JCB 385LC vs Liebherr R 938 Litronic: the two differ on 71 of 95 listed specs. The main differences are Engine (JCB 284 HP vs Liebherr 299 HP), Price (₹1.20 - 1.22 crore vs Price Available Soon), Operating Weight (37331 Kg vs 36800 Kg), Bucket Capacity (1.4 - 2.3 m³ vs 1.00 - 3.00 m³). The other 24 specs are the same.
Specs from OEM brochures · comparison updated Aug 2026
* Ex-factory price ranges are indicative for Oct 2026 and change with variant, city and offers; confirm with the dealer. On-road cost adds transport, RTO, insurance and accessories. Disclaimer
The comparisons provided are based on the technical specifications published by the respective OEMs on their official websites and brochures. Please confirm these details directly with the OEMs before making any final decision.
Key Highlights
JCB 385LC
Liebherr R 938 Litronic
JCB 385LC
VS
Liebherr R 938 Litronic
Excavator
JCB 385LC vs Liebherr R 938 Litronic: the two differ on 71 of 95 listed specs. The main differences are Engine (JCB 284 HP vs Liebherr 299 HP), Price (₹1.20 - 1.22 crore vs Price Available Soon), Operating Weight (37331 Kg vs 36800 Kg), Bucket Capacity (1.4 - 2.3 m³ vs 1.00 - 3.00 m³). The other 24 specs are the same.
Specs from OEM brochures · comparison updated Aug 2026
JCB 385LC
₹1.20 - 1.22 crore
Liebherr R 938 Litronic
Price Available Soon
Particulars
JCB 385LC
Liebherr R 938 Litronic
JCB 385LC vs Liebherr R 938 Litronic: Which One Should You Buy?
Both the JCB 385LC and the Liebherr R 938 Litronic are heavy excavators built for big digging and loading jobs, but they differ in engine power, bucket range and how easy they are to service. The JCB 385LC runs a 284 HP engine with a wide 430 L hydraulic system and standard AC cabin and GPS, and it comes from a brand with one of the largest dealer networks in India. The Liebherr R 938 Litronic steps up to 299 HP, a bigger bucket range up to 3.00 m³, and a stronger grip on hard ground.
If you run big earthmoving or mining work and want the strongest engine and bucket size, the Liebherr R 938 Litronic is built for that scale. If you want a heavy digger backed by wide local service and strong hydraulics for everyday site work, the JCB 385LC fits better. Browse the full JCB excavator range, the Liebherr excavator range, all excavators, or our excavator buying guide.
JCB 385LC Excavator
Pros:
Engine provides 284 HP with a peak torque of 1150 N.m
Includes standard AC Cabin and GPS features
High bucket capacity range of 1.4 - 2.3 m³
Undercarriage is robust with a 4960 mm length
Hydraulic system capacity is extensive at 430 L
Cons:
Mileage information is not provided
Lower maximum tracking force of 287 kN compared to Liebherr R 938 Litronic
The warranty period is shorter in hours compared to Liebherr R 938 Litronic
Liebherr R 938 Litronic Excavator
Pros:
Higher engine power at 299 HP and maximum torque at 1421 Nm
Greater bucket capacity range of 1.00 - 3.00 m³
Includes advanced hydraulic pump technology
Higher maximum tracking force of 325 kN
Longer warranty period covering 2500 hr
Cons:
Operating weight range is higher, which may affect transport and maneuverability
The information on maximum digging reach is missing
Fuel efficiency listed as 21.26 L/hour which could be a con if it's lower than JCB 385LC
Pros:
Cons:
Closing Recommendation
The right choice between the JCB 385LC and Liebherr R 938 Litronic depends on what your project needs most. If your work involves heavy digging and lifting where more engine power and a bigger bucket help you finish faster, the Liebherr R 938 Litronic is the stronger pick. If you value strong engine torque, a large hydraulic system and easy access to service and parts across India, the JCB 385LC suits you better. So match the machine to your work: JCB 385LC for everyday heavy-duty jobs with easy local support, Liebherr R 938 Litronic for large-scale digging and lifting that needs maximum power.
JCB 385LC Vs Liebherr R 938 Litronic Excavator Price, Technical Specifications & Features
The JCB JS385LC is a 37-ton heavy duty tracked excavator powered by a JCB DIESELMAX 284 HP 7.2L CRDI engine. This machine from JCB Construction Equipment is built for large-scale mining and high-volume overburden removal across India. Its maximum digging depth of 6,390 mm allows for deep and productive excavation on challenging sites. The bucket capacity ranging from 1.4 to 2.3 m³ enables the movement of large material volumes in each working hour. The Power Boost feature increases hydraulic pressure by up to 9% for added force when necessary. The CRDI common rail fuel injection system provides efficient combustion and strong low-RPM torque during long shifts. The eco-hydraulic technology and auto idler further reduce fuel consumption during lighter work phases. A fully air-conditioned cabin with 6 viscous mounts and a low-effort joystick keeps operators productive and safe. JCB LiveLink 4.0 provides real-time fuel alerts, maintenance reminders, and location tracking for complete fleet management. The JCB 385LC excavator offers a strong cost-per-tonne advantage for large mining and quarry operations. The JCB 385LC excavator price in India ranges from Rs. 1.20 to 1.22 crore. This JCB excavator is built for serious mining contractors and large quarry operators needing maximum daily output and proven machine durability.
Bucket flexibility is the Liebherr R 938 Litronic’s calling card: this large excavator weighs 36800-39550 kg and swings buckets from 1.00 to 3.00 m³, so one machine can switch between trench work and bulk loading. The four-cylinder Liebherr D944 is rated 299 HP; digging depth is 7600 mm and bucket digging force 238 kN.
That range suits infrastructure majors and large developers who keep a machine busy across mixed scopes. It travels at up to 5.4 Km/h, dumps at 6930 mm, and comes with the AC cabin, GPS and 1-year/2000-hour warranty Liebherr fits as standard.
Agency review
Planning to buy the JCB 385LC Excavator in India? Get the best price, EMI & finance options, and delivery timelines by submitting a quick enquiry.
Planning to buy the Liebherr R 938 Litronic Excavator in India? Get the best price, EMI & finance options, and delivery timelines by submitting a quick enquiry.
JCB 385LC vs Liebherr R 938 Litronic: Which One Should You Buy?
Both the JCB 385LC and the Liebherr R 938 Litronic are heavy excavators built for big digging and loading jobs, but they differ in engine power, bucket range and how easy they are to service. The JCB 385LC runs a 284 HP engine with a wide 430 L hydraulic system and standard AC cabin and GPS, and it comes from a brand with one of the largest dealer networks in India. The Liebherr R 938 Litronic steps up to 299 HP, a bigger bucket range up to 3.00 m³, and a stronger grip on hard ground.
If you run big earthmoving or mining work and want the strongest engine and bucket size, the Liebherr R 938 Litronic is built for that scale. If you want a heavy digger backed by wide local service and strong hydraulics for everyday site work, the JCB 385LC fits better. Browse the full JCB excavator range, the Liebherr excavator range, all excavators, or our excavator buying guide.
JCB 385LC Excavator
Pros:
Engine provides 284 HP with a peak torque of 1150 N.m
Includes standard AC Cabin and GPS features
High bucket capacity range of 1.4 - 2.3 m³
Undercarriage is robust with a 4960 mm length
Hydraulic system capacity is extensive at 430 L
Cons:
Mileage information is not provided
Lower maximum tracking force of 287 kN compared to Liebherr R 938 Litronic
The warranty period is shorter in hours compared to Liebherr R 938 Litronic
Liebherr R 938 Litronic Excavator
Pros:
Higher engine power at 299 HP and maximum torque at 1421 Nm
Greater bucket capacity range of 1.00 - 3.00 m³
Includes advanced hydraulic pump technology
Higher maximum tracking force of 325 kN
Longer warranty period covering 2500 hr
Cons:
Operating weight range is higher, which may affect transport and maneuverability
The information on maximum digging reach is missing
Fuel efficiency listed as 21.26 L/hour which could be a con if it's lower than JCB 385LC
Pros:
Cons:
Closing Recommendation
The right choice between the JCB 385LC and Liebherr R 938 Litronic depends on what your project needs most. If your work involves heavy digging and lifting where more engine power and a bigger bucket help you finish faster, the Liebherr R 938 Litronic is the stronger pick. If you value strong engine torque, a large hydraulic system and easy access to service and parts across India, the JCB 385LC suits you better. So match the machine to your work: JCB 385LC for everyday heavy-duty jobs with easy local support, Liebherr R 938 Litronic for large-scale digging and lifting that needs maximum power.
JCB 385LC Vs Liebherr R 938 Litronic Excavator Price, Technical Specifications & Features
The JCB JS385LC is a 37-ton heavy duty tracked excavator powered by a JCB DIESELMAX 284 HP 7.2L CRDI engine. This machine from JCB Construction Equipment is built for large-scale mining and high-volume overburden removal across India. Its maximum digging depth of 6,390 mm allows for deep and productive excavation on challenging sites. The bucket capacity ranging from 1.4 to 2.3 m³ enables the movement of large material volumes in each working hour. The Power Boost feature increases hydraulic pressure by up to 9% for added force when necessary. The CRDI common rail fuel injection system provides efficient combustion and strong low-RPM torque during long shifts. The eco-hydraulic technology and auto idler further reduce fuel consumption during lighter work phases. A fully air-conditioned cabin with 6 viscous mounts and a low-effort joystick keeps operators productive and safe. JCB LiveLink 4.0 provides real-time fuel alerts, maintenance reminders, and location tracking for complete fleet management. The JCB 385LC excavator offers a strong cost-per-tonne advantage for large mining and quarry operations. The JCB 385LC excavator price in India ranges from Rs. 1.20 to 1.22 crore. This JCB excavator is built for serious mining contractors and large quarry operators needing maximum daily output and proven machine durability.
Bucket flexibility is the Liebherr R 938 Litronic’s calling card: this large excavator weighs 36800-39550 kg and swings buckets from 1.00 to 3.00 m³, so one machine can switch between trench work and bulk loading. The four-cylinder Liebherr D944 is rated 299 HP; digging depth is 7600 mm and bucket digging force 238 kN.
That range suits infrastructure majors and large developers who keep a machine busy across mixed scopes. It travels at up to 5.4 Km/h, dumps at 6930 mm, and comes with the AC cabin, GPS and 1-year/2000-hour warranty Liebherr fits as standard.
71 differ · 24 identical
Key highlights: JCB 385LC vs Liebherr R 938 Litronic Excavator
JCB 385LC
Liebherr R 938 Litronic
Engine Make
JCB DIESELMAX 672 TCAE Electronic Engine.
Liebherr D944 A7-23
Fuel Tank
590L
729 L
Engine Displacment
7.2 L
8.0 L
Under Carriage
4960 mm
4840 mm
Hydraulic System
430 L
475 L
Arm
2210 mm
3250 mm
Max Digging Reach
10180 mm
NA
Fuel Consumption
NA
21.26 L/hour
Overall Width
2990 mm
3190 mm
Overall Length
11410 mm
11200 mm
Bucket Digging Force
262.7 kN
238 kN
Tailswing Radius
3570 mm
3450 mm
Track Shoe Width
600 mm
600 mm
AC Cabin
Standard
Standard
GPS
Standard
Standard
Key highlights: JCB 385LC vs Liebherr R 938 Litronic Excavator
JCB 385LC
Liebherr R 938 Litronic
Engine Make
JCB DIESELMAX 672 TCAE Electronic Engine.
Liebherr D944 A7-23
Fuel Tank
590L
729 L
Engine Displacment
7.2 L
8.0 L
Under Carriage
4960 mm
4840 mm
Hydraulic System
430 L
475 L
Arm
2210 mm
3250 mm
Max Digging Reach
10180 mm
NA
Fuel Consumption
NA
21.26 L/hour
Overall Width
2990 mm
3190 mm
Overall Length
11410 mm
11200 mm
Bucket Digging Force
262.7 kN
238 kN
Tailswing Radius
3570 mm
3450 mm
Track Shoe Width
600 mm
600 mm
AC Cabin
Standard
Standard
GPS
Standard
Standard
Full specifications: JCB 385LC vs Liebherr R 938 Litronic Excavator
Engine
3554
3706
Model
JCB 284 HP
Liebherr 299 HP
Fuel
Diesel
Diesel
Type
4-stroke ,
6-Cylinder ,
ECU ,
High pressure common rail ,
intercooled. ,
turbocharged
4 Cylinder in-line ,
4-stroke diesel Common-Rail Turbo-charged and after-cooler ,
after-cooled and fuel cooled ,
Engine equivalent to EU Stage IIIA / EPA Tier 3: with EGR ,
Water-cooled and oil cooler
Rated Engine Power
284 HP (212 kW) @ 2000 rpm
299 HP (220 kW) @ 1800 rpm
Maximum Torque
1150 N.m @ 1400 rpm
1421 Nm @ 1350 rpm
Piston Displacement
7.2 L
8.0 L
Alternator
24V / 55A
Three-phase current 28 V / 140 A
Battery
2 x 12V
12 V
,
2 x 135 Ah
Starting Motor
24V
24 V
Undercarriage
24 V
24 V
No of Top rollers
2
2
No of bottom rollers
9
9
Track Shoes (Each Side)
48
NA
Track Guard
3
NA
Track Shoe width
600 mm
600 mm
Ground bearing pressure
70.6 kPa
70.6 kPa
Track Tensioning
Grease
Grease
Gradeability
70% (35 °) continuous.
NA
Travel Speed-Low
2.2 Km/h
3.3 Km/h
Travel Speed-High
5.3 km/h
5.4 Km/h
Max Tracking Force
287 kN
325 kN
Hydraulic System
JCB 385LC
Liebherr R 938 Litronic
Hydraulic pump
2 variable displacement axial piston type.
Liebherr swashplate double pump and variable displacement
Maximum Flow
2 x 304 L/min
2 x 315 L/min
Pilot Pump
Gear Pump
NA
Implement Circuit
34.3 MPa
38.0 MPa
Swing Circuit
28.4 MPa
NA
Travel circuit
34.3 MPa
NA
Pilot circuit
4.5 MPa
NA
Hydraulic Motors
JCB 385LC
Liebherr R 938 Litronic
Travel
Variable swash axial piston type; fully guarded within undercarriage
Liebherr swashplate motor with brake valves on both sides
Swing
Axial piston type
Liebherr swashplate motor with integrated brake valve and torque control
Service Capacities
JCB 385LC
Liebherr R 938 Litronic
Fuel tank
590L
729 L
Engine Coolant
45 L
NA
Engine oil
25 L
NA
Hydraulic system
430 L
475 L
Hydraulic tank
239 L
239 L
Machine Weight
JCB 385LC
Liebherr R 938 Litronic
Operating Weight
37331 Kg
36800 Kg
Working Range
JCB 385LC
Liebherr R 938 Litronic
Boom length
6450 mm
6450 mm
Arm length
2210 mm
3250 mm
Max Digging Reach
10180 mm
NA
Max Digging Reach on ground
9970 mm
11170 mm
Max digging depth
6390 mm
7600 mm
Max digging height
9720 mm
10530 mm
Max Dump Height
6660 mm
6930 mm
Max vertical wallcut depth
5410 mm
NA
Min swing radius
4400 mm
NA
Max Height at Min Swing radius
NA
NA
Max height (above ground)
NA
NA
Dig depth (below ground)
NA
NA
Bucket Digging Force
262.7 kN
238 kN
Arm Digging Force
254.9 kN
183 kN
Swing Speed
8.9 rpm
8.6 rpm
Dozer Blade
JCB 385LC
Liebherr R 938 Litronic
Dozer Type
NA
NA
Dozer Length
NA
NA
Digging depth for ground level
NA
NA
Approach Angle
NA
NA
Width
NA
NA
Height
NA
NA
Bucket
JCB 385LC
Liebherr R 938 Litronic
Bucket Capacity
1.4 - 2.3 m³
1.00 - 3.00 m³
Static Dimensions
JCB 385LC
Liebherr R 938 Litronic
Overall Length
11410 mm
11200 mm
Overall width
2990 mm
3190 mm
Overall Height
3790 mm
3800 mm
Overall Height of Cab
3240 mm
3150 mm
Upper Width
NA
2990 mm
Track Lengh on Ground
4020 mm
3990 mm
Undercarriage overall length
4960 mm
4840 mm
Tailswing radius
3570 mm
3450 mm
Min Ground clearance
507 mm
495 mm
Track gauge
2600 mm
2590 mm
Width over tracks
3200 mm
3190 mm
Track Height
1000 mm
1055 mm
Counterweight Clearance
1160 mm
1175 mm
Track Shoe Width
600 mm
600 mm
Full specifications: JCB 385LC vs Liebherr R 938 Litronic Excavator
Engine
JCB 385LC
Liebherr R 938 Litronic
Model
JCB 284 HP
Liebherr 299 HP
Fuel
Diesel
Diesel
Type
4-stroke ,
6-Cylinder ,
ECU ,
High pressure common rail ,
intercooled. ,
turbocharged
4 Cylinder in-line ,
4-stroke diesel Common-Rail Turbo-charged and after-cooler ,
after-cooled and fuel cooled ,
Engine equivalent to EU Stage IIIA / EPA Tier 3: with EGR ,
Water-cooled and oil cooler
Rated Engine Power
284 HP (212 kW) @ 2000 rpm
299 HP (220 kW) @ 1800 rpm
Maximum Torque
1150 N.m @ 1400 rpm
1421 Nm @ 1350 rpm
Piston Displacement
7.2 L
8.0 L
Alternator
24V / 55A
Three-phase current 28 V / 140 A
Battery
2 x 12V
12 V
,
2 x 135 Ah
Starting Motor
24V
24 V
Undercarriage
JCB 385LC
Liebherr R 938 Litronic
No of Top rollers
2
2
No of bottom rollers
9
9
Track Shoes (Each Side)
48
NA
Track Guard
3
NA
Track Shoe width
600 mm
600 mm
Ground bearing pressure
70.6 kPa
70.6 kPa
Track Tensioning
Grease
Grease
Gradeability
70% (35 °) continuous.
NA
Travel Speed-Low
2.2 Km/h
3.3 Km/h
Travel Speed-High
5.3 km/h
5.4 Km/h
Max Tracking Force
287 kN
325 kN
Hydraulic Motors
JCB 385LC
Liebherr R 938 Litronic
Hydraulic pump
2 variable displacement axial piston type.
Liebherr swashplate double pump and variable displacement
Questions buyers ask about the JCB 385LC vs Liebherr R 938 Litronic
Ans.
The Liebherr R 938 Litronic has the more powerful engine. It gives 299 HP and 1421 Nm of peak torque against the JCB 385LC's 284 HP and 1150 Nm, so it can push through tougher digging with less strain.
Ans.
The Liebherr R 938 Litronic can move more material in one scoop. Its bucket capacity goes up to 3.00 m³ against the JCB 385LC's 2.3 m³, which helps on large loading jobs.
Ans.
The Liebherr R 938 Litronic grips harder ground better. Its maximum tracking force is 325 kN against the JCB 385LC's 287 kN, so it holds its footing better on tough or sloped ground.
Ans.
The JCB 385LC is usually easier to get serviced. JCB runs one of the largest dealer and service networks across India, so parts and repairs are often quicker to find nearby than for a premium import brand like Liebherr.
Ans.
The Liebherr R 938 Litronic has a clearly stated warranty of 2500 hours. The JCB 385LC's warranty is shorter; check with your JCB dealer for the exact hours before you buy.
Ans.
Yes, both are heavy excavators built for large earthmoving, quarry and infrastructure work, not small residential digging. The real difference between them is engine power, bucket size and service support, not the scale of project they can handle.
JCB 385LC Vs Liebherr R 938 Litronic - Compare Price & Availability Across 600+ Locations in India
Compare JCB 385LC Vs Liebherr R 938 Litronic price and availability across all major cities in India including Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Indore, Jaipur, Guwahati, and 600+ more locations.
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