| The Backhoe is the most common piece of | | | | provide extra support to the unit. Once this is |
| machinery used in construction industry. Backhoe | | | | done, the operator will use one of the levers to |
| probably is the one which can be mostly seen on | | | | reach the desired digging point by extending the |
| any construction site - whether on roads or large | | | | arm. Another lever on the console is then used to |
| structures. A Backhoe is essentially a digging | | | | lower the bucket to make it touch the ground. |
| equipment always fitted with a vehicle. It is often | | | | Third lever in the system is used to start the |
| termed excavator or backhoe loader. | | | | digging operations - this lever forces down the |
| Backhoe functions much like human arm - it can | | | | bucket into the earth. The inward motion ensures |
| dig, lift the material and throw (dump). Backhoe | | | | the dug material fill up the bucket. Once the |
| has three parts - boom, stick, and bucket. Boom | | | | bucket is filled up, it is either dumped sidewise or |
| is attached to the vehicle (often called tractor), | | | | into the dump truck. |
| and joined with stick. Other end of the stick is | | | | Compact backhoes |
| joined to the bucket. Now the design is complete | | | | Another very popular variety of backhoes is |
| - bucket as hands, stick as your forearm and | | | | compact backhoes. These compact backhoes can |
| boom as upper arm. | | | | be kept in the same category as those like |
| Tractor is attached with the other two | | | | skid-steer loaders, compact wheel loaders and |
| components in the system - the backhoe and the | | | | trenchers. While each of these types has its own |
| loader. Backhoe does the digging, tractor makes | | | | sets of pro's and con's, it is important to keep in |
| the whole unit movable and the loader shifts the | | | | mind the main application where these will be put |
| dug material. These three make up the whole unit | | | | to use. Compact backhoes are known for very |
| needed on the construction sites. | | | | efficient digging, faster load and carry cycles and |
| Operating the backhoe | | | | light attachment use. If you are looking to have |
| Operator sitting inside the tractor finds facing the | | | | an application asking for digging upto six feet |
| control panel in his front on the dashboard. It has | | | | depth, compact backhoes are exceptionally good |
| three major consoles - one each for the tractor, | | | | for the purpose. Compact backhoes are very |
| backhoe and the loader. A skilled operator knows | | | | easy to use, and need far less time to be |
| that backhoe operations need more application | | | | detached from the tractor unit. Curved bottom |
| than the front loader. Operator has to | | | | boom structures are also characterized by some |
| simultaneously operate the vehicle (tractor) and | | | | compact backhoes available in the market. When |
| the backhoe. The operation starts with digging the | | | | the application involves heavy truck loading |
| hole and then dumping the dug material on the | | | | operations, compact backhoes have proved to be |
| side (or even loading a truck parked nearby). Two | | | | a great boon. |
| stabilizer legs support the unit - once the tractor | | | | Some of the major and reputed backhoe |
| is parked at the desired place, these two legs are | | | | manufacturers are JCB, Caterpillar, John Deere, |
| jutted out from beneath the unit. These two legs | | | | Case, KPX, Massey Ferguson, etc. |