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How to operate/control
- Thread starter Konkelly
- Start date
-
- Tags
- control jcb 3cx
NH575E
Senior Member
Backhoes aren't super complicated to learn. You just have to figure out which movement of the controls do what and practice. Different year models and makes will have different controls. The newer hoes may have joysticks as opposed to levers. Some older machines may have 4 levers and some have 2. I'm not familiar with the JCB but I imagine the 99 would be a 2 lever machine rather than 4 or joystick.
It would probably be worthwhile to purchase an operator manual at least. If you plan to do your own service as most of us do you will also want a service manual. Backhoes break! You will need to replace hoses and rebuild cylinders as it wears. You might also want to get a qualified tech to look the machine over and check for mechanical issues before you buy.
Generally if the control movements are too jerky you can lower the engine RPMs to make it less responsive while you learn. I rarely run my New Holland over 1800 RPMs.
You Tube can be a good resource but may take watching several different videos to find what you are looking for.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=99+3cx+Jcb+backhoe+operation
It would probably be worthwhile to purchase an operator manual at least. If you plan to do your own service as most of us do you will also want a service manual. Backhoes break! You will need to replace hoses and rebuild cylinders as it wears. You might also want to get a qualified tech to look the machine over and check for mechanical issues before you buy.
Generally if the control movements are too jerky you can lower the engine RPMs to make it less responsive while you learn. I rarely run my New Holland over 1800 RPMs.
You Tube can be a good resource but may take watching several different videos to find what you are looking for.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=99+3cx+Jcb+backhoe+operation
Coaldust
Senior Member
- Joined
- May 9, 2011
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- 3,347
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- North of the 60
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- Cargo Tanks, ULSD, RUG, Methanol, LPG
Maybe try the two most common control patterns and see what feelz the best, before committing your muscle memory to one or the other.
Acecadet
Senior Member
My friend purchased a 1995 jcb back in 2014. I had my apprehensions about it at the time. It was rough and it took considerable work to get back to reliable. I have learned a lot about them first hand. They are incredibly strong machines. Parts are everywhere on the internet for very reasonable prices. I’m not a fan of the British pipe fittings on all the hydraulic hoses, but I only live 20 miles from a Ponnse dealer. They uses the same fittings. Perkins engines are great and the JCB transmission is fairly simple and really tough. Use quality fluids in the trans and rear diff or else clutch slippage and brake chatter will cause you grief.
aighead
Senior Member
A backhoe in London? UK? I'm amazed that's allowed if so!
As NH575E says, above, a backhoe is pretty manageable to run and figure out, though it'll take a bit to get good with it. My first real backhoeing experience was with a rental. They dropped it off down the road (my driveway and road aren't terribly accessible by a big truck) and said have at it. I didn't really know what was what. The rental did have an operators manual, which I read before doing much and I was off. After a couple days it felt pretty comfortable, though I probably made some bigger messes than I would now.
Welcome to the party, it's fun!
As NH575E says, above, a backhoe is pretty manageable to run and figure out, though it'll take a bit to get good with it. My first real backhoeing experience was with a rental. They dropped it off down the road (my driveway and road aren't terribly accessible by a big truck) and said have at it. I didn't really know what was what. The rental did have an operators manual, which I read before doing much and I was off. After a couple days it felt pretty comfortable, though I probably made some bigger messes than I would now.
Welcome to the party, it's fun!
Tinkerer
Senior Member
Welcome to HEF, Konkelly !
Last edited:
Tinkerer
Senior Member
I have the operators manual for that 3cx. It is 186 pages long.
Ifn you want it, send me a private message and include your email address.
I will then send you an invitation to download it from my Google Drive.
Ifn you want it, send me a private message and include your email address.
I will then send you an invitation to download it from my Google Drive.
Tink to the rescue!
skyking1
Senior Member
he's that kinda guy, Tink is.
Remember the old operator rule of thumb. If you don't know what lever A does, Leave her B.
Seriously get it out in some open space and give it all a whirl
Remember the old operator rule of thumb. If you don't know what lever A does, Leave her B.
Seriously get it out in some open space and give it all a whirl
Watching people use a backhoe, when you get one you can't wait to try it. But once you start trying it, it can be very frustrating. It's like playing a musical instrument, it takes practice. You will find in the beginning you are very slow and jerky, with every function being a separate operation. That is when the frustration starts to set in. The key is don't give up. Concentrate on the job at hand. It will take a couple of weeks of intermittent usage, or probably a week of solid usage, and you will all of a sudden realize you are getting the hang of it. The more you use it, the better you will get.
But the first couple of hours/days are long.
Everyone has given good advice, there was a time when none of knew how to operate. I can tell you what not to do, don't try to load a truck or work near anything of value until you feel confident in yourself, and the word of the day there is humble. Don't overestimate yourself. And never, ever allow anyone to stand within your swing radius. It's an amazing tool but capable of serious damage if a mistake is made.
NH575E
Senior Member
^^ true that ^^
I never sat in a backhoe till I owned one. Bought mine off eBay and had it shipped to me. Ended up having to fix on it for a month before it was usable.
NOT "ready to work" as advertised.
I never sat in a backhoe till I owned one. Bought mine off eBay and had it shipped to me. Ended up having to fix on it for a month before it was usable.
NOT "ready to work" as advertised.
92U 3406
Senior Member
Can't really explain to someone how to operate anything. Its more of a you just have to try it kinda thing.
CM1995
Administrator
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- Alabama
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Welcome the Forums K!
Steve said what was going to add -
Be careful! Take it slow, wear your seatbelt and don't let anyone in your working radius. A large, flat open field is your friend why you are learning the ropes.
Best of luck!
Steve said what was going to add -
Be careful! Take it slow, wear your seatbelt and don't let anyone in your working radius. A large, flat open field is your friend why you are learning the ropes.
Best of luck!
Put the stabilizers down until the rear wheels come off the ground a few inches before doing anything with the backhoe. The machine will be very jerky and can become unstable if you don't. After you gain some experience, there will be things you can do without the stabilizers on the ground, but you have to have a feel for what that is. For example, you can easily dig a stump out with your stabilizers down, but if you want to then move that stump to a burn pile, you might not be able to drive with it without doing a wheelie. They are a simple machine to operate, but that doesn't mean you don't have to think about what you are doing. Center of gravity and direction of force are all very important, even more so when working on steep terrain.
aighead
Senior Member
Avoid steep terrain if possible! Scary!
63 caveman
Senior Member
Like all equipment operators smooth is fast and great operators are three moves ahead of everybody else.
Welder Dave
Senior Member
Once you get used to it a little the trick is to use 2 or more functions at the same time to make it smoother. Pull the stick in while you curl the bucket (sometimes need to lift the boom as well) or put the stick out while you're while swinging to dump the bucket. I find controlling the swing takes the most practice. Be patient and don't get frustrated. It takes a little time, like everything else, to get proficient.
Tinkerer
Senior Member
Run the engine speed no faster than you need to. You will have much better control of the backhoe.
When you get used to it you will be able to run it faster.
When you get used to it you will be able to run it faster.
I kept getting scolded when I was running the engine too slow. The pump makes a groaning noise if the engine is turning too slow, they claimed it was hard on the hydraulics.
My machine has a tach with colors on it telling what rpm range to use, but of course it's broken and doesn't register.