One of the most important variables in backhoe performance is dig depth. Typically, dig depth is somewhere between 12 and 16 feet. Many backhoes have an extendible stick that lets them increase the dig depth a few feet when needed. Most backhoe jobs do not require operators to excavate more than 10-feet deep.

 

Another important rating is horsepower. A backhoe horsepower rating indicates how much power the engine provides for all of the systems in the backhoe, which gives an idea of the backhoe capability.

 

Backhoe models with greater dig depth usually have more horsepower. Increasing both of these factors expands the backhoe's abilities. Backhoes designed for residential construction applications, such as digging foundations, grading, and digging ditches for sewer and utility lines, generally have a 14 to 16-foot dig depth and 70 to 85 horsepower. Backhoes designed for heavier industrial and commercial applications, such as road and bridge maintenance or large-scale construction, have a dig depth greater than 17 feet (5 m) and at least 100 horsepower.

 

Backhoes also have breakout force ratings. Breakout force describes the maximum force that the arm can apply on a load. Backhoes also have stick lift and boom lift ratings, which indicate the maximum weight the stick and the boom can lift individually when the hydraulic rams are pushing with full force. This is another measure of a backhoe's general capacity, and is especially useful when backhoe is used for lifting heavy loads.

 

Like backhoe arms, loaders are rated by their breakout force. This rating indicates the maximum force the loader's hydraulic rams can apply to the front bucket, which is a measure of the loader ability to push and lift a load.

 

The following are the main specifications of the most popular models for the best selling brands in the market.