The term “backhoe” refers to the action of the bucket and not where it’s located on the vehicles. Backhoes dig by moving the earth backward instead of lifting it with a forward motion (which is done with a steam shovel or bulldozer). Some of them also have buckets that can be reconfigured so it’s facing forward, which turns them into “hoes.” There are also tractor-loaded backhoes (TLB’s), which are tractor-like vehicles with a backhoe at the rear, a front loader on the other end, and a swiveling seat that positions the operator in whichever direction is needed.
Backhoes are often referred to as the “Swiss Army Knives” of heavy equipment, because they’re great for any kind of excavation or digging project. One end is used to dig up the dirt, while the other end is used to move them around. They’re great tools for any project, which is why they can be seen on any job site. They can also be fitted with hydraulic-powered attachments, which allows them to be used for other tasks besides lifting and digging. The most common attachments used on a backhoe excavator are breakers and hammers, which allow them to break up rocky soil, asphalt, and concrete.
Popular Backhoe Manufacturers
There are a number of companies that manufacture backhoe machinery, but some of the more popular ones include:
- Caterpillar — This company manufactures both backhoes and special attachments that can be used to reconfigure them. Some of them include soil excavation buckets, coral buckets, ditch cleaning buckets, and rock buckets. They also manufacture rakes, snow plows, angle blades, asphalt cutters, and material handlers that can replace the traditional backhoe loader.
- John Deere — This company produces several types of backhoes. Their largest one is the 710L, which has a 148 HP engine at 2,240 RPM and a maximum operating weight of 25,000 pounds. Their smallest backhoe is the 310L EP, which has a 69 HP engine at 2,010 RPM, a maximum operating weight of 13,822 pounds, a powershaft transmission, and a dipper stick with a dig depth of approximately 14 feet.
- CASE — This company started out by manufacturing equipment used in road construction, but it has since grown into one of the leading manufacturers of construction equipment in North America. Their first backhoe machine was manufactured in 1957, and their production in this space has grown tremendously since then.
If you’re looking for a company that can repair and service your fleet of backhoes, be sure to get in touch with Rhino Equipment Services.