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The Backhoe Loader – Its History, Functions, and Different Kinds of Attachment

A backhoe loader is one of the most common heavy-duty equipment used in construction projects. Versatile, powerful, and extremely efficient, a backhoe loader is among the first construction machinery deployed in a worksite. It is used to accomplish a wide variety of tasks including excavating, demolishing, and transporting building materials. With the use of its modular attachments, it can be utilized as an auger, a stump grinder, and even as a jackhammer.

If your construction firm is currently looking for a backhoe loader in the Philippines, then make sure to read this article. Here, we share with you every important aspect that you should know about the backhoe loader:

History

The development of the backhoe loader started in 1947. The inventors of Wain-Roy Corporation from Hubbardston, Massachusetts created and tested the first backhoes. A year later, they sold their invention to Connecticut Light and Power Company for $705. the first hydraulic backhoes were mounted to a Ford Model 8N tractor.

Interestingly, JCB in the United Kingdom is considered to be the first to produce backhoe loaders with both the loader and the backhoe permanently attached to a tractor in 1953. Because of this, backhoes in the UK, India, and Ireland, backhoes are called JCBs.

In 1970, the first-ever backhoe loader featuring a four-wheel drive system was introduced by Hy-Dynamic (currently a division of Bucyrus-Erie). Since then, a number of improvements have been made. For example, both John Deere and Caterpillar changed the back arm of the backhoe and made it slightly curved to permit more maneuverability.

Functions of a Backhoe

The same with other loader varieties, a backhoe loader is also versatile. Basically, the backhoe loader has two main components that complete the job—the loader and the backhoe. The former is attached to the front part of the equipment and is used to pick up loose materials such as sand, gravel, and dirt; the latter is attached to the back and is used for digging and lifting heavy loads.

But those are not the only uses of a backhoe loader; it can also be utilized in numerous tasks such as breaking asphalt, landscaping, and paving newly constructed roads. You can also replace the equipment's backhoe bucket with different kinds of attachment.

Different Backhoe Loader Attachments

Generally, it is the attachment that makes a backhoe loader even more versatile. It allows the machine to become even more efficient. Here's a list of some of the common backhoe loader attachments:

Backhoe Bucket

This one is the most common attachments used in a backhoe loader. Its general purpose is removing loose materials such as soil and sand out of the way in a construction site. It can also get rid of rubble. Additionally, it can be utilized in transporting building materials, excavating, landscaping, and can even be used in farming.

Hydraulic Breaker

The hydraulic breaker works as a jackhammer. It is used to break hard materials such as concrete and rock. Instead of purchasing several jackhammers, it will help construction companies if they just buy a hydraulic breaker and attach it to the backhoe loader. Once the hard material is broken, the rubble can be easily collected and disposed of using the bucket attachment.

Pallet Fork

Guess what! You can even turn your backhoe loader into an on-site off-road forklift by simply attaching a pallet fork. Instead of allocating a bevy of machines to a worksite, it can actually help construction companies if they just rely on attachments and transform the backhoe loader into whatever needs to be done on the site.

With a pallet fork, loading and unloading materials are extremely easy.

Broom Bucket

Commonly used in landscaping, public works, and agriculture, this attachment makes it a lot easier and quicker to clean up an area. With its sweeper, pushing away debris and dirt is a piece of cake. But if you want to make things even easier, then consider attaching a pickup broom; it will pick up debris and deposit it in a hopper bucket so that you can effortlessly dump the dirt.

Auger

Typically utilized in landscaping, an auger can dig holes for trees and shrubs. This attachment is also ideal for digging holes used for footings and posts. There are several types of auger attachments that can be utilized on a backhoe loader; the most powerful of them are even used in the mining industry.

If you want to get the best from your backhoe loader, consider buying attachments as well. There’s a good chance you won’t have the need to acquire other heavy-duty equipment.