Head to head
Bobcat S450 vs JCB 3CX
The JCB 3CX is the bigger machine by 5,770kg.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Operating weight: the JCB 3CX is the bigger machine by 5,770kg.
Specifications side by side
| Bobcat S450 | JCB 3CX | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 2365kg | 8,135kg standard and Contractor, 8,435kg on 3CX Super |
| Rated operating capacity | 608kg (ISO 14397-1) | - |
| Engine power | 35.9kW rated (48.1kW max, Kubota V2403 diesel) | - |
| Lift height | 2.8m | - |
| Tipping load | 1215kg | - |
| Dig depth | - | 4.24m with standard dipper, up to 5.46m with Extradig |
Sources: Bobcat S450, JCB 3CX. Figures vary by model year and options, so check with the supplier before you commit.
Buy or hire the S450 if...
Bobcat's entry-level skid steer, small enough for tight domestic and groundworks sites but still able to run a full range of buckets and attachments. Plant hire fleets keep it as their smallest skid steer for jobs a mini digger cannot reach.
Listed by
- JMP Plant Hire Essex - Ingatestone, Norton Heath
Buy or hire the 3CX if...
- you want one that is the bigger machine by 5,770kg
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.
Listed by
- TPH Plant Hire - Gravesend, Northfleet
- Red Plant Sales Ltd - Colchester, Frating
Common questions
What is the difference between the Bobcat S450 and the JCB 3CX?
The JCB 3CX is the bigger machine by 5,770kg. The Bobcat S450 is a compact skid steer loader; the JCB 3CX is a wheeled backhoe loader.
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