Head to head
JCB 3CX Compact vs Volvo FMX 540
The Volvo FMX 540 has 348kW more power.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Engine power: the Volvo FMX 540 has 348kW more power.
Specifications side by side
| JCB 3CX Compact | Volvo FMX 540 | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine power | 55 kW | 540bhp (D13, Euro 6) |
| Operating weight | 6070 kg | - |
| Dig depth | 5 m | - |
| Travel Speed | 40 kph | - |
| Gross weight | - | 32,000kg (32 tonne) |
| Payload | - | 20,000kg |
| Axles | - | 8x4 |
Sources: JCB 3CX Compact, Volvo FMX 540. Figures vary by model year and options, so check with the supplier before you commit.
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 →Buy or hire the FMX 540 if...
- you want one that has 348kW more power
A heavy construction truck for muckaway and aggregate haulage contractors who need an 8-wheel tipper or tipper-grab body on a chassis built for site conditions rather than motorway haulage. The high-output D13 engine suits loaded running on soft or hilly access roads.
Listed by
- McGovern Plant Hire - Hounslow, Cranford
Common questions
What is the difference between the JCB 3CX Compact and the Volvo FMX 540?
The Volvo FMX 540 has 348kW more power. The JCB 3CX Compact is a compact backhoe loader about 2 m wide; the Volvo FMX 540 is a 540bhp 8x4 heavy tipper/grab truck.
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