ACE Phantom TLB

The ACE Phantom TLB is a versatile backhoe loader designed for construction, agriculture, and earthmoving work across South Africa. This TLB combines front-loading and rear-digging capabilities into one reliable machine. As a result, it handles demanding jobs on farms, construction sites, and municipal projects cost-effectively.

Overview

ACE Phantom TLB – Key Features

This backhoe loader features a proven diesel engine, responsive hydraulics, and a durable steel chassis designed to withstand years of daily use. The front bucket handles loading, grading, and material transport. Meanwhile, the rear backhoe delivers powerful digging for trenches, foundations, and drainage work. Operators also benefit from a comfortable cabin with clear sightlines — resulting in safer, more productive shifts.

Applications in South Africa

Construction contractors use this TLB for foundation excavation, trenching, and site preparation. Similarly, farmers rely on it for dam construction, irrigation channel digging, and general farm maintenance. In addition, municipal teams use these machines for road repairs, drainage work, and utility installations across South Africa. Learn more about backhoe loaders and their role in South African industry.

Related Equipment

MCM Group offers a range of related machines. Explore the MCM 18X TLB, MCM 76X TLB and MCM 13X TLB for alternative options. Browse our full Backhoe Loaders (TLB) range to find the right machine for your project.

Delivery and Support

MCM Group delivers nationwide — to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria, and surrounding areas. As a result, your machine arrives safely and on time regardless of location. In addition, we offer on-site commissioning and operator training so you can start working from day one.

Finance Options

Because buying outright is not always practical, MCM Group offers flexible finance through approved partners. Options include hire purchase, instalment sale, and rental agreements. As a result, you can match payments to your cash flow. Contact our sales team for a personalised quote.

Get a Quote

The ACE Phantom TLB is available from MCM Group South Africa with competitive pricing, warranty, and full after-sales support. Contact us today for a quote or to book a demonstration.

ACE Phantom TLB Buyer Guide

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.

Who is this machine for?

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.

What can it do on a typical day?

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.

How does it compare?

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. Italian Carraro axles 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.

Transport & logistics in South Africa

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 9-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.

Finance & warranty

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.

What our customers say

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.

Ready to take the next step?

Contact your nearest branch for a quote, demo, or finance pre-approval →