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What do you get when you combine a tractor, a front loader and a digging arm? A backhoe — one of the most versatile earthmoving machines. It's often compared to a Swiss Army knife. It can’t open a can of beans or file your nails, but with a bucket on the back and a loader on the front, a backhoe is equally adept at excavating and moving materials. With a quick attachment switch, it also can sweep, plow, drill, grip or rip.

But what exactly is a backhoe used for? How deep can one dig? And when should you choose a backhoe over an excavator?

Let’s dig into it.

What is a backhoe?

Let’s start at the back and work our way forward. The backhoe gets its name from the digging tool attached to the rear of the tractor. Think of it as an arm — the boom is the upper arm, the dipstick is the forearm and the bucket is the hand. It digs by dragging the bucket toward the machine.

In the middle is a tractor. It usually rolls on wheels, although some compact backhoes move on tracks. Behind the rear wheels are stabilizer legs that lower to the ground to keep the tractor steady while digging. In the cab atop the tractor, there are separate controls at the back and front to operate the digging arm and front loader. The driver’s seat rotates to face either direction.

On the front is a loader that raises and lowers to scoop, move and dump dirt or other materials.

“A backhoe combines two machines in one: a front loader bucket for pushing and moving dirt, and a rear excavator bucket for digging,” Territory Account Manager Katie Laxson said. “It’s a versatile two-in-one solution, with each end designed for a different task.”

That combination is what makes a backhoe useful when a job needs excavation and material handling.

What is a backhoe used for?

One great advantage of a backhoe is its versatility. When a project involves digging and moving material, a backhoe can be a great choice. It can maneuver in tight spaces and tackle rough terrain or paved surfaces, which makes it useful for agriculture and landscaping in addition to construction. Farmers use backhoes to haul hay, till soil and build fences. Landscapers use backhoes to clear land, plant trees and dig ponds. On construction sites, they are used for smaller demolition projects, grading and material hauling, among many other jobs.

Depending on the task at hand, the bucket and loader can be replaced by other attachments, such as augers, rippers, compactors, hammers, snow blades and brooms. These gadgets allow the backhoe to drill, cut through hard surfaces, tamp down the earth, break rocks, plow snow and clear debris.

Need to dig a trench for a utility line? The rear bucket can handle it. Need to move the dirt you just excavated? Switch to the front loader. Need to break through a hard surface? The right attachment can turn the backhoe into a whole different tool.

What size backhoe do you need?

Backhoes aren't one-size-fits-all, so it’s important to match the machine to the job. A compact backhoe could be the best choice for a job that only requires digging to a depth of eight feet, for small jobsites with tight spaces or for delicate ground that can’t support the extra weight of a full-size machine.

Bigger backhoes, with up to 150 horsepower, can dig to depths of 16 feet or so. If the job requires a deeper dig than that, an excavator may be a better choice — your local �鶹��Ƶ branch will help you select the right machine for the job. Another factor to consider is the backhoe’s bucket size, which usually ranges from 12 to 36 inches, depending on the size of hole you need to dig and the weight of the materials you’ll be lifting.

What’s the difference between a backhoe and an excavator?

If you’re choosing between a backhoe and an excavator, you need to know which machine is better for the job. 

A backhoe gives you both digging and front-loader capabilities. This makes the backhoe a better choice when your project involves excavation and material handling. An excavator gives greater digging depth and reach. If you're mainly doing deep excavation, an excavator makes more sense.

Still not sure? Reach out to your local �鶹��Ƶ team to find the right piece of equipment for your project. 

Backhoe Safety

A backhoe is a huge piece of equipment, and operating one safely starts before the machine starts moving.

Operating a backhoe doesn’t require a special license, but you should strongly consider some training through a technical school or on the job before you climb into the cab. Your state might require you to have a commercial driver’s license to use it on a public road.

Like any piece of heavy equipment, a backhoe can be dangerous or cause damage to its surroundings. Never dig without first checking with local utility companies to ensure there aren’t wires or pipes beneath the dig site. Also, never dig without lowering the stabilizers. Be aware of your surroundings, including people, structures and overhead lines.

�鶹��Ƶ's T3 access control technology can be used to ensure only qualified users can operate your backhoe.

�鶹��Ƶ a backhoe for your next project

Interested in renting a backhoe? �鶹��Ƶ has branches nationwide with local experts who can help you find the right equipment for your job.