JCB today celebrated a major machine milestone with the production of its one millionth Backhoe Loader.

The first JCB Backhoe rolled off the production line in Rocester, Staffordshire in 1953. Called the Mark One, it brought the new wonder of hydraulic power to construction equipment for the first time.

In the first full year of production in 1954 just 35 of the machines were built and it took more than 20 years for the first 50,000 to be made. It took 59 years for the first half million JCB Backhoes to be manufactured – but less than 13 years for the next half million to be produced, culminating in today’s celebrations.

JCB now manufactures Backhoe Loaders in the UK, India, Brazil and it remains one of the most versatile and productive machines in the world. Despite the maturity of the versatile Backhoe Loader, it is still one of the biggest selling pieces of construction machinery and it remains the world’s 4th most popular machine in the construction equipment sales league table.

The one millionth JCB Backhoe to be produced was a 4CX model, which has been decorated in graffiti art by London-based artist and illustrator Dave Smith (aka Hatch), and presented to Lord Bamford at today’s celebrations.

https://www.jcb.com/en-US/explore/insight/news/2025/01/one-million-and-counting-as-jcb-marks-major-backhoe-milestone/