JCB India launches first dual-fuel CNG backhoe loader

JCB India, the leading manufacturer of earthmoving and construction equipment, today launched the industry’s first dual-fuel CNG (compressed natural gas) backhoe loader in India.

Called JCB 3DX DFi, this new machine can operate on CNG and diesel simultaneously using  HCCI (Homogenous Charge Compression Ignition) technology. 

The machine was launched in New Delhi by Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport & Highways and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. He has been a leading voice for the development of construction machinery that uses alternate fuels.

Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari launched the dual-fuel JCB 3DX DFi.

The utilisation of alternate fuels is a significant step-change in the construction equipment industry. Since the JCB 3DX DFi operates on a mixture of CNG and diesel, there is a substantial drop in particulate emissions, claims the company.

CNG is also more economical and helps lower the operating costs to the end customer. With the global concern on environment and sustainability, JCB India the machine has been indigenously developed and  tested in various operating conditions before its launch. It will be built at company’s Delhi-NCR factory at Ballabgarh.

This dual-fuel CNG backhoe loader is based on the popular 3DX model and offers flexible fuelling, which will help customers sustain operations in remote areas of the country, where a CNG refilling point is unavailable.

According to JCB India's CEO and MD, Deepak Shetty, “Throughout our four decades of operations in India, we have continued to invest in innovation. This dual-fuel machine can substitute diesel with CNG and has to developed to cater to the evolving needs of our customers. It will also be exported.” 

Deepak Shetty further said “JCB has been working on this project with the inputs of its customers, dealers and suppliers. These machines have been tested at actual customer sites across various geographies and terrains and feedback has been incorporated in the development of the product.”