Head to head
JCB 3CX Compact vs Kubota U36-4
The JCB 3CX Compact has 37kW more power and is the bigger machine by 2,315kg.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Engine power: the JCB 3CX Compact has 37kW more power.
- Operating weight: the JCB 3CX Compact is the bigger machine by 2,315kg.
- Dig depth: the JCB 3CX Compact digs 1.59m (5ft) deeper.
Specifications side by side
| JCB 3CX Compact | Kubota U36-4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 6070 kg | 3755 kg |
| Dig depth | 5 m | 3410 mm |
| Engine power | 55 kW | 17.8 kw |
| Travel Speed | 40 kph | - |
| Width | - | 1700 mm |
Sources: JCB 3CX Compact, Kubota U36-4. Figures vary by model year and options, so check with the supplier before you commit.
Buy or hire the 3CX Compact if...
- you want one that has 37kW more power
- you want one that is the bigger machine by 2,315kg
- you want one that digs 1.59m (5ft) deeper
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 →Buy or hire the U36-4 if...
A zero-tail swing digger for builders, utility firms and hire fleets working beside walls, fences and live traffic. Common for trenching, foundations and drainage on urban sites.
Full U36-4 specifications →Common questions
What is the difference between the JCB 3CX Compact and the Kubota U36-4?
The JCB 3CX Compact has 37kW more power and is the bigger machine by 2,315kg. The JCB 3CX Compact is a compact backhoe loader about 2 m wide; the Kubota U36-4 is a 3.5 tonne zero-tail swing compact excavator.
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