JCB backhoe achieves new world record

SAVANNAH, Ga. - JCB's 3CX Backhoe Loader has earned a world record by completing a 26-day, 3,185-mile road trip across America. The epic “Backhoe Across America” fundraising trek beat the existing record for “The Longest Journey in an Excavator” by 600 miles and has secured the company a place in “The Guinness Book of World Records.”
 
With JCB veteran Neil Smith at the controls and support from a Backhoe Across America crew, the JCB 3CX set off from Tybee Island, Ga. on March 26, carrying a bucket of East Coast sand.
 
After spending more than 100 hours in the cab at speeds averaging 27 mph, Smith drove the machine onto the beach at the Santa Monica, Calif. pier on April 20 and dropped off the Tybee Island sand. “It's been an amazing journey," Smith said. "The JCB backhoe performed brilliantly, and it has been an incredible way to see the country.”
 
Along the way, the crew made stops at JCB dealerships in eight cities to help raise awareness and funds for the American Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Fund. The fundraising stops were the only stops Smith and his crew had to make because no unscheduled service checks were needed.
 
“I am proud of the team for completing the rigorous journey and for earning a world record," said JCB chairman and CEO John Patterson. “It has been wonderful to see the support we have received not only from this community, but from our dealers and their communities across the country.”

The new 3CX comes with an EcoRoad feature that resulted in 30 percent fuel savings throughout the Backhoe Across America journey. To further increase fuel efficiency, the new generation backhoes feature an EcoDig system resulting in an average of 15 percent fuel savings while working in ground-engaging applications.

You catch the daily video logs and see what Smith and his crew encountered on the road by visiting www.jcbforhaiti.com