Backhoes are a very useful and popular piece of equipment. They are good for all sorts of applications including agriculture, construction and landscaping. While they are an extremely versatile tool to have on the job site, it is also important to understand the functions of each size and their capabilities.
While backhoes are great for many tasks, some situations will warrant an excavator, heavier equipment, or a different size of backhoe. In this article, we break down the different sizes and uses of backhoes on the job site, so that you can get the most out of your next rental or investment. Let’s dig in.
Backhoe Applications
A backhoe is essentially a tractor with a loading bucket on the front, and a digging arm on the back, but it is so much more. Backhoes can be fitted with dozens of different, task-specific attachments which make them one of the most versatile pieces of machinery on the site.
Backhoes are useful in three major applications: construction, agriculture, and landscaping. Landscapers, for the most part, will favor the small or mini-backhoes. These are extremely useful for more delicate work such as excavating garden beds and can be moved around without tearing up the ground underneath.
Larger backhoes can be more useful in agriculture, where leaving tracks is of no concern. With lots of space to operate in the field and a larger load capacity, the larger backhoes make fantastic tools for digging irrigation ditches. As they are already laden down with digging arm and load-bucket, it is generally advisable to use a tractor for towing farming equipment such as cultivators and seed drills.
When it comes to construction applications, however, the larger backhoes aren’t typically the most useful. When it comes to building, the medium backhoes really shine.
In construction, medium backhoes are most ideal for job sites.
On a larger heavy industrial type job site, it will make more sense to have excavators and front-end loaders working in tandem. These big, bulky machines require massive jobsites and budgets to be accommodated. In most medium-sized applications, the consolidation of the two machines into one gives the backhoe a huge advantage.
Backhoes are also a huge asset to utility crews when working on smaller side streets or alleys. The ability to save on space on the job site by having a machine that can both dig and load is immense. Because the ability to do multiple jobs is what makes the backhoe such a great piece of construction equipment, it only makes sense to explore the world of attachments available for these machines.
Attachments and Tasks
Backhoes are able to get a huge variety of tasks done thanks to not only their loading bucket and digging arm but all of the attachments that can be fitted to either. Let’s have a look at a few of these and what they are for.
Pallet forks – These are great for stone pavers and landscapers. Forks allow crews to move entire pallets of materials rather than breaking them down and hand-bombing them.
Snowblades – In northern climates and higher altitudes snow can be an issue. Having a set of hydraulic-powered snowblades to clear a path can be the difference between working and not.
Bale spike – Perfect for farmers who need to unload or load up bales of hay efficiently, without damaging the product.
Log Grapple – These are great for taking down and clearing small trees and logs from the property or site.
Jackhammer attachment – These hydraulicly powered attachments allow you to blow through rock and concrete making them indispensable for road and utility work.
Side-tip bucket – These buckets allow, as the name implies, for a side dump rather than a front dump. These are very useful in tight situations like alleys or corridors.
Grinders – Grinders allow you to take stumps down to the grade level. If you need to get the roots as well you can get one with a double heel attachment.
Crushers – Used for crushing everything from rock to concrete. These are handy for quarries and mining work.
At MAK Industries we are proud to stock a wide variety of backhoes. Whatever the size of a job you are looking to tackle, do yourself a favor and give one of our dedicated and knowledgeable sales team members a call. Contact Us here today for all your
rental and
sales needs.
We can help you find the right piece of machinery for the job and avoid any pitfalls you may run into otherwise. Get the most out of your machines and call MAK. We make it happen.
