The ACE Phantom TLB is a backhoe loader with 72 kW (96 hp) engine power and 8040 kg operating weight. It costs from R 899 500 excl. VAT, with finance, nationwide delivery and a local warranty from MCM Group's four branches.
Price and details updated 9 June 2026
Delivered anywhere in South Africa by our own transporter or a third party, with transport quoted by deck space and delivery address. A machine in stock is prepared for collection or delivery the same or next day once payment is confirmed, and is delivered in most cases within 4 to 8 business days. A machine not in stock needs 7 to 10 working days, or up to 3 months depending on the machine and shipping. Shipping & delivery policy
Talk to an MCM equipment specialist about specs, attachments, finance & nationwide delivery.
The ACE Phantom 4×4 TLB is a heavy-duty backhoe loader built for construction, farming, plant hire, and municipal work. It is powered by a 96HP KIRLOSKAR 4R1040TA turbo diesel engine, delivering strong performance for digging, loading, trenching, and general earthmoving tasks.
With an 8,040kg operating weight, 4×4 drive, 1.1m³ loader bucket, and 4.25m maximum digging depth, the ACE Phantom is built for tough South African working conditions where power, reach, and reliability matter.
Key specifications and prices side by side to help you pick the right machine.
| Model | Engine Power | Operating Weight | Max Digging Depth | From* (excl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACE Phantom TLBBest for: Deep trenching and civil construction | 72 kW (96 hp) | 8040 kg | 4.25 m | From R 899 500 |
| MCM 388 TLBBest for: Heavy construction, roadworks and plant hire | 81 kW (109 hp) | 8200 kg | 3.97 m | R 850 000 |
| MCM 18X TLBBest for: Smallholdings, landscaping and tight urban sites | 25 kW (33 hp) | 2350 kg | 1.85 m | R 329 500 |
| MCM 76X TLBBest for: Civil works and heavy loading | 76 kW (102 hp) | 6800 kg | 3.62 m | R 725 000 |
| MCM 33X TLBBest for: Small farms, plumbing and residential building | 36.8 kW (49 hp) @ 2300 rpm | 3800 kg | 2.64 m | From R 450 000 |
* Prices exclude VAT.
A practical guide for South African contractors and earthmovers considering the Phantom — full-size TLB performance at a fraction of the JCB or Caterpillar price.
The Phantom is the right buy for the operator who needs full-size TLB capability without the full-size brand premium. Typical Phantom buyers are: commercial construction contractors moving foundations, slabs, and bulk earth daily; civil engineering firms working on roads, drainage, and culverts; large-scale farmers running dam construction, feed-pad earthworks, and orchard preparation; and utility installers trenching for fibre, water, or sewer at depth. If your TLB is on a single project for months at a time and you're loading trucks every shift, this is your machine.
A Phantom will dig trenches to 4.25 m — deep enough for sewer connections, deep foundations, and most utility work — load a 10-tonne tipper in 6–8 cycles with the 1.1 m³ front bucket, and lift 1 900 kg of bulk material per cycle. Realistic shift productivity: 80–120 cubic metres of soil moved or 25–40 tonnes loaded. The 96 hp Kirloskar 4R1040TA diesel delivers torque that handles tough material — wet clay, compacted gravel, broken rock — without bogging down. Expect 8–11 litres per hour fuel use under continuous load.
The Phantom is in the same working class as a JCB 3CX or Caterpillar 428 — but at R899 500 excl. VAT, it costs roughly a third of what those imported brand machines fetch new. A Carraro planetary-drive rear axle and the proven Kirloskar engine give you the durability you'd expect from a premium-class TLB; what you give up is the badge. Compared inside MCM's own range, the Phantom is the natural step up from the 37X compact TLB when your work moves from residential and smallholding scale to commercial and infrastructure scale.
The Phantom is a full-size TLB and transports on a low-bed trailer, not a standard car trailer — you'll need a transport contractor or your own qualified low-bed for inter-site moves. That's standard for any 8-tonne-class machine. The trade-off is that once the Phantom is on site, it stays on site for the duration of the project — no daily trailering — and earns enough per shift to absorb the transport cost easily. MCM Group arranges nationwide delivery from Cape Town, George, Gauteng, and Bloemfontein.
The Phantom starts at R899 500 excl. VAT. Finance is available through MCM's approved partners on instalment sale, financial lease, or operating lease — with monthly costs that typically come in at 50–60% of what you'd pay financing an equivalent imported brand-name TLB. Section 12B and standard SARS wear-and-tear allowances apply: see our guide on choosing the right finance structure. Warranty is backed by MCM's local parts depot and technician network at every branch.
One of our repeat customers in Krugersdorp — taking delivery of his second ACE Phantom — summed it up to our sales team in five words: "It does what the big ones do." Another customer towed his Phantom 96 km to a job, and reported back that it pulled like a tractor on the way and dug like a TLB twice its price once on site. The pattern across the Phantom buyer base is consistent: contractors who try one usually buy a second, because the working capability matches the imported alternatives but the cost-per-hour comes in significantly lower.
Get a personalised quote, finance options, and full after-sales support from MCM Group's nationwide branch network.
Based on 11 reviews
ACE Phantom TLBEk is moerse impressed met die masjien! Die size is beslis groter as ’n JCB, en ek kan nie glo julle prys is laer nie. Die ding is baie sterk, ek is regtig beindruk met die krag. Ek sit die aircon aan en binne 2 minute, toe vries my ballas af, haha, Maar kyk… die masjien is piele hoor. Love hom!
ACE Phantom TLBMet die machine skuif ek berge 💪🏻
ACE Phantom TLBI've owner a 3DX JCB before and can honestly say the ACE Phantom has more power of some aspects. My Phantom works every day for the municipality. Very happy thanks guys
ACE Phantom TLBDie ACE Phantom is 'n goeie masjien. Hy is beter as die JCB. Hy is vinnig op sy eerste rat en sy grou arm. Sy boom agter is vinnig, hy het baie krag. Dis 'n goeie masjien.
ACE Phantom TLBWe are very happy with our Phantom TLB. It delivers enough power to get all our jobs done on site. Strong machine. We get great service from the MCM team in Gauteng.
ACE Phantom TLBI purchased my Phantom TLB for construction work in Gauteng. This machine can handle the work we throw at it. Highly recommend for construction. And we get great support from MCM
ACE Phantom TLBGou vandag n droe dam uitgesort voor die reen kom💪🏻💪🏻 Sorting out a dry dam today before the rain comes 💪🏻💪🏻
ACE Phantom TLBI've now had my Phantom model for a few months, which is not a lot but man, it's a nice TLB. I've had JCB and Bell's over the years and the Phantom fits my needs perfectly. Right up there with the big brands. Great job and keep it up!
ACE Phantom TLBMy Phantom is strong. Doing well on my sites. Higher performance than my older 3CX.
ACE Phantom TLBThe Phantom has more power than our previous 3CX. Good performance in general and works well on our sites. Thanks guys!
ACE Phantom TLBJohannes and his team assisted me with the streamlined purchase of my Phantom TLB. Can't wait to get this TLB to work on my sites.
The ACE Phantom TLB starts from R 899 500 excl. VAT at MCM Group. The final price depends on configuration and any attachments — contact your nearest branch or request a quote for current pricing and available specials.
The ACE Phantom TLB has an operating weight of 8040 kg and an engine power of 72 kW (96 hp).
The ACE Phantom TLB digs to a maximum depth of 4.25 m.
The ACE Phantom TLB has a 1.1 m³ front loader bucket, a 0.24 m³ backhoe bucket and a rated load of 1900 kg.
The ACE Phantom TLB is best for deep trenching and civil construction. Our TLB comparison puts all 12 TLBs side by side.
On their spec sheets (the ACE Phantom TLB first): engine power 72 kW (96 hp) against 76 kW (102 hp); operating weight 8040 kg against 6800 kg; maximum digging depth 4.25 m against 3.62 m; loader bucket capacity 1.1 m³ against 1.0 m³; backhoe bucket capacity 0.24 m³ against 0.3 m³; rated load 1900 kg against 2500 kg. Prices excl. VAT: ACE Phantom TLB R 899 500 – R 945 000; MCM 76X TLB R 725 000. See the MCM 76X TLB.
On their spec sheets (the ACE Phantom TLB first): engine power 72 kW (96 hp) against 75 kW (100 hp); operating weight 8040 kg against 8200 kg; maximum digging depth 4.25 m against 4.09 m; loader bucket capacity 1.1 m³ against 1.0 m³; backhoe bucket capacity 0.24 m³ against 0.3 m³; rated load 1900 kg against 2500 kg. Prices excl. VAT: ACE Phantom TLB R 899 500 – R 945 000; LGMA LG388 TLB R 875 000. See the LGMA LG388 TLB.
Yes. MCM Group submits your finance application to multiple banks and asset-finance houses simultaneously — including Nedbank, WesBank and Standard Bank. Approval typically takes 48 to 72 hours and we handle the paperwork end-to-end.
The ACE Phantom TLB includes a local warranty, with genuine parts and technical support available through MCM Group's National Parts Division and four branches (Cape Town, George, Bloemfontein, Midrand). Service and warranty are handled in-country — no waiting on overseas suppliers.
Yes. MCM Group delivers the ACE Phantom TLB anywhere in South Africa from our four branches (Cape Town, George, Bloemfontein, Midrand), by our own transporter or a third party, with transport quoted by deck space and delivery address. A machine in stock is prepared for collection or delivery the same or next day once payment is confirmed, and is delivered in most cases within 4 to 8 business days. A machine not in stock needs 7 to 10 working days, or up to 3 months depending on the machine and shipping.
Buy the ACE Phantom TLB from MCM Group at any of our four branches — Cape Town, George, Bloemfontein, Midrand — or request a quote on this page for delivery anywhere in South Africa, starting from R 899 500 excl. VAT. Phone +27 81 885 0535 or email sales@mcmco.co.za.
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