The JCB GT – originally designed to perform high-speed wheelies at racing events – made the attempt in front of independent record officials near Sydney in Australia.
Guinness World Records confirmed that the powerful JCB digger was officially the fastest backhoe loader in the world with a speed of 72.58 mph.
Fab Carrettin, Managing Director of JCB Pacific, said: “The JCB GT has always been regarded as the fastest backhoe around and now it’s official.”
JCB Demonstration Driver Matthew Lucas – nicknamed ‘The Dig’ during the attempt – was the man who steered the JCB GT to its world record title.
Lucas, 43, of Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent, said: “It was great to be involved in such an exciting project and a real honour to be behind the wheel when we achieved the record.”
The JCB GT is made of fibreglass and aluminium and powered by a V8 Chevvy engine.
