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 mi. 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 newly updated JCB 3CX set off from Tybee Island, Ga., on March 26, carrying a bucket of East Coast sand.

After spending 119.5 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.”

The JCB backhoe that completed the epic journey features a new design that includes a re-styled counterweight and new vertical grille design.

In addition to the new styling on the machine, 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, according to the manufacturer.

Along the way, the crew made “pit 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 pit stops were the only stops Smith and his crew had to make. The JCB backhoe stood up to the ultimate test of endurance, durability and reliability with no unscheduled service checks.

“I am proud of the team for completing the rigorous journey and for earning a world record,” said JCB Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive John Patterson. “It has been wonderful to see the support we have received not only from this community, but from our dealers and their communi