from the excavator position without rotating the seat.

The new system is available on JCB's 109 hp 3CX and 4CX models launched in 2025, aimed at enhancing equipment productivity. JCB has equipped the new models with an upgraded transmission for improved road performance, a new external box-section dipper option for the excavator end, and a redesigned operator-focused cab.

James Gill, Product Manager at JCB North America, stated that Dual Drive immediately transforms the operator experience. In applications such as trench digging, ditch cleaning, utility installation, and municipal maintenance, operators can reposition the machine without leaving the excavator controls, reducing downtime between digging cycles and helping crews accomplish more work in a day.

In traditional workflows, operators must pause digging to move the machine forward, rotate the seat, and switch from excavator controls to loader controls before returning to digging operations. With Dual Drive integrating drive and steering controls at the excavator end, operators can advance along the trench line or work area without leaving their seat. Beyond trench digging, Dual Drive also allows operators to reposition the machine while maintaining focus on the excavator end, enhancing performance in material handling applications.

Gill noted that JCB continues to expand the capabilities of backhoe loaders, and Dual Drive gives operators more reasons to choose a backhoe, particularly for urban and infrastructure projects requiring maneuverability and precision.

In terms of market data, according to the latest EDA equipment financing data from Fusable, new financed backhoe loader sales in the United States totaled 2,058 units between May 1, 2025, and April 30, 2026, a decline of 1.8%. JCB is the fourth-largest backhoe seller in the U.S., trailing Caterpillar (Cat), John Deere (Deere), and Case. Its most popular model is the 49 hp 1CXT, with 106 new financed units sold during this period.