Making a JCB 3CX Slew Lock Plate
by John
I have a 35 year old JCB back hoe, a left over from when I grew olive trees and made olive oil. These days it is used only as a yard crane, and other small jobs on a 5 acre property. But since I am between model engine and cannon projects I decided to expend some TLC on the rather neglected JCB.
One feature which always made me grimace was the broken slew lock plate.

A new plate is $AUD 1300 + GST I could not find a machine for wrecking, and was told that wrecked JCB 3CX’s are almost unknown, most owners, mostly farmers, keep them going for ever.
So I measured up the plate, drew it up on CAD, and had it laser cut from 20mm plate.

Deep V fillets were ground, and MIG welded.

Nicely done John.
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Nice work John. Looks very professional and more substantial than the oem version.
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Nice work! I bought a JCB 4CX last year, now i’m changing the gland seals on the main boom cylinder. My slew plate is missing. Could I get a copy of your design for the slew plate. it looks exactly like on the 4CX.
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Sure. You will need to send me an email address. John
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