JCB 1CX - Have you used one?

[AusDave]

Hi all.

This post could be in a number of categories but I'll start in this one as description wise it fits.
I have just purchased a JCB 1CX which is a bit like a 2800kg or 6200lb skidsteer with a backhoe integrated on the rear. The picture makes this a bit clearer. This pic is not mine, I haven't got around to that yet, but it's similar except mine has a 4 in 1 loader bucket.

I was looking, prior to this purchase, for the mythical machine that could load like a skidsteer and excavate like a mini ex as well as being small and nimble enough to work in confined areas. You know, do everything perfectly without much compromise When I came across the 1CX it seemed like the best manifestation of my thoughts so I then had to find one for a reasonable price secondhand.
After trawling through all the media in Australia, mainly web based I found a few which although were in good condition were out of my price range. However I found one through eBay through searching via google and although its listing had expired the owner still had it for sale. Anyway to shorten the story I bought it, trucked it home and am in the process of minor repairs and preventative maintenance.

So I still haven't used the 1CX productively yet and haven't spoken to anyone who has owned and used this machine. I hope in the future to give my own report on how it goes but in the meantime if anyone has used or owned a 1CX let me know how it worked for you in your business and any other tips about it.

Thanks and regards AusDave

 

[Bellboy]

My local roads agency had one working on demolishing some of the highways near me, and seemed as though it worked quite well, altough it was not working on its own. It seems to have good backhoe power, and some really nimble moves to its name.

Good luck with your little baby though. Wish i could have one!

 

[digger242j]

Aus Dave, I removed the other thread, since duplicate threads usually just result in confusion. This one got the first replies, and besides, it has the picture.

 

[Steve Frazier]

I had looked at this machine when I was shopping, but it didn't have enough lift capacity to suit my needs. I have a friend with an excavating business that swears by JCB backhoes, he's had several of them.

 

[AusDave]

My JCB 1CX pic

Hi all.

Here's a quick pic of my 1CX. As well as the 4 in 1 loader bucket it came with 3 original JCB backhoe buckets, some with plenty of paint inside and as new teeth, so they haven't been used much. Just doing some preventative maintenance before putting it to work. Also have a GB rock breaker which will fit on the already plumbed hoe end for small concrete demo jobs.

Regards Dave

 

[Bellboy]

She's a real beaut'! Pressuming you have given her a few hours of your own, what is she like to operate?

And we will definately need to know what you do with her, with some pics as you pick up the jobs

 

[kostas]

1cx

the 1cx for me was a great machine,i had to sell it last monthbecause of relocating to canada. . .the earthquake here in 1999. . Caused damage to the colums of condos ,i found out that it was a small ,powerfull skidsteer hoe that could do the job .i think in the states and in canada its the 208s. . .anyways i passed by jcb to check the 2008 model. . . .and words cant desribe how much they put into it thus making it one of the most expensive skidsteer out there. . .and if you ask me worth every penny.

 

[Johnny Utah]

a 1cx is an excellent wee machine! I think all JCB backhoes are the best on the market

 

[bluecoupe]

great little machine.we hired a guy a few times in his to do jobs inside a factory.had a little hammer then took the stuff out with the front bucket.also his was fitted with a cab.has a brush and fork toes for the front

 

[bluntman410g]

thats a pretty sweet little machine!

 

[John Wilson]

JCB makes some really nice machines. Mine 3D is great, and fairly easy to repair. Getting parts can be more tricky however. Do you find that there is good parts availability and know how for your machine?

 

[z_halen]

Love the machine, but if they are so great why aren't more people using them, i know the cost is pretty up there, but they seem to do everything that 2 machines would do,

I'd love to hear more from guys who are running them.

Also Dave how much did you pick that up for and was it from an Auction?

 

[kostas]

price wise,well my 1cx was 95 model,opened cab.4 in one bucket and plumbed or piped for external hammer .i sold it for around

Live rates at 2008.12.07 10:43:44 UTC
16,500.00 EUR

=

20,921.70 USD

as for parts?interpart is a company that make replacment parts for jcb. . in europe you can almost find jcb parts at your local hardware store.
as for Canada or The States i cant say . . . but after i find a small dump,id like to make the 1cx or the 208S my first purchas abroad.

 

[z_halen]

So Kosta's, was the machine good, Over here in aus they are pretty expensive, and not far from being able to buy both a bobcat and a mini excavator.

So any pro's and con's with the 1Cx, how do they go working on slopes also?

Cheers

 

[AusDave]

Jcb 1cx

Love the machine, but if they are so great why aren't more people using them, i know the cost is pretty up there, but they seem to do everything that 2 machines would do,

I'd love to hear more from guys who are running them.

Also Dave how much did you pick that up for and was it from an Auction?

Apologies for the delay in responding to your queries z_halen, up until yesterday I hadn't used the machine enough to make any comment. I just did a job yesterday which gave me some idea of how the 1CX performs.

The picture in this post shows me positioning myself to dig a 30m (33yds) trench 600mm (2ft) deep in heavy clay. Unfortunately the trench was the only thing I had to do on this job but it gave me a good idea of how the hoe worked. Once I got used to the two lever cross pattern control sticks the hoe worked well, digging quite easily and fast with the engine running at quarter throttle. The main problem I had was the 9 inch bucket I was using, plugged up with clay in some of the moister places on the trench and needed a lot of shaking and even a shovel at times to clean it out.

One of the cool things about the 1CX is the fact that when using the backhoe you can still drive and reposition the machine without turning around to the normal driving position. All you do is press a button on the steering joystick and you have control of driving the machine and the front bucket. The only thing you have to get used to is the steering/drive joystick works in reverse when you are facing backwards. But thats not hard to get used to.

I did some maintenance work on the 1CX as the previous owner had let the maintenance slip. Main things I did were to replace the timing belt, cleaned up and painted some minor rust on the engine cover, checked valve clearances on the motor, new air cleaner elements, replaced some coolant hoses, repaired the travel latch for the hoe, pressure washed the dirty bits, changed fluids and gave it a grease.

The motor in my 1995 1CX is a 50hp Peugeot 4 cylinder XUD overhead cam diesel while many other 1CX's had Perkins motors. I was a bit dubious about having what seemed to be a car engine in a piece of earthmoving equipment but after talking to a few people and looking around on the Internet I found that this particular diesel is probably the most popular diesel engine ever built with millions in Peugeot, Citroen and some other cars and a good reputation for reliability and performance. It is detuned about 25% horsepower wise from the car engines, so it is running unstressed even when working hard. For this engine parts are readily available from Peugeot parts dealers as well as JCB, so you can shop around for prices and mechanics knowledge. The air cleaner elements came from a filter specialist by next day post at a reasonable price.

I bought the 1CX after finding it on eBay via google after the auction had finished. It hadn't sold and the owner wasn't too fussed about selling it, but I made an offer of $25,000 Aussie dollars and they accepted. Similar secondhand machines at machinery dealers are going for $35,000 and up, with one secondhand late model low hour machine on the market for $79,000!!

So far it seems a good deal as these are not cheap machines. Mine has done about 2500 hours, but judging by the lack of wear in the pins and bushes of the front bucket and backhoe assembly and the performance of the motor, it would seem like a lot of those hours were just idling about. It also has a 4 in 1 bucket and is piped for a hammer, auger etc on the hoe. Drive motors are Danfoss and are mounted outside the chaincase under a guard/housing for easy access. Main and auxillary pump is under the cabin floor with the usual web of hydraulic lines wires and solenoid controls like many hydrostatic skidsteers, and is no doubt extremely expensive to repair if it failed. So I'll be looking after it with top quality lubricants and maintenance and not drive it like an idiot.

I don't know why they aren't more popular. It may be price and I agree you could probably get a skidsteer and compact excavator for not much more $$ than a new 1CX. However the hidden costs for a skid/mini-ex combo are matters such as a bigger transport solution, more parts and maintenance issues and the fact that in some cases the 1CX probably does a better job than either a conventional skidsteer or a compact excavator. No need for dumb weights on the rear as the backhoe already provides the weight, stability and a useful implement. As soon as I saw one on the Internet I felt it was the right machine for my needs and tried to find one I could afford. I've picked up maintenance and user manuals from the Internet too so I could do most of the work on it myself.

I still haven't met anyone who has used these machines extensively which is why I posted this thread on the forum to find out more just like you have z. So far I'm pretty happy with the machine in the way it performs and the way it is built. It seems to be well engineered to last and the design hasn't changed much at all over the past 10-20 years so it must have been a good, effective design in the first place and there seems to be nothing out there that has the same combination of size and equipment which can all be operated from a raised central position with great visibility all round.

One last thing, which I really get after reading this HE Forum over the past months, it's a great boys toy, and every man needs such a thing! I have friends that look at it and drool, wishing that they could have small piece of earthmoving equipment for themselves. I'm able to justify it but they can't, or at least can't convince their wives/girlfriends, they need it. I'm pretty happy as I have quite a few toys which are all part of my business activities:woohoo

Have fun, regards Dave

 

[z_halen]

Hey dave, you got an absolute steal, getting that machine for that price, i'd lock you up myself i'm that jealous, Stoked to hear that the machine is turning out really good for you and hope it lasts for plenty more hours to come.

Keep the photo's and info coming and i'll be interested to know what it's like with an auger if you eventually get one.

Oh yeah, boys toy i reckon, but as they say, "He who dies with the most toys Wins!!"

Cheers Mate

 

[AusDave]

Hey dave, you got an absolute steal, getting that machine for that price, i'd lock you up myself i'm that jealous, Stoked to hear that the machine is turning out really good for you and hope it lasts for plenty more hours to come.

Keep the photo's and info coming and i'll be interested to know what it's like with an auger if you eventually get one.

Oh yeah, boys toy i reckon, but as they say, "He who dies with the most toys Wins!!"

Cheers Mate

Hi z. I hope you are right about my machine, it certainly seems to be a good one at the right price. I just wish I had more time to use it. I run a number of businesses and they're all pretty busy this time of the year.

Are you looking for a JCB 1CX for yourself? How much would you be prepared to pay? Not that I'm selling mine, but I did come across a few others when I was looking. They were a bit dearer though some had less hours.

Do you have some equipment yourself and if so what? Also where in Australia are you located? I'm on the NSW South Coast about 2.5 hours south of Sydney.

Apologies for the questions, I'm the curious type You can send me a personal message if you don't want to post.

Have fun, Dave

 

[z_halen]

No drama's with the questions mate, i'm on the other side of Sydney on the mid north coast and it's more pipe dreams at the moment, as the mortgage has me by the balls. I'm working offshore at the moment and i haven't got any machinery at home but the plan is in the next couple of years when the building game eventually starts up again i'd like to get one. Just trying to do my home work and be on the lookout for a machine for the right price.

It's invaluable to have guys like yourself give there experiances with particular machines, i got a job driving an excavator a few months ago and asked some guys on this forum the do's and don'ts about loading trucks. You should have seen the response i got, it was brilliant and helped me not look like an idiot on my first day on the job. Although after a few weeks i got to meet the owner of the company and he is a real wanker so i just walked off. Didn't want to make him any richer than he already was. Anyways thats another story.

Cheers mate, and keep diggin

 

[z_halen]

So Aus Dave

So Dave,

I take it by the lack of posts that you've been real busy and have been getting the most out of your machine. Although it has been the festive season and all, but i'm really keen to hear how it's all going mate.

Hopefully you're killing it and have been really busy starting to make some money back towards your purchase.

When or if you do get another spare moment could you tell us how it's going please mate.

Or any others who have one of these great little machines. Don't be shy tell us about it

Thanks again

 

[AusDave]

So Dave,

I take it by the lack of posts that you've been real busy and have been getting the most out of your machine. Although it has been the festive season and all, but i'm really keen to hear how it's all going mate.

Hopefully you're killing it and have been really busy starting to make some money back towards your purchase.

When or if you do get another spare moment could you tell us how it's going please mate.

Or any others who have one of these great little machines. Don't be shy tell us about it

Thanks again

Hi z_halen and all.

Yes I have been very busy, but not exactly killing it and making pots of money... yet
I have a 3 other businesses I also run which are very busy over summer which has hindered my machinery action. What I intend using the JCB 1CX for is a fourth business! Not enough hours in the day, weeks in the year etc. I've done a bit of backhoe work trenching for electrical cable where the 1CX did a great job. Had to work quite close to a house where the side shift capability of the hoe came in really handy.

I have also given the machine a partial re-spray as the bonnet had a bit of unsightly rust as well as a few other places. I did some preventative maintenance as well replacing filters, oils, coolant, some radiator hoses, camshaft/timing belt on the motor and a few other things. I don't want any breakdowns on the job if I can avoid it. So far it's been relatively easy to work on apart from the fact that when I was doing the motor work I had the bucket supported in the raised position with the tiger teeth facing down. Took a few chunks out of my scalp walking around that without ducking:duh

Part of the work I intend to do with the JCB 1CX is small scale demolition and crushing concrete and building waste. I have a hydraulic breaker/hammer to use on the hoe and I'm putting together a Jaw crusher of my own design to crush concrete and building waste so it can be recycled as roadbase or compactable fill etc. With the cost of waste disposal rising I hope to target small domestic and industrial jobs where the old slabs, paths, walls etc need demolishing and removal. The crushed material can be recycled on site or I can remove it in my small tipper to other clients who need roadbase or fill.

The picture below is where I am up to with the crusher at present. I still need to install the crusher lubrication system, belt clutch system, guards, feed hopper/chute system and output chute.

The reason I'm building my own crusher is because the cost of a mini crusher is way too high for me to afford. Through judicious Internet searching and talking to Indians who speak english, I found a suitable jaw crusher of a size, (12" x 9"), and weight I could manage, at an affordable price in India. I imported it over to Australia as an LCL shipment which was relatively inexpensive and picked it up from Sydney in my truck along with wind turbines my mate had also imported from India. I then found a new 2 cylinder, 20hp, V Twin, chinese diesel engine on the Internet and have set it up to drive the crusher.

The crusher weighed about 1,600kg, (3500lb), and with the engine and frame should be around 1800kg, (4000lb). I wanted to keep it under 2 tonne so it was relatively easy to transport and access in tight spaces. I just wish I had more time to get this finished quicker as I have a couple of tonnes of concrete waste in my backyard to run through the crusher to test it out.

There are no guarantees that this whole project will be outrageously successful and profitable but who knows. Part of the thrill of any project that you haven't seen anyone else do, is not knowing how well the whole thing will work. It's certainly interesting and I'll probably create a thread to explain how and what I have done... once I have it working. I do have one potential customer who claims to have 500 tonnes of concrete waste to crush and use on the roads on his property. That will be a test!!:OMG

I'd also like to hear from any other JCB 1CX users out there.
Anyway I'll keep you posted as all the above progresses.

Have fun, Dave