A backhoe loader combines two popular functionalities of heavy equipment — digging and moving. On one side is a loader bucket for pushing, lifting and carrying materials, and on the other side is a backhoe for easy digging. Between the two are stabilizer legs that reach onto the ground and provide support for the machine during wobbly digging tasks. Usually, this equipment features a swiveling seat that faces the loader but can spin around to control the backhoe.
Backhoe loaders are all about working smarter, not harder. One of the most valuable aspects of a backhoe loader is its ability to bring together so many different functions into one piece of machinery. You can perform many different tasks, but you can also perform two at the same time. With the arms on either end, you can dig on one side, turn around, and lift with the other. Adding attachments provides extensive options.
These multitasking pieces of machinery help you avoid purchasing additional equipment while streamlining your fleet management needs. Advantages include minimizing storage space, reducing maintenance requirements and limiting fuel usage. It’s especially helpful on job sites that don’t have much room for equipment, such as close-quarters landscaping and remodeling work, since you can minimize the number of machines on-site.
We know it can do a lot, but what does a backhoe do? Possible tasks include digging a trench with a backhoe, moving rubble off a work site or leveling a surface, all with one tool. Backhoe loaders feature a particularly stable design to prevent tipping with the balanced arms and stabilizers on each side. The safe, enclosed cab can keep drivers protected from rocks, dirt and other hazards on the job site. Backhoe loaders also work well on a variety of terrain types, from rocky soil to hard-packed ground on flat or inclined surfaces.
These machines are sometimes compared to excavators, as they feature similar digging capabilities. However, excavators are typically only available in large, tracked varieties, while backhoe loaders can be found in small and full-sized wheeled versions. These options make them suitable for many different applications and projects.
