stick with jcb or switch to cat?

[Teo_McDohl]

Picked up a 2012 JCB 3CX with about 2300 hrs from a rental auction a couple years back. Machine itself has been solid, but dealer support has been brutal. Lost 2nd gear fwd under load, pulled the box, rebuilt it, but messed up a seal housing. Also had solenoid issues I couldn't nail down, so I sent it to the JCB dealer in NC.

They say the loom needed replacing ($7k), did the tranny reinstall, and three months later it's still not running. Bill's at $13k and counting, and now they're shrugging like it's my problem. At this point, I'm paying for downtime with nothing to show for it. The 3CX itself is a great machine, but support is killing me. Do I stick it out and risk having an expensive parts donor, or cut my losses and jump to Cat where dealer networks are deeper?

 

[digdumpdrive1263]

It's a tough situation, 3CX is definitely reliable, but if you're not getting the support you need from your dealer and downtime is piling up, it might be worth considering a switch to Cat for the long haul. Their parts availability and service network are much more robust.

 

[boom&bucket]

That's rough, $13K invested and still not working after three months points to big problems with that dealer. A 3CX can be a great machine when it's properly maintained, but poor dealer support can make it useless. Try contacting other JCB dealers in your area, some are far better than others. If that doesn't help, consider switching brands to get more reliable service.

 

[dust-free_mojo]

Both replies make valid points about switching brands and I'd add that before jumping ship, it might be worth getting a second opinion from another JCB dealer or an independent tech with experience in 3CX electrical systems. If you haven't already, check whether the dealer used OEM parts or aftermarket substitutes, since mismatched components can cause lingering issues. Let us know if you've made any progress since August.

 

[lotusplaza55]

That's rough, $13K invested and still not working after three months points to big problems with that dealer. A 3CX can be a great machine when it's properly maintained, but poor dealer support can make it useless. Try contacting other JCB dealers in your area, some are far better than others. If that doesn't help, consider switching brands to get more reliable service.

Yep, I agree that's quite rough. Can anyone tell if a dealer's actually reliable before committing? And if switching brands, which ones have better support in your experience?

 

[dust-free_mojo]

Yep, I agree that's quite rough. Can anyone tell if a dealer's actually reliable before committing? And if switching brands, which ones have better support in your experience?

When vetting a dealer, I usually suggest calling their parts and service counters directly, rather than just sales. You can tell a lot about an operation by how they handle a few technical questions. As for brand support, it's almost always more about the quality of the local dealer than the brand name on the machine. Cat and Deere have the biggest networks but a good local dealer for any major brand can make all the difference.

 

[Guav444]

They say the loom needed replacing ($7k), did the tranny reinstall, and three months later it's still not running. Bill's at $13k and counting, and now they're shrugging like it's my problem. At this point, I'm paying for downtime with nothing to show for it. The 3CX itself is a great machine, but support is killing me. Do I stick it out and risk having an expensive parts donor, or cut my losses and jump to Cat where dealer networks are deeper?

oh, that $7k loom replacement sounds like a huge red flag, especially since it didn't fix the problem. The dealer might just be throwing parts at it.
For a tricky transmission issue, you might have better luck finding a specialized heavy equipment transmission shop outside of the dealership network. They often have more experience with specific problems and won't just follow a diagnostic flowchart that leads to an expensive part swap

 

[Juli_Mizrahi]

Before you bail, maybe check if there's an independent JCB mechanic nearby. Some guys know these machines better than the dealers. If you can find one, you might save that $13k headache. If not, then yeah, Cat's dealer net will make your life way easier long-term.