Based on the JCB 3 the 3C incorparated a number of improvements over the earlier machine. The backhoe had a reach of 18ft over the 3's 15ft, the front shovel arms were larger and longer and the front loader had increased capacity.The cab is larger and more spacious than that of the 3.
The 3C shares many similarities with the 3. Both have hydraslide kingposts and backhoe rails. They also share the same Fordson Super Major skid unit.
It was probably brought new by a plant hire / coal merchant company based between Ipswich and Colchester. (DX is an Ipswich regestration). It was sold to KK Construction of Brandon during the summer of 1972. During 1974 the machine was completly stripped, shot blasted, resprayed and re-built for KK Construction. It was replaced by another JCB in 1978 and sold to Ed Gowler, our neighbours father. Our neighbour sold it to a local farmer in 1999 who intended to use it to dig a fishing lake. After sitting his yard for three years I aquired it was aquired by myself.
From the serial plate in the cab and on the skid unit it would appear that the JCB was built around October 1963, with the skid unit being possibly made around July of that year.
Many thanks to KK Construction of Brandon for the information on the machines early history.
