Head to head
JCB 3CX Compact vs Thwaites MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel)
The JCB 3CX Compact has 37kW more power.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Engine power: the JCB 3CX Compact has 37kW more power.
Specifications side by side
| JCB 3CX Compact | Thwaites MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel) | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine power | 55 kW | 18.1 kW / 24.3 bhp at 2,000 rpm |
| Operating weight | 6070 kg | - |
| Dig depth | 5 m | - |
| Travel Speed | 40 kph | - |
| Payload | - | 3,000 kg |
| Unladen weight | - | 2,250 kg |
Sources: JCB 3CX Compact, Thwaites MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel). 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
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 MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel) if...
The Thwaites 3 Tonne Power Swivel, badged MACH2080, is the step-up size from the 1 tonne class and a standard fixture on larger UK groundworks and civils sites needing higher payload per cycle. Its power swivel skip rotates independently of the direction of travel, letting the operator tip to the side without turning the whole machine around. It is hired alongside excavators of a similar class to keep material moving off the dig face.
Full MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel) specifications →Common questions
What is the difference between the JCB 3CX Compact and the Thwaites MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel)?
The JCB 3CX Compact has 37kW more power. The JCB 3CX Compact is a compact backhoe loader about 2 m wide; the Thwaites MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel) is a a 3 tonne payload swivel-skip site dumper.
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.