JCB has secured a $45 million contract to supply 4CX backhoe loaders to the United States armed forces.
The order placed by the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) will see the JCB machines supplied over the next five years, along with hands-on operator training and attachments. JCB is a defence contractor to the US Department of Defense and the latest agreement is the second major contract between JCB and the USMC following a $39 million deal in 2024 for multi terrain loaders, militarised versions of the JCB Teleskid.
Richard Fox-Marrs, president and CEO of JCB North America, said, “We’re proud that, after an extensive evaluation, the Marine Corps has once again selected JCB. As the world’s leading backhoe loader manufacturer, we value this continued partnership and the confidence placed in our ability to deliver machines that meet the highest standards of performance and reliability.”
Chris Giorgianni, VP of government and defense for JCB North America, added, “The 4CX is the direct result of more than 70 years of continuous improvement. It’s built to perform in the most demanding of environments, whether that’s military engineering missions or high-pressure construction jobsites. This contract builds on JCB’s proven track record of supplying versatile, rugged and dependable equipment to military forces around the world.”
The JCB 4CX backhoe loader selected for this contract is said to combine ‘mission-ready strength’ with advanced features tailored for tactical and jobsite applications. Central to the 4CX’s performance is JCB’s side-shift backhoe with Powerslide system, which is designed to enable precise side-shift movement of the boom. Unlike centremount machines favoured by the North American market, JCB explained that this system expands the digging envelope by 10% and allows operators to work efficiently in tight areas or alongside walls and obstacles without needing to reposition the machine.
