Head to head
JCB 3CX vs SANY SY26U
The JCB 3CX is the bigger machine by 5,475kg and digs 1.43m (4.5ft) deeper.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Operating weight: the JCB 3CX is the bigger machine by 5,475kg.
- Dig depth: the JCB 3CX digs 1.43m (4.5ft) deeper.
Specifications side by side
| JCB 3CX | SANY SY26U | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 8,135kg standard and Contractor, 8,435kg on 3CX Super | 2,660 kg |
| Dig depth | 4.24m with standard dipper, up to 5.46m with Extradig | 2,810 mm |
| Engine power | - | 14.6 kW at 2,400 rpm |
| Transport width | - | 1,550 mm |
Sources: JCB 3CX, SANY SY26U. 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 5,475kg
- you want one that digs 1.43m (4.5ft) 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 SY26U if...
The SANY SY26U is a 2.6 tonne mini excavator positioned as a value alternative to the established Kubota, JCB and Takeuchi machines in the same size class, sold in the UK through a small number of appointed dealers. SANY's UK presence is newer and thinner than the market leaders, so buyers weigh the lower purchase price against a less mature parts and resale network. It is more often bought outright by owner-operators than stocked in volume by the large national hire fleets.
Full SY26U specifications →Common questions
What is the difference between the JCB 3CX and the SANY SY26U?
The JCB 3CX is the bigger machine by 5,475kg and digs 1.43m (4.5ft) deeper. The JCB 3CX is a wheeled backhoe loader; the SANY SY26U is a a 2.6 tonne mini excavator.
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