JCB, a manufacturer of backhoe loaders, will showcase its innovative Dual Drive system for backhoe loaders at PWX 2026.
Designed to transform the way operators work, Dual Drive enables machine movement while remaining seated in the excavator operating position, eliminating the need to continually rotate the seat and reposition the machine using the loader controls, according to JCB.
"Dual Drive is one of those innovations that immediately changes the operator experience," said James Gill, product manager of JCB North America. "For applications like trenching, ditch cleaning, utility installation and municipal maintenance, operators can now reposition the machine without leaving the excavator controls. It reduces downtime between digging cycles and helps crews accomplish more throughout the day."
Public Works Productivity
Versatility has always been one of the defining advantages of a backhoe loader. Unlike dedicated excavation equipment, a backhoe loader can travel between tasks, load materials, excavate trenches and perform a wide range of construction, utility and maintenance applications with a single machine.
"We're continuing to expand what a backhoe loader can do," said Gill. "Dual Drive gives operators another reason to choose a backhoe for applications that demand both mobility and precision, especially in urban and infrastructure work."
During excavation applications, operators have traditionally needed to pause periodically to move the machine forward, rotating the seat and shifting from the excavator controls to the loader controls before returning to work.
Dual Drive eliminates that interruption by allowing operators to move the machine while remaining in the excavator operating position, according to JCB. Dual Drive also enhances material handling applications by allowing operators to reposition the machine while maintaining full focus on the excavator end, added the company.
This expanded capability creates new opportunities for backhoe utilization in confined job sites and urban environments where productivity and maneuverability are critical.
