Backhoes
Technically speaking, a backhoe is any type of excavating machinery at the end of a long arm. Backhoe, however, is often the name given to a particular type of excavator: that mounted on a tractor base. Backhoes are therefore one of the most commonly seen pieces of construction equipment. The standard design of the backhoe is a tractor on which is mounted a large shovel at the front, and a smaller shovel at the rear. These are often seen on smaller scale construction sites, and are ideally suited for tasks such as paving roads, digging holes, light transportation and demolition. Urban environments do not pose many problems for the backhoe in terms of manoeuvrability, as its small size allows it to move round most objects with relative ease. The small shovel at the rear of the vehicle is frequently used for precision tasks such as digging trenches for water pipes.
Backhoe Attachments
The bucket on the backhoe loader can also be replaced with different specialised attachments, greatly enhancing the backhoe's versatility. One such example of a different backhoe attachment is the breaker, which is used for breaking up concrete and rock. Also available is the retractable bottom bucket, which allows the operator of the backhoe to empty its load much more quickly and easily.
Backhoe Safety
Certain safety considerations much be taken into account when using this particular kind of machine. Due to the top-heavy nature of the design, the vehicle is prone to tipping and as such must often deploy hydraulic outriggers to keep it steady when digging. Retracting the outriggers can slow down the vehicle in changing positions, which reduces its efficiency.
Mini Backhoes
There are other types of backhoe in existence. The backhoe excavator is a type of excavator, and is often used when the time taken to remove the outriggers on a standard backhoe becomes too much of a burden. These, like other construction machinery, come in a variety of different configurations to be chosen for specific tasks. Mini backhoes (also known as compact backhoes or mini backhoe excavators) are the smallest variant, and are perfect for digging holes and trenches in very little time. They are very light, weighing between one and eight tonnes, and are extremely easy to operate.
Large Backhoe Excavators
For larger tasks, there are full sized backhoe excavators which weigh between 9 and 45 tonnes. These machines are capable of moving a much larger amount of dirt than the compact backhoes, but do lose manoeuvrability and ease of use as a result.
New and Used Backhoes
When looking to buy a new or used backhoe loader, there are a large number of brands to choose from. Caterpillar is arguably the market leader: amongst other features, they now offer joystick controls in the cabs of some models. Bobcat is another popular make, offering models with all wheel steering and four wheel drive. Ingersoll-Rand manufacture backhoes that allow for a great deal of customisation with regard to attachments, such as compactors and augers. A further example is Terex, who offer backhoes for sale with high travel speeds of up to 25.8mph.