Head to head
Bobcat E55z vs JCB 3CX
The JCB 3CX is the bigger machine by 2,864kg and digs 81cm (2.5ft) deeper.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Operating weight: the JCB 3CX is the bigger machine by 2,864kg.
- Dig depth: the JCB 3CX digs 81cm (2.5ft) deeper.
Specifications side by side
| Bobcat E55z | JCB 3CX | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 5271kg | 8,135kg standard and Contractor, 8,435kg on 3CX Super |
| Dig depth | 3434mm | 4.24m with standard dipper, up to 5.46m with Extradig |
| Engine power | 36.4kW | - |
| Breakout force | 30.99kN | - |
Sources: Bobcat E55z, JCB 3CX. Figures vary by model year and options, so check with the supplier before you commit.
Buy or hire the E55z if...
A midi excavator for groundworks, utilities and landscaping contractors. At 5.3 tonnes it arrives on a lorry rather than behind a car. It digs to 3434mm. 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 E55z specifications →Buy or hire the 3CX if...
- you want one that is the bigger machine by 2,864kg
- you want one that digs 81cm (2.5ft) 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 E55z and the JCB 3CX?
The JCB 3CX is the bigger machine by 2,864kg and digs 81cm (2.5ft) deeper. The Bobcat E55z is a midi excavator, zero tail swing, 3 to 6 tonnes; the JCB 3CX is a wheeled backhoe loader.
GetBrent is an independent directory and is not a dealer for, nor affiliated with, either manufacturer. Model and brand names are the trademarks of their owners.