Backhoe Loader

The backhoe loader (also called loader backhoe) is used in excavation and civil engineering. It is a tractor, with a front shovel and bucket, as well as a backhoe on the rear. Cause of their smaller size, and maneuverability, the backhoe loader is great for small construction projects and excavation work.

It originated in Burlington Iowa in 1857, and is the most found variation of the farm tractor. The name says it all with the loader assembly in the front, and a backhoe attachment behind. Another reason it's so popular is it can be used for digging nearly anything and then carry it off as well.

Whenever a tractor has a loader and backhoe attached, they aren't considered a tractor anymore, since at this point they aren't used for towing and the PTO shaft is either covered, or in some cases non-existent on these combinations. If the backhoe is permanently connected, the seat can turn around to face the back and access the backhoe controls. The removable models usually have a seat of their own.

The uses of backhoe loaders are endless. Some include moving of light materials, driving building equipment, general construction, hole digging, breaking pavement, excavating, and even surfacing roads.

Other attachments can substitute the bucket on the backhoe. Some of these tools include breakers (for breaking or smashing rock, concrete, and other hard substances), special buckets (ones for example that have a dump hatch), and more. These often improve on the backhoes basic useful functions.

Retractable bottom loader buckets can be useful for grading and wearing off sand. The front loader on a backhoe may be a permanent attachment, or removable. It's common to replace it with other tools. To do this, a tool coupler is needed. The coupler has 2 hydraulic cylinders on the end of the arms that can expand/contract to enable these tools to be attached.

Backhoe loaders are made by a number of companies, including Case, New Holland, and John Deere. With OSHA these days, most will offer cabs, though some may not. When with cab, other options are guaranteed to be air conditioning, and a radio. There are a number of similar accessories that will bring you closer to what you have in your car as well.

You will find backhoe loaders on many excavation sites where they provide multiple services. They can be used to dig and move things around with ease. And they really excel when filling in holes or burying pipelines quickly. At that the backhoe is ideal for digging the trench for the pipeline in the first place.

One of the best things about the backhoe loader is that they aren't as expensive as more specialized equipment. Another is that most people can be trained to operate them.

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