Different Uses of a Backhoe
When it comes to versatility on the job site, the backhoe is one of the first machines that should come to mind. There are few pieces of equipment that can take on as many tasks as the backhoe. In this article, we will outline all the best ways to use (or not to use) a backhoe.
The backhoe is looked at as the swiss army knife of construction equipment. For those projects where you need something to do a little bit of everything, renting a backhoe is often the go-to solution. But what really are the different uses of a backhoe? Let's break down using a backhoe for everything from landscaping and farming to general construction projects and even snow removal.
Backhoes for Landscaping
Backhoes are a great machine to rent for landscaping projects. With the digging arm on the back and the loader on the front, these machines can not only dig new gardens, foundations, and pools, but they can also help to move materials and carry plants, trees, and rocks back and forth on a landscape project.
In fact, planting trees is a great use of a backhoe. The large loader bucket at the front can transport trees without damaging the root ball. Planting a tree requires a hole that is 2-3 times larger than the root ball itself so there can be quite a bit of soil, sand, and clay to dig through.
Backhoes come in a range of sizes and can be a multi-purpose tool for landscape projects that need a little bit of everything.
Backhoes for Farming
The different attachments available for backhoes make them helpful machines on farms. Hydraulic hammers, rippers, sweepers, augers, and brooms are just a few attachments that make this machine truly diverse. Backhoes are great machines for farming because they can be used in many ways. Hauling hay, tilling the soil, carrying material, building fences, and digging holes can all be done with a single machine.
Space to store machines and the ability to rent many machines just isn’t as feasible for farms. The range of projects and needs is too wide. That’s why backhoes are a great multi-use machine for farms.
General Construction Projects
Many construction projects will use the backhoe loader to handle the short-term tasks on a project. While many construction companies prefer to rent specialized machines for specific projects, using a backhoe is great when the tasks change quickly or you can use a single machine for different things every day. Having various construction rentals coming and going every day can cause confusion and rack up a budget. If you need one machine that can handle something new every few hours, the backhoe is a great machine.
Snow Removal
Like tractors, backhoes are popular for snow removal because their large wheels handle snowy roads with ease, their large cabs provide great visibility and their power in HP and torque allow them to easily move snow with a plow attachment.
Backhoes for snow removal help to increase the diverse use of this machine even more. They can be used on projects all year long, in any weather and for any project.
When Should You Not Use a Backhoe?
Renting a backhoe is not always the best option, even though they are a diverse and powerful machine. Skid steers and mini excavators are great for small and precise digging projects. You can have them work together to dig and clear material or have them on separate projects. Basically, renting a mini ex and skid steer is like splitting the power of a backhoe in two.
Using an excavator is recommended when digging is the priority. Backhoes can dig, but excavators are made to dig. This also applies to loaders. If all you need is to lift and move material, then a loader is much more suited for that job than a backhoe and its small backhoe loader.
The Swiss Army Knife of Machinery
Backhoes are a multi-use type of construction equipment that can be used on all different projects. If you’re curious about finding a backhoe for rent, backhoe loader rental prices, or whether this machine is a good choice for your project, give our team a call! We’d be happy to help you decide if it’s the best machine for your project.
