While this story was inspired by my children, the little yellow digger was inspired by a JCB 3CX Backhoe and if you show most people a photo of a little yellow digger it is likely to be called a JCB even if it is not one and why I am delighted JCB were happy to be associated with my story.
All eight yellow diggers throughout the story are illustrated resembling well-known JCB machines, below is a little more about each machine.
JCB Backhoe – 3CX (The Little Yellow Digger)
When most people think of JCBs, the Backhoe Loader’s the one that comes to mind. Loads of people have tried to copy it, but no-one’s been able to better it. It’s the original and the best!
With that beefy bucket and arm on the back (that’s the bit that’s called the Backhoe) and the huge strong shovel on the front, they can do just about any job, anywhere! There’s four main models in the range and each one of them’s a classic design. It’s no wonder JCB use these machines as their dancing diggers!
Where are you most likely to see a JCB Backhoe Loader?
- Building Sites
- Roadworks
- Demolition Jobs
- Recycling Stations
JCB Earthmovers – Wheeled Loading Shovels
Don’t get in the way of one of these fellas, they’re as strong as they are massive! Just look at that shovel on the front – you and your mates could have a party in there, and still have room to spare, so imagine how much stuff they can move around in one day!
People use these for everything from road gritting to recycling, because they can carry just about anything anyone wants them to. Check out those wheels too, they can take you anywhere you want to go, and fast!
Where are you most likely to see a JCB Wheeled Loader?
- Recycle Stations
- Quarries
- Roadworks
- Farms
JCB Loadall – Telescopic Handler
When you see a telescopic handler parked there doing nothing, it doesn’t look too different from most other JCBs, but when it gets working, you’ll see why people love it. It’s got an extending arm that shoots out of the top and reaches about five metres out from the cabin (pace it out – it’s a long way!).
That big long arm means they’re useful almost anywhere, but they’re at their best when they’re used to load stuff to and from spots that are really tough to get to. So next time you get a ball stuck in a tree, just think how handy a JCB Telescopic Handler would be!
Where are you most likely to see a JCB Telescopic Handler?
- House Building Sites
- Farms
- Forestry Centres
- Recycling Stations
- Formula One Grand Prix races
JCB Heavy Products – Hydradig
The JCB Hydradig was the first true wheeled excavator designed for purpose, by moving the engine from behind to underneath meant the hydradig could spin round in circles in much smaller spaces while similar machines could not.
With one long arm that could spin round to any area around the machine while having the power to lift large weights in multiple buckets meant it can do most jobs, anywhere!
Where are you most likely to see a JCB Hydradig?
- Building Sites
- Roadworks
- Demolition Jobs
- Recycling Stations
JCB Heavy Products – Tracked Excavator
These are some of the biggest JCBs you’ll ever see, and they are totally unstoppable. There’re two kinds, the tracked ones and the wheeled ones, so whoever’s using them can make sure they always get enough grip, wherever they are!
Tracked ones are great for slippy mud because they’ve got huge tracks that dig into anything, and wheeled ones are so easy to transport you can take them anywhere you need. But they both have one thing in common – they shift mud like they’re its number one enemy.
Where are you most likely to see a JCB Excavator?
- Roadworks
- Farms
- Quarries
- Recycling Stations
- Waterways maintenance
JCB Landpower – Fastrac (Tractor)
If you’ve ever been stuck behind a tractor on a road, you can bet it wasn’t a JCB Fastrac, because even though they’re like normal tractors, they can go at up to 65km per hour, and that’s fast.
In fact they even got their name because of their speediness – Fastrac is just short for Fast Tractor – and because they can zoom along so quickly, there isn’t another tractor like it! And they’re not just great on the road, because the clever bods at JCB have worked out that when it’s doing work it can cover more than 30% more ground than a normal tractor. Wow!
Where are you most likely to see a JCB Fastrac?
- Roadworks
- Farms
- Cutting grass verges
- Snow Ploughing
JCB Inc – Skidsteer
Skid Steer Loaders sound like fun, and they are. You can use them for virtually anything, and they’re so manouverable you can plonk them down wherever you are, and let them get on with it. You’ll see them on farms, building sites, gardens, roads, industrial sites – anywhere and everywhere!
And why are they so popular? Because even though they’re quite titchy, they can lift up to 4600kg, and in case you’re wondering, that’s about as much as 100 of you would weigh. That’s strong!
Where are you most likely to see a Skid steer loader?
- Building Sites
- Farms
- Roadworks
- Recycling Stations
JCB Compact – Mini Excavator
They’re small, but they pack a punch! JCB’s Mini Excavator is so narrow it could fit through your front door. Even its big brother the Midi is still pretty tiny, so it’s no wonder you see them most on places like building sites and roadworks, where there just isn’t that much space!
You can use them to shift mud, dig trenches, or even nip into dodgy old houses that are in for a spot of demolishing. Keep your eyes peeled next time you’re out and about – you can see them all over the place if you look out!
Where are you most likely to see a JCB Mini Excavator?
- Laying gas pipes
- House Building Sites
- Roadworks
- Demolition Sites
