Head to head
JCB 86C-2 vs Thwaites MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel)
The JCB 86C-2 has 30kW more power.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Engine power: the JCB 86C-2 has 30kW more power.
Specifications side by side
| JCB 86C-2 | Thwaites MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel) | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine power | 48 kW | 18.1 kW / 24.3 bhp at 2,000 rpm |
| Operating weight | 8600 kg | - |
| Dig depth | 4.52 m | - |
| Dump height | 5.39 m | - |
| Payload | - | 3,000 kg |
| Unladen weight | - | 2,250 kg |
Sources: JCB 86C-2, 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 86C-2 if...
- you want one that has 30kW more power
Used by groundworks and civils contractors for deeper trenching, pipe laying and loading on housing and utility sites. Hire fleets stock it as the step between mini diggers and full-size excavators.
Full 86C-2 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 86C-2 and the Thwaites MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel)?
The JCB 86C-2 has 30kW more power. The JCB 86C-2 is a 8.6 tonne conventional-tailswing midi excavator; the Thwaites MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel) is a a 3 tonne payload swivel-skip site dumper.
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