AssetTrader Buying Guide to Backhoe Loaders

Introduction

Backhoe loaders are commonly used for landscaping and construction jobs because of its useful two in one utility that can dig holes and fill them in. One the front is the loader bucker, which can pick up loads and push dirt. The rear end is the backhoe a hydraulic powered scoop that can dig through hard earth.
Both the backhoe and the front loader can be switched to other attachments like crushers, retractable-bottom buckets, grinders and other tools designed to provide a variety of help with other jobs.
Backhoe loaders are a compact, but powerful machine that can double up on jobs making them very useful to have on any construction site or landscaping contracts.

AssetTrader has put together a guide to buying backhoe loaders which should answer questions about how to find the right backhoe loader for the job and what to expect in pricing.

Functionality and Use

Backhoe loaders fill a crucial need on sites where compact digging and loading are needed. They also can be driven on roads unlike excavators or skid steers making them a useful asset for contractors. Backhoe loaders are essentially mini excavators with the added loaded bucket on a compact machine.
When looking for the right backhoe, you want to measure the sort of digging power you need. It’s important to know what range of digging it will be used for, the high powered loaders can dig down 14 to 16 feet. Compact loaders can dig down 8 to 10 feet deep.
Most contractors use the full size machines with 14 feet being the average range. The other thing to consider is if you’re depths are usually only 10 feet, then the smaller, compact models are much cheaper and easier to transport.
For the other end the capacity to look for is the reach. What height can the loader handle safely, and what height will you be expecting it to lifting it to. The weight of the load is also important this usually correlates with the particular material you will be moving, whether it’s dirt, heavy earth or rocks. Keep in mind there can be two different weight capacities for the front and back of the loader.