Cat 420 vs JCB 4CX
The JCB 4CX is the heavier machine, at 8.6 t against 7.83 t, and the JCB 4CX has more power (74.2 kW against 68 kW).
The Cat 420 is ahead on: more power, reaches further, dumps higher, reaches higher, more hydraulic flow, faster, lower to transport. The JCB 4CX is ahead on: more torque, digs deeper, bigger bucket or body.
Below, every figure both makers publish sits side by side, with the Cat 420 and the JCB 4CX drawn to the same scale from their dimension drawings.
At a glance
Bold is the machine ahead on each figure, with its lead.
| Figure | Cat 420 | JCB 4CX |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 7,834 kg | 8,600 kg |
| Gross powerHigher is better | 76 kW+2% | 74.2 kW |
| Max torqueHigher is better | 436 Nm | 440 Nm+1% |
| Max dig depthHigher is better | 4.278 m | 4.32 m+1% |
| Reach at ground level, from slew centreHigher is better | 5.6 m+4% | 5.4 m |
| Dump height with standard bucketHigher is better | 2.758 m+3% | 2.69 m |
| Maximum hinge pin heightHigher is better | 3.488 m+1% | 3.46 m |
| Shovel capacityHigher is better | 0.96 m³ | 1.2 m³+25% |
| Pump flowHigher is better | 187 L/min+13% | 165 L/min |
| Top speedHigher is better | 41 km/h+3% | 40 km/h |
| Cab roof heightLower is better | 2.815 m+7% | 3.03 m |
| Total travel length | 7.163 m | 5.91 m |
All specifications
Every figure the makers publish. Search for one, or show only those that differ.
Dimensions
Total travel length7.163 m5.91 m4CX
Overall length (loader on ground)7.132 mNot published
Total travel height3.645 mOverall transport height, standard stick3.54 m
Cab roof height2.815 mHeight to top of cab/canopy3.03 m
Height to top of exhaust stack2.72 mNot published
Rear axle centreline to front grille2.706 mNot published
Wheelbase2.2 m2.22 m
Overall width2.248 mNot published
Rear frame width2.322 m2.36 m
Shovel width (GP shovel)2.262 m2.33 mStandard shovel width, 4CX
Height to loader hinge pin (transport)0.378 mNot published
Ground clearance (LH step)0.316 mNot published
Ground clearance (AWD guard)0.312 mNot published
Ground clearance (485 kg counterweight)0.289 mNot published
Front wheel tread gauge1.895 mNot published
Rear wheel tread gauge1.728 mNot published
Stabiliser spread, operating (centre)3.31 mNot published
Stabiliser spread, operating (outside)3.77 mNot published
Turning circle, outside front wheels8.205 mInner wheel not brakedNot published
Turning circle, outside widest loader bucket10.745 mInner wheel not brakedNot published
Slew centre to rear axle centreNot published1.36 m
Ground clearance (stabiliser foot)Not published0.34 m
Slew ground clearanceNot published0.5 m
Steering wheel centre heightNot published1.88 m
Shovel width (option)Not published2.44 m
Approach angleNot published74°
Interference angle / ramp to ground planeNot published118°
Angle of departureNot published19°
Kerb-to-kerb turning circle (unbraked)Not published9.1 m
Loader clearance circle (unbraked)Not published10.7 m
Kerb-to-kerb turning circle (braked)Not published8 m
Loader clearance circle (braked)Not published9.5 m
Backhoe performance
Max dig depth4.278 mSAE maximum, standard stick4.32 m
Max dig depth (E-stick extended)5.372 mSAE maximum, extendible stick extendedNot published
Digging depth, 2440 mm flat bottom3.9 mNot published
Digging depth, 610 mm flat bottom4.24 m4.29 m
Reach at ground level, from slew centre5.6 m5.4 m
Reach at ground level, from slew centre (E-stick extended)6.641 mNot published
Reach from rear axle centreline at ground line6.69 m6.74 m
Max load-over height3.709 mLoading height, standard stick3.84 mMaximum loadover height, standard dipper
Loading reach1.845 mNot published
Maximum operating height (backhoe)5.598 mNot published
Bucket tearout force64 kN6,324 kgfPower mode, standard dipper
Dipper tearout force44 kN3,893 kgf
Swing arc180°Not published
Bucket rotation205°201°
Max dig depth (Extradig extended)Not published5.53 m
Max dig depth with deep profile bucketNot published4.67 m
Reach at full height, to slew centreNot published2.82 m
Side reach to machine centre lineNot published6.02 m
SAE operating heightNot published5.45 m
SAE loadover heightNot published3.39 m
Total kingpost travelNot published1.16 m
Max reach (extending dipper)Not published7.1 m
Bucket tearout force (speed mode)Not published5,431 kgf
Lift capacity of bucket pivot at full reachNot published2,046 kg
Loader performance
Shovel capacity0.96 m³GP bucket, SAE rated, pin-on1.2 m³
Lift capacity to full height3,280 kgNot published
Shovel breakout force50 kN6,227 kgfLoader breakout - shovel, GP shovel
Lift breakout force50 kN5,936 kgf
Tipping load at breakout point6,663 kgNot published
Dump height with standard bucket2.758 m2.69 m
Maximum hinge pin height3.488 m3.46 m
Dump angle at full height44°45°
Dump reach at maximum angle0.807 mNot published
Maximum bucket rollback at ground level36°Not published
Loader digging depth0.07 m0.14 m
Grille to bucket cutting edge, carry position1.48 mNot published
Maximum operating height (loader)4.356 mNot published
Max load-over height (loader)Not published3.21 m
Pin forward reachNot published0.41 m
Reach at ground (toe plate horizontal)Not published1.42 m
Maximum reach at full heightNot published1.21 m
Reach at full height, fully dumpedNot published0.82 m
Rollback at ground positionNot published45°
Rated operating capacityNot published4,638 kgGP shovel, ISO 14397:2007
Weight
Operating weight7,834 kg8,600 kg
Operating weight (maximum, ROPS capacity)11,000 kgNot published
Operating weight (minimum)7,384 kgNot published
Operating weight (brochure, fixed dipper)Not published8,178 kg
Operating weight (brochure, extended dipper)Not published8,578 kg
Engine
Engine modelCat C3.6, electronic turbo, intercooledJCB DieselMax 4.4, turbocharged and intercooled
EmissionsU.S. EPA Tier 4 Final / EU Stage VStage II / Stage IIIB
Displacement3.6 L4.4 L
Bore98 mmNot published
Stroke120 mmNot published
Gross power76 kW (102 hp)74.2 kW (100hp)ISO 14396 (SAE J1995 gross) at 2,200 rpm
Gross power (ISO 14396)74 kW (100 hp)At 2,200 rpm; 74.5 kW (100 hp) engine ratingNot published
Net power68 kW (91 hp)Not published
Net peak power78 kW (105 hp)Not published
Max torque436 Nm440 Nm
Gross power, 110 hp rating84 kW (112 hp)Not published
Net power, 110 hp rating76 kW (101 hp)Not published
Max torque, 110 hp rating485 NmNet, SAE J1349; 82 kW (110 hp) engine ratingNot published
CylindersNot published4
Transmission
TransmissionPower shift 4F/3R (standard); 6F/3R power shift optional, with or without LTCJCB Powershift 4F/4R with TorqueLock (standard, AWS 74.2 kW); 6-speed Autoshift optional
Top speed41 km/h40 km/h
Steer modesNot publishedFour-wheel steer, two-wheel steer, crab steer
Hydraulics
Hydraulic systemClosed center, load sensing; variable-flow axial piston pumpNot published
Pump flow187 L/minAt 2,200 rpm165 L/min
Max pressure250 bar251 barSystem relief pressure
Gear pump flow, pumps 1 & 3Not published82 or 80 L/min at 1,700 rpm (territory specific)
Gear pump flow, pump 2Not published73 or 64 L/min at 1,700 rpm (territory specific)
Tyres
Front tyres340/80-18Not published
Rear tyres500/70-24Not published
Service capacities
Fuel tank160 L160 L
Engine oil, with filter9 L15 L
Cooling system18 LWith air conditioning18.5 L
Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF)19 LNot published
Hydraulic system, with tank95 L117 L
Hydraulic tank42 LNot published
Transmission, power shift (AWD)19 LNot published
Rear axle16 L16 L
Front axle (AWD)11 LNot published
Final drive, front (each)0.7 LNot published
Final drive, rear (each)1.7 LNot published
Gearbox, with filterNot published16 L
Front drive axleNot published16 L
Service intervals
Engine oil and filter500 hoursor 12 monthsNot published
Transmission oil1,000 hoursNot published
Axle oil1,000 hoursNot published
Hydraulic oil3,000 hoursWith Cat HYDO Advanced 10Not published
Coolant12,000 hoursCat ELC, or 72 monthsNot published
Axles
Front axle static load ratingNot published25,000 kg
Front axle dynamic load ratingNot published12,500 kg
Rear axle static load ratingNot published25,000 kg
Rear axle dynamic load ratingNot published12,500 kg
Front axle oscillationNot published16°
Sources: Cat 420 Backhoe Loader specalog AEHQ8243-04 (2026) · JCB 3CX/4CX Eco Backhoe Loader brochure 9999/5756 11/13 Issue 1 (T2/T3), Galadari (UAE dealer) download
Drawn to scale
Side views measured off each maker's dimension drawing, front edges and ground lined up.
Cat 420 vs JCB 4CX: questions
Which is bigger, the Cat 420 or JCB 4CX?
By operating weight the JCB 4CX is the biggest at 8.6 t, then the Cat 420 at 7.83 t.
Which has more power, the Cat 420 or JCB 4CX?
The Cat 420: Cat 420 76 kW (102 hp), JCB 4CX 74.2 kW (100hp) (gross power), a 2% difference.
Which digs deeper, the Cat 420 or JCB 4CX?
The JCB 4CX: Cat 420 4.278 m, JCB 4CX 4.32 m (max dig depth), a 1% difference.
Which reaches further, the Cat 420 or JCB 4CX?
The Cat 420: Cat 420 5.6 m, JCB 4CX 5.4 m (reach at ground level, from slew centre), a 4% difference.
Which has the bigger bucket, the Cat 420 or JCB 4CX?
The JCB 4CX: Cat 420 0.96 m³, JCB 4CX 1.2 m³ (shovel capacity), a 25% difference.
Where do these figures come from?
Each model's own published spec sheet or brochure, linked under the table. Builds differ by market and year, so confirm the figures for a particular machine with its dealer.
Can I rent or buy these machines in the UAE?
Each model's page lists the ones for hire and for sale on EquipmentsFinder now, with typical prices in AED.
