The MCM 37X TLB is a backhoe loader with 36.8 kW (49.3 hp) engine power and 5000 kg operating weight. It costs from R 525 000 excl. VAT, with finance, nationwide delivery and a local warranty from MCM Group's four branches.
Price and details updated 22 October 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.
Developed by MCM since 2017, the 37X Compact TLB has proven itself as a reliable, high-performance TLB solution for contractors, farmers, and owner-operators who need maximum capability in a compact footprint.
Designed for digging, trenching, back-filling, and material handling, the 37X delivers impressive power and versatility for its size class. While classified as a light-duty TLB, it is engineered to handle a wide range of real-world applications with ease — including construction, excavation, demolition work, landscaping, asphalt breaking, paving, and general site maintenance.
Its compact dimensions make it ideal for tight access sites, residential projects, and areas where larger TLBs are impractical, while still offering the strength, stability, and hydraulic performance expected from an MCM machine.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCM 37X TLBBest for: Residential building, trenching and farm work | 36.8 kW (49.3 hp) | 5000 kg | 3.33 m | From R 525 000 |
| 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, farmers, and owner-operators considering the 37X.
The 37X is built for the buyer who needs real TLB capability without the size, transport cost, or price of a full-size machine. Typical 37X owners are: small-plot contractors doing residential excavation; smallholders and weekend farmers running irrigation, dam, or fence-line work; landscapers and paving teams who need a loader and a backhoe in one; and owner-operators who can't justify a 96 hp machine on the volume of work they actually win. If your jobs average less than a week and tight access matters, this is your TLB.
On a normal working day a 37X will dig footings to 3.33 m depth, load a 6-tonne tipper truck in roughly 8–10 cycles with the 0.8 m³ front bucket, push and grade material across a quarter-acre site, and break light asphalt or concrete with the right rear attachment. Realistic productivity: 30–50 cubic metres of soil moved per shift, depending on operator skill and material type. Fuel use sits in the 4–6 litres-per-hour range under typical load, which works out to roughly R140–R200/hour at current diesel prices.
Inside MCM's range, the 37X sits below the heavier ACE Phantom TLB (96 hp, full-size class, deeper digging). Compared to imported full-size TLBs in the JCB 3CX or Caterpillar 428 class, the 37X gives up roughly half the engine power and 1 metre of digging depth — but it costs under a third of the price, transports on a smaller trailer, and fits sites where a 9-tonne machine cannot. For full-size commercial earthworks the Phantom is the right buy; for everything below that the 37X usually wins on cost-per-hour.
The 37X's compact dimensions and operating weight mean it moves between sites with no abnormal load permits, no police escort, no weighbridge stops. That keeps your day-to-day mobility costs low and lets you respond to call-out work without booking a low-bed transport contractor in advance. MCM Group delivers nationwide from our four branches in Cape Town, George, Gauteng, and Bloemfontein.
The 37X is available through MCM Group's approved finance partners on instalment sale, financial lease, or operating lease structures. With a starting price of R525 000 excl. VAT, monthly instalments typically work out cheaper than the rental cost of an equivalent full-size TLB — and you own the asset at the end. Section 12B and standard SARS wear-and-tear allowances apply: see our guide on which finance structure saves the most tax. The 37X comes with a manufacturer warranty backed by MCM's local parts inventory and after-sales technicians at every branch.
A 37X owner in Paarl putting his machine to work on a major housing development told us the compact size let him keep working between scaffolding without re-positioning every fifteen minutes — something a 96 hp machine couldn't do on the same site. Another owner-operator in the Western Cape pointed out that the 37X earned its keep on his small-contractor jobs because he could trailer it to a site himself, finish the job, and trailer it home — without a low-bed booking adding R3 000 to the project cost. The pattern across our customer base is consistent: the 37X is the machine you buy when you're tired of paying full-size logistics on small-size jobs.
Get a personalised quote, finance options, and full after-sales support from MCM Group's nationwide branch network.
The optional closed cabin on the MCM 37X TLB is a game-changer for operators who work long hours in tough conditions. Designed to keep you cool, comfortable, and fully focused, the air-conditioned cabin protects you from heat, dust, wind, and rain, allowing you to work efficiently no matter the environment. Reduced operator fatigue means better concentration, safer operation, and higher productivity throughout the day.
The MCM 37X’s 4×4 all-terrain 2-speed transmission is built to give you total control, no matter the job. With LOW range delivering maximum torque for digging, pushing, and working on loose terrain, and HIGH range allowing smooth, efficient travel between tasks, the 37X adapts to your workflow. Power is delivered evenly to all four wheels, improving traction, stability, and confidence on sand, gravel, mud, or uneven job sites.
Over the last 9 years, the MCM 37X is powered by a proven 36.8kW / 49.3hp Xinchai diesel engine built to deliver relentless performance where it matters most. Renowned for its durability, fuel efficiency, and low running costs, this robust engine provides strong torque across the rev range, giving operators smooth, confident control whether digging, loading, or trenching.
Engineered to make transport easier than full-size TLB's, saving you time and money on every job. Its compact footprint and balanced weight of 5,000kg allow it to be easily loaded onto a smaller truck. Whether you’re moving between farms, small construction sites, or residential projects, the 37X gets there faster.
Based on 8 reviews
MCM 37X TLBVery happy with our 37X. Good power. Low cost of ownership.
MCM 37X TLBGoeie môre Louis Weereens baie dankie vir my MCM 37X TLB. Hy het deur die reën en storms by my aangekom. Ek wil graag vir jou baie dankie sê vir goeie diens, jou tyd en moeite. Dit word opreg waardeer. Dankie vir jou geduld vir al my navrae en dat jy uit jou pad uit gaan om my elke masjien opsie te verduidelik asook die attachments. Dankie ook vir jou spoedige hulp met die finansiering. Dis altyd lekker as dit vinnig gaan. Ek sal beslis weer binnekort gesels oor n volgende masjien. Mooi dag vir jou
MCM 37X TLBThis is how it gets done, when you have the right TLB. Straighter than this is not possible. My operator doing such a neat job preparing trenching for the big rains currently underway.
MCM 37X TLBWe did 96km of trenching for new fibre installation in Marloth Park, near Kruger National Park. Since the beginning, the biggest surprise for us was the low cost of ownership. Low on fuel consumption for its weight. Easy and cost-effective to maintain. And the MCM team are always there to help.
MCM 37X TLBPurchased my 37X in 2021. It's a good compact TLB. Has its limits, but then again so do all machines. If you take care of it, it will take care of you. Low cost-to-ownership. We're contractors in Mpumalanga province and the 37X is a valuable machine in our fleet. Have been getting great service from the MCM team over the years. Always go above and beyond.
MCM 37X TLBI bought my 37X in 2022 at the Swartland Expo in Moorreesburg. I own farms in the Boland, Western Cape. A large TLB was overkill for my requirements, and the 37X fitted perfectly into my budget and requirements. I have used my 37X to significantly transform my farm. In 1 year we did around 800 hours. Today I am very proud to say I have an MCM TLB. People shouldn't underestimate the capabilities of the 37X and its size. It is a bull of a machine. I think this machine will fill a large gap in the agriculture and construction industries of SA.
MCM 37X TLBDigging performance is good. Light on fuel and compact. Works well on our sites. Good machine, thanks for your service.
MCM 37X TLBLow cost to ownership tlb
The MCM 37X TLB starts from R 525 000 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 MCM 37X TLB has an operating weight of 5000 kg and an engine power of 36.8 kW (49.3 hp).
The MCM 37X TLB digs to a maximum depth of 3.33 m.
The MCM 37X TLB has a 0.8 m³ front loader bucket, a 0.2 m³ backhoe bucket and a rated load of 1600 kg.
The MCM 37X TLB is best for residential building, trenching and farm work. Our TLB comparison puts all 12 TLBs side by side.
On their spec sheets (the MCM 37X TLB first): operating weight 5000 kg against 3800 kg; maximum digging depth 3.33 m against 2.64 m; loader bucket capacity 0.8 m³ against 0.6 m³; backhoe bucket capacity 0.2 m³ against 0.1 m³; rated load 1600 kg against 1100–1200 kg. The other figures are the same. Prices excl. VAT: MCM 37X TLB R 525 000 – R 550 000; MCM 33X TLB from R 450 000. See the MCM 33X TLB.
On their spec sheets (the MCM 37X TLB first): maximum digging depth 3.33 m against 3.4 m. The other figures are the same. Prices excl. VAT: MCM 37X TLB R 525 000 – R 550 000; MCM 37X-S TLB R 475 000. See the MCM 37X-S 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 MCM 37X 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 MCM 37X 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 MCM 37X 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 525 000 excl. VAT. Phone +27 81 885 0535 or email sales@mcmco.co.za.
18 February 2025
The MCM 37X TLB has been delivered for a major housing project in Paarl. At MCM, we take great pride in delivering high-quality, reliable and affordable construction…
17 March 2026
The difference between a compact TLB and a full-size backhoe is that a compact TLB is designed for tight access and low running cost, while a full-size backhoe provides…
16 March 2026
TLB fuel consumption is the rate at which a backhoe loader burns diesel, and it is the figure that determines a large part of the machine running cost over a working…
