JCB Q-Fit VS JCB Compact Telehandlers Guide
When choosing a bucket or attachment for your JCB telehandler, one of the most important things to get right is your carriage type. JCB telehandlers typically come with either a JCB Q-fit or a JCB Compact carriage, and each one has its own unique pickup design. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the differences between JCB Q-fit and Compact carriages, and show you how to identify which one your machine has - whether through visual inspection, measurements or by checking existing attachments.
How to Identify Your JCB Telehandler Hanger Set-up
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When it comes to choosing the right telehandler bucket for your JCB telehandler, one of the most important factors to consider is your telehandler carriage type. The two main types of JCB telehandler carriage are JCB Q-fit and JCB Compact. There are a few different ways you can identify your telehandler’s carriage and hanger configuration: Step 1: Check the Carriage BadgeThe first and easiest step in identifying your carriage is to look for a badge or identification plate. This is typically located on the top of the carriage itself. Sometimes, the ID plate doesn't specify the type, but there may be another indicator, such as a sticker on the side of the carriage. With use, this ID badge and sticker may come off or become unreadable, in which case you'll need to refer to step 2 or 3 for further identification. |
Step 2: Check your other Telehandler Buckets or Attachments
Another useful method is to check any telehandler buckets or attachments you already own and that you know fit your machine. Depending on the manufacturer, these JCB telehandler attachments may have a data plate or sticker indicating the type of pickup they're made for, or have a specific product code. You can use this code to contact the manufacturer, who can then confirm the exact fitment type of the attachment. For example, Rhinox JCB Q-fit telehandler buckets have data plate with code THB001, while Rhinox JCB Compact telehandler buckets have a code of THB004. These codes then make it easy to identify the JCB telehandler that your Rhinox telehandler bucket is compatible with.
Step 3: Measure the Hanger Width
If your telehandler carriage doesn't have a badge and you don't have any attachments that fit your JCB machine, the next best method is to measure the distance between the hanger mounting hooks on your carriage. These measurements are a reliable indicator of the compatible carriage system. The mounting hangers on a JCB Q-fit carriage are typically spaced around 98 cm apart, while those on a JCB Compact carriage are usually about 55 cm apart. So, if you measure the internal width between your hangers and it’s close to 98 cm, you likely have a JCB Q-fit carriage. Whereas, if the measurement is closer to 54 cm, then your JCB telehandler most likely has a JCB Compact carriage fitted.
JCB Q-Fit Carriage |
JCB Compact Carriage |
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JCB Q-fit carriages are a wide hanger system commonly found on larger JCB telehandlers. |
JCB Compact carriages are typically found on smaller or compact JCB telehandlers. |
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JCB Q-fit hook width: Approximately 98cm. |
JCB Compact hook width: Approximately 54cm. |
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Visual tip: JCB Q-fit hangers are noticeably wider and usually mounted to the top of the carriage. |
Visual tip: JCB Compact hangers sit closer together and usually found in the centre of the carriage. |
Are Telehandler Carriages Universal? Could my JCB telehandler have a non-JCB carriage?
Telehandler carriages are not universal across brands, meaning you typically can’t fit, for example, a Manitou bucket onto a JCB Q-Fit carriage. While most manufacturers keep their carriage design consistent across their own range, JCB is an exception, offering two types: Q-fit and Compact. Although it is possible to modify or rework a carriage to fit a different brand of telehandler or fit an adaptor to convert one carriage type into being compatibl with another, this should only be done by experienced professionals, as improper alterations can compromise safety and functionality.
It’s worth noting that just because you own a JCB telehandler doesn’t necessarily mean it still has a JCB carriage fitted. If the machine was purchased second-hand or through an auction, a previous owner may have swapped the original carriage for one from another brand - such as fitting a Manitou carriage to a JCB machine. This is often done for convenience, especially if the previous owner had attachments from a different brand or preferred a specific pickup system. Swapping to a different carriage allows them to use existing attachments more easily. If you suspect your carriage isn’t a JCB type but aren’t sure what it is, you can send us a photo of your carriage or any current buckets or attachments you have. We’ll be happy to help you identify your carriage type and point you in the right direction of what pick up you need for your telehandler attachments.
Purchasing Rhinox Telehandler Buckets
At Rhinox, we manufacture high-quality telehandler buckets to suit all the most common telehandler brands, including Bobcat, CAT, JCB Q-fit, JCB Compact, Merlo and Manitou. Our range includes a variety of sizes to suit different applications, from the compact 60" Hotbox bucket, to the versatile 72" (0.75 cubic metre) and 90" (1 cubic metre) general-purpose buckets. You can browse and buy directly from our website - with large stocks held across our range, all in-stock items are available for same-day dispatch when ordered Monday to Friday. Prefer to speak to someone directly? Get in touch - our knowledgeable team is always on hand to take orders and answer any questions, queries or concerns you may have.
