JCB Showcasing Dual Drive System at PWX 2026

Backhoe loader manufacturer JCB is bringing its Dual Drive system to PWX 2026, aiming to show off the innovation on the American Public Works Association’s largest stage of the year.

The team designed the new system to “transform the way operators work,” officials say. Touted as potentially revolutionary for the construction equipment industry, Dual Drive enables full machine movement while the operator remains seated in the excavator operating position. This innovation, the company says, eliminates any need for seat rotation and machine repositioning.

“Dual Drive is one of those innovations that immediately changes the operator experience,” says James Gill, product manager at JCB North America. “For applications like trenching, ditch cleaning, utility installation and municipal maintenance, operators can now reposition the machine without leaving the excavator controls. It reduces downtime between digging cycles and helps crews accomplish more throughout the day.”

The new system is the next step in JCB’s overall evolution, stretching back more than 70 years, according to officials. Dual Drive is available on 109-horsepower JCB 3CX and 4CX backhoe loader models, and aims to help operators work faster, more efficiently, and more comfortably than ever.

Versatility for all applications

The JCB team designed the Dual Drive system for public works-related productivity, the company says. But the beauty of the system is that it makes backhoes more versatile than ever.

“We’re continuing to expand what a backhoe loader can do,” Gill adds. “Dual Drive gives operators another reason to choose a backhoe for applications that demand both mobility and precision, especially in urban and infrastructure work.”

The Dual Drive system eliminates unnecessary interruptions, allowing operators to move the machine while remaining in operation position. In addition to reducing downtime, Dual Drive greatly enhances other uses of a traditional backhoe, the company says.

“Beyond trenching, Dual Drive also enhances material handling applications by allowing operators to reposition the machine while maintaining full focus on the excavator end,” the company says. “This expanded capability creates new opportunities for backhoe utilization, particularly in confined jobsites and urban environments where productivity and maneuverability are critical.”

The company says the new system addresses a number of long-standing challenges with the backhoe, while keeping the core usage of the machine intact. The practice reinforces the backhoe’s position as an industry leader, and one of the most versatile pieces of equipment on a given jobsite.

“Backhoe loaders remain an essential tool for contractors, utility crews and public works departments because they can do so many jobs with a single machine,” Gill says. “Dual Drive builds on that foundation by helping operators work more efficiently and get more value from every hour on the job.”