Head to head
Bobcat E17z vs JCB 3CX
The JCB 3CX is the bigger machine by 6,423kg and digs 2.01m (6.5ft) deeper.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Operating weight: the JCB 3CX is the bigger machine by 6,423kg.
- Dig depth: the JCB 3CX digs 2.01m (6.5ft) deeper.
Specifications side by side
| Bobcat E17z | JCB 3CX | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 1712kg | 8,135kg standard and Contractor, 8,435kg on 3CX Super |
| Dig depth | 2230mm | 4.24m with standard dipper, up to 5.46m with Extradig |
| Engine power | 10.1kW | - |
| Breakout force | 11.92kN | - |
Sources: Bobcat E17z, JCB 3CX. Figures vary by model year and options, so check with the supplier before you commit.
Buy or hire the E17z if...
The 1.5 tonne class is the busiest size in UK hire fleets. At 1,712kg it goes on a braked plant trailer behind a large 4x4 or pickup, and digs to 2230mm for footings, drainage runs and fence posts. Zero tail swing means the back of the machine stays inside the tracks when it slews, so it can work tight against a wall or in one lane of a road.
Full E17z specifications →Buy or hire the 3CX if...
- you want one that is the bigger machine by 6,423kg
- you want one that digs 2.01m (6.5ft) deeper
The machine most people picture when they think of a building site, and still the default where one machine has to both dig and load. Groundworkers and utilities contractors buy it precisely to avoid putting two machines on a small site.
Full 3CX specifications →Common questions
What is the difference between the Bobcat E17z and the JCB 3CX?
The JCB 3CX is the bigger machine by 6,423kg and digs 2.01m (6.5ft) deeper. The Bobcat E17z is a 1.5 tonne class mini excavator, zero tail swing; the JCB 3CX is a wheeled backhoe loader.
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