Head to head
JCB 3CX vs JCB 8008 CTS
The JCB 3CX is the bigger machine by 7,129kg and digs 2.55m (8.5ft) deeper.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Operating weight: the JCB 3CX is the bigger machine by 7,129kg.
- Dig depth: the JCB 3CX digs 2.55m (8.5ft) deeper.
Specifications side by side
| JCB 3CX | JCB 8008 CTS | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 8,135kg standard and Contractor, 8,435kg on 3CX Super | 1,006 kg |
| Dig depth | 4.24m with standard dipper, up to 5.46m with Extradig | 1.69 m |
| Transport width | - | 0.7 m |
| Transport length | - | 2.68 m |
Sources: JCB 3CX, JCB 8008 CTS. Figures vary by model year and options, so check with the supplier before you commit.
Buy or hire the 3CX if...
- you want one that is the bigger machine by 7,129kg
- you want one that digs 2.55m (8.5ft) deeper
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.
Full 3CX specifications →Buy or hire the 8008 CTS if...
The JCB 8008 CTS is a micro excavator sized to fit through a standard doorway, making it a fixture on UK internal strip-out, basement and confined-access hire fleets. Its short tail swing lets it work close to walls in spaces a 1.5-2 tonne machine cannot reach. It is typically hired for a specific job rather than bought outright.
Listed by
- Compact Plant Sales - Farnham
Common questions
What is the difference between the JCB 3CX and the JCB 8008 CTS?
The JCB 3CX is the bigger machine by 7,129kg and digs 2.55m (8.5ft) deeper. The JCB 3CX is a wheeled backhoe loader; the JCB 8008 CTS is a a sub-1 tonne micro excavator for confined-space and internal demolition work.
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