Head to head
Caterpillar 259D3 vs JCB 3CX
The Caterpillar 259D3 is the bigger machine by 852kg.
Last reviewed 9 November 2026
Key differences
- Operating weight: the Caterpillar 259D3 is the bigger machine by 852kg.
Specifications side by side
| Caterpillar 259D3 | JCB 3CX | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 8987 lb 4076 kg | 8,135kg standard and Contractor, 8,435kg on 3CX Super |
| Net Power - SAE 1349 | 73.2 hp 54.6 kW | - |
| Tipping Load | 5745 lb 2610 kg | - |
| Rated Operating Capacities - 35% Tipping Load | 2010 lb 915 kg | - |
| Breakout Force - Tilt Cylinder | 4965 lb 2252 kg | - |
| Dig depth | - | 4.24m with standard dipper, up to 5.46m with Extradig |
Sources: Caterpillar 259D3, JCB 3CX. Figures vary by model year and options, so check with the supplier before you commit.
Buy or hire the 259D3 if...
- you want one that is the bigger machine by 852kg
Groundworks crews and hire yards use this loader for truck loading, grading and moving material where lift height matters. Its suspended undercarriage and rubber tracks spread the load, which suits lawns, reinstatement work and soft ground. Two-speed travel helps it move quickly between tasks on the same site.
Full 259D3 specifications →Buy or hire the 3CX if...
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 Caterpillar 259D3 and the JCB 3CX?
The Caterpillar 259D3 is the bigger machine by 852kg. The Caterpillar 259D3 is a a vertical-lift compact track loader on rubber tracks.; the JCB 3CX is a wheeled backhoe loader.
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