THE BACKBONE OF ANY FLEET

On construction sites across the East Midlands, one machine has become a symbol of versatility, reliability and sheer staying power - the JCB backhoe loader, which has been a tireless workhorse for nearly seven decades for leading rental firm Meynell Plant Hire.

Meynell’s latest addition, a new 4CX PRO DualDrive model, brings the story right up to date. Featuring JCB’s latest innovations in productivity, comfort and control, it’s a modern evolution of a machine, the JCB 3C, that first arrived on the company’s sites in 1965 and has been ever present since.

TRADITION MEETS TECHNOLOGY

Meynell Plant Hire Ltd, part of Leicestershire-based Jelson Holdings, has been supporting the group’s housebuilding and development activities since 1956. Today, its JCB backhoe fleet stands at 16-strong, deployed daily across Jelson Homes’ traditionally-built new developments and industrial projects.

Through constant evolution, JCB has become synonymous with the concept of a wheeled machine, with a bucket at one end and a shovel at the other. Over 73 years, the backhoe loader has been the very cornerstone of construction and plant hire businesses across the world with the one millionth backhoe rolling off JCB’s production line earlier this year.

JCB has continued to develop and refine the concept, achieving sales success and market leadership in every corner of the globe with a highly efficient, productive, versatile and reliable backhoe loader that provides customers with one machine that can carry out a multitude of tasks.

Depot Manager at Meynell Plant Hire, Mark Stone said: “We’ve always stuck with JCB. They’ve supported us well, and the machines do exactly what we need. Backhoes especially - they’re the Swiss army knife on site. We’d be lost without them.”

MORE FOR LESS

Meynell’s backhoe loaders are used for a huge variety of tasks ranging from site clearance, trenching and foundation excavation to drainage, roading, lifting and materials handling. Each machine can replace several others - reducing site congestion, fuel use and emissions in the process. This kind of efficiency is a major benefit for housebuilders like Jelson Homes – the housebuilding arm of Jelson Holdings - which value streamlined operations and reliability.

Mark Stone said: “They dig, load, lift and move. They’re involved in nearly every job from start to finish. And we’re not just talking about minor tasks - they do the real heavy lifting too.”

"THEY DIG, LOAD, LIFT AND MOVE. THEY'RE INVOLVED IN NEARLY EVERY JOB FROM START TO FINISH..."

RAISING THE BAR

Meynell’s latest acquisition, the 4CX PRO, marks a continued evolution of the backhoe loader concept which JCB pioneered in 1953. It is fitted with JCB’s innovative DualDrive system, which allows the operator to reposition it while still seated at the rear-facing excavator controls – ideal for trenching, grading and working in tight spaces.

Mark Stone said: “On confined sites, JCB’s DualDrive feature is a game-changer. You can just reverse or reposition without leaving the seat. It’s safer, quicker and far more efficient.”

Additional upgrades on the latest JCB backhoe loader models include:

■ A new single loader lever for shovel and transmission control

■ Return-to-grade function for faster, accurate levelling

■ Mounting points for 2D laser level systems

■ Upgraded fork carriage for improved load stability

■ Autoshift transmission with TorqueLock, improving travel speed and reducing fuel use

In independent trials, the 4CX delivered 63% faster cycle times and used 73% less fuel than a 13-tonne tracked excavator when moving 50 tonnes of stone. Compared to an eight-tonne excavator and site dumper working together, it was 25% faster and used 50% less fuel - proving that one machine really can do more for less.

BUILT FOR BUILDING

Joiner and shopfitter James Jelley first set up in business in Leicester in 1889, laying the foundations for Jelson Holdings. Still a family-run business, the company manufactures its own windows, joinery and internal block walls, alongside the housebuilding developments with many trades employed directly through the Jelson Holdings group.

That same in-house ethos applies to its plant operations. Meynell Plant Hire not only specifies equipment carefully for every job but also involves operators directly in the procurement process.

Mark Stone said: “Our operators are key to what we buy. They know what works in the real world. Comfort, capability, ease of use – the 4CX PRO ticks all the boxes.”

Beyond the backhoe, Meynell’s JCB fleet includes tracked excavators, Loadalls – including a 26-metre rotating telescopic handler for lifting roof trusses – compact excavators, compaction rollers and a pair of 220X crawler excavators equipped with mulching head attachments. Each is supplied by dealer Watling JCB, in a proven partnership that dates back to 1976.

FUEL OF THE FUTURE

While clean diesel machines still dominate site operations, Meynell has shown a keen interest in what comes next – and that includes hydrogen. The company recently took part in a customer evaluation of JCB’s hydrogen-powered backhoe loader, trialling the machine alongside its diesel counterparts on a new housing site.

Used for typical on-site tasks such as loading brick packs on to scaffolding, transporting materials and digging footings, the hydrogen backhoe performed seamlessly. Mark Stone said: “There was no drop in power, and the operators couldn’t tell it apart from the diesel model. We were genuinely impressed; the hydrogen-powered backhoe did everything we asked of it.”

The backhoe evaluated is powered by a hydrogen internal combustion engine developed in-house by JCB. It delivers identical power, torque and performance to its diesel equivalent, but with zero carbon emissions at the tailpipe – just water vapour and steam. Crucially, it can be refuelled on site in minutes, using a mobile bowser system, offering rapid turnaround and minimal disruption to site operations.

This development forms part of JCB’s £100 million investment into hydrogen power – a programme personally led by Chairman Anthony Bamford. To date, over 50,000 hours of testing have been logged across various hydrogen-powered machines, including backhoe loaders, Loadalls and generators. JCB is already working with key customers across the UK to deploy the technology in real-world conditions.

As other early adopters have observed, the benefits are clear: same performance, zero emissions, quick refuelling and full compatibility with demanding daily workloads. The hydrogen engine is also simpler and more familiar than some electric systems – using known mechanical technologies with a cleaner fuel source.

For a housebuilding-focused firm like Meynell Plant Hire, hydrogen could prove to be a practical path to low-carbon operations without compromise. Mark Stone said: “We’re definitely interested when they become available to buy. If you can get zero emissions without compromising on performance or uptime, why wouldn’t you?”

THE BEST OF THE BEST

Meynell’s relationship with JCB spans 60 years and continues to evolve. With the 4CX PRO DualDrive, the company has added a machine that’s modern, multi-functional and operator approved. A worthy successor to a long line of dependable workhorses.

“WE’VE HAD A LOT OF BACKHOES OVER THE YEARS AND EVERY SINGLE ONE HAS EARNED ITS PLACE. THE NEW 4CX PRO WITH DUALDRIVE IS THE BEST YET.”