JCB is celebrating 70 years of manufacturing its iconic backhoe loader with the unveiling of platinum editions of the 3CX and 4CX models.

Company founder Joseph Cyril Bamford, CBE invented the backhoe concept, and the first JCB model was manufactured in 1953 after he combined a lightweight backhoe with a Major Loadall tractor loader. It created, for the first time, a single machine which combined a front shovel and rear excavator arm.

While it took 20 years for JCB to build 50,000 backhoes, under the leadership of JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford, more than 900,000 have now been made. JCB has been world market leader for backhoes for almost 25 years and today manufactures the iconic machine in the U.K., India, and Brazil. A total of 70 limited-edition, 70th birthday 3CX PRO and 4CX PRO machines will be manufactured.

Lord Bamford said, “The backhoe loader is an incredibly versatile machine, and thanks to continued innovation and evolution, it remains just as relevant today as the day it was first invented. The JCB backhoe loader remains one of the most popular pieces of construction equipment in the world, and it has a very exciting future ahead of it.”

The platinum edition models will have servo excavator controls, Powerslide, air conditioning, and bidirectional auxiliary flow hydraulics. The machines will also have limited-edition platinum decals and grill badge and platinum-colored wheels. The cab will have an embroidered graphic on the carpet and upgraded seat material with 70th anniversary branding, along with a steering wheel center cap featuring the 70th anniversary logo. Each machine will also have a special plaque, and customers will receive a special platinum gift pack with the backhoe loader.

Over the last seven decades, JCB has continued to develop and enhance the backhoe loader concept with turbocharged engines, powershift transmissions, all-wheel drive, and extending dipper arms. The machine has broadened in appeal with the launch of the skid steer based 1CX, the all-wheel steer 3CX Compact, and the larger 4CX and 5CX equal-sized wheel machines.

For more information, visit jcb.com.