Britains JCB 3CX Backhoe Loader is a 1:32 scale model digger.
Britains is a brand of the giant Japanese Takara Tomy toy company. Britains are renowned manufacturers of accurate scale farm toys and vehicles.
As a scale model this toy digger does have a lot of small components. For this reason it should be stressed right away that the digger is unsuitable for children under the age of 36 months.
However, because of its incredible accuracy and attention to detail, Britains JCB 3CX will definitely appeal to older digger fans. Immediately in the box at first glance this toy digger looks absolutely superb. What’s more in hand its solid and weighty at over 800g, or nearly 2lbs.
This is a quality die-cast model. Plastic is used only for the cab, the silver exhaust pipe and the linkage to the backhoe.
The paintwork is superb with the iconic gleaming JCB yellow coachwork highlighted by the black components. The JCB decals are similarly impressive giving the whole piece a ringing air of authenticity.
The front loader has a very good range of movement and holds whatever position it is posed in extremely well. The boom and stick of the backhoe articulate well as does the bucket.
The entire backhoe can be made to slide from side to side along the frame on which the stabilizers are fixed. It should be pointed out that the stabilizer legs themselves are fixed in position and cannot be moved up or down.
Another unexpected bonus is that the wheels at the front of the cab can be moved simultaneously on their axle through roughly 45 degrees to make the free-wheeling digger turn in a circle.
The tractor unit of the digger, that’s not including the front loader and backhoe, measures roughly 12cm from the front grille to the stabilizers, and just under 10cms from the top of the operator’s cab to the bottom treads of the tyres.
The tyres are solid rubber with a good moulded tread pattern.
The interior of the cab is well detailed, though not accessible. The operator’s station features front and side instrument panels, a detailed steering wheel and a driver’s seat with double arm rests and a JCB logo in the seatback.
In summary, the JCB 3CX by Britains is a wonderfully detailed scale model of an iconic JCB digger. If you are looking for more of a kick-about toy digger that kids can play and dig with outside in the dirt and sand this may not be your best bet. But for a truly impressive display piece or indoor bedroom toy, you cannot go wrong with this superbly designed digger toy.
