Staffordshire-based JCB is celebrating 70 years of manufacturing its iconic backhoe loader by unveiling two platinum edition models.
Company founder Joseph Cyril Bamford CBE invented the backhoe concept and the first JCB model was manufactured in 1953 after he combined a lightweight backhoe with a tractor loader.
It created, for the first time, a single machine which combined a front shovel and rear excavator arm.
While it took 20 years for JCB to build its first 50,000 backhoes, under the leadership of current Chairman Anthony Bamford, more than 900,000 have now been made.
JCB has been world market leader for backhoes for almost 25 years and today manufactures the iconic machine in the UK, India, and Brazil.
Now, a total of 70 limited-edition 70th birthday 3CX PRO and 4CX PRO machines will be manufactured.
Lord Bamford said: “The backhoe loader is an incredibly versatile machine and thanks to continued innovation and evolution, it remains just as relevant today as the day it was first invented. The JCB backhoe loader remains one of the most popular pieces of construction equipment in the world and it has a very exciting future ahead of it.”
The machines will bear limited edition Platinum decals and grille badge. They will have Platinum-coloured wheels, while in the cab there will be an embroidered graphic in the carpet and upgraded seat material with 70th anniversary branding, along with a steering wheel centre cap featuring the 70th logo.
Each machine will also have a special plaque and customers will receive a special Platinum gift pack with the backhoe loader.
