Backhoe Loaders

Backhoes excavate backwards instead of going forward as bulldozers. Loader is located opposite side of the bucket and it works in a forward movement. Backhoe is equipped with two stabilizers that are used when excavating to transmit the forces generated to the ground. Backhoe digger, loader, and stabilizers are hydraulically controlled and power is transmitted from the tractor to the components through an oil based hydraulic system that uses a hydraulic pump, cylinders, pistons, and valves as their main components.

 

The boom arm is connected to the tractor with a swing casting provided with hydraulic pistons to sway the backhoe arm laterally from side to side. The backhoe arm commonly pivots on four to five different hinges and the loader moves on two to three hinges.

 

Usually, the main controls for a backhoe are two computer-style joysticks which are operated from a spinning seat that rotates completely in order to position the operator either facing rear for excavating or facing front for loading depending on the need.

 

Excavating effectively and efficiently with a backhoe requires practice. But in addition to learning the controls, the operator must also learn to position the arm knowing the best angle for the bucket as it sinks into the soil, knowing when to move the boom and when to move the stick and getting a sense of what arm positions provide the best leverage.

 

On the other hand, operating the loader is relatively simple because it only dumps, raises and lowers. The main loader control is a joystick on the right-hand side of the operator. The operator can control the stabilizer arms and move the tractor while loading.

 

The tractor basically handles with a steering wheel, accelerator, brake pedal and gear shift. The loader and the tractor are powered by the same engine, which has a variable speed control. For an extra boost in loader force, the operator can put the tractor in neutral gear so that most of the engine's power goes to the hydraulic system.