Head to head
Caterpillar 259D3 vs JCB 3CX Compact
The Caterpillar 259D3 is the bigger machine by 2,917kg.
Last reviewed 9 November 2026
Key differences
- Operating weight: the Caterpillar 259D3 is the bigger machine by 2,917kg.
Specifications side by side
| Caterpillar 259D3 | JCB 3CX Compact | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 8987 lb 4076 kg | 6070 kg |
| 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 | - | 5 m |
| Engine power | - | 55 kW |
| Travel Speed | - | 40 kph |
Sources: Caterpillar 259D3, JCB 3CX Compact. 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 2,917kg
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 Compact if...
Aimed at utility, highways and town-centre work where a full-size backhoe will not fit. Used for trenching, loading and breaking out on narrow roads, estates and tight sites.
Full 3CX Compact specifications →Common questions
What is the difference between the Caterpillar 259D3 and the JCB 3CX Compact?
The Caterpillar 259D3 is the bigger machine by 2,917kg. The Caterpillar 259D3 is a a vertical-lift compact track loader on rubber tracks.; the JCB 3CX Compact is a compact backhoe loader about 2 m wide.
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