Most project managers, engineers and contractors face a challenge to choose the right machine: backhoe or excavator. Both equipment are used for construction work, but have different features.
If you pick the wrong machine, it can affect your work progress badly. So, we prepared this guide to show you the major difference between backhoe and excavator.
What is a Backhoe?
A backhoe is a small but strong digging machine. It has a bucket with an attached arm on the back. With its ladder, you can lift and scope dirt. You can use it to dig holes and pick up heavy things. It is also called a digger or tractor loader backhoe. This machine operates with the following components.
- Boom
- Stick (Dipper Arm)
- Bucket & Front Loader
- Cab
- Stabilizers
- Engine
- Hydraulic System
- Wheels/Tracks
What is a Excavator
An excavator is a machine which you can use to dig and move heavy materials. It also has an arm with a bucket to perform different tasks. Generally, it is used for large scale operations such as demolition and lan moving.
Backhoe Types
For your different jobs, many types of backhoe are designed by engineers.
- Backhoe Loader: This machine is made with both the backhoe arm at the back and a loader bucket at the front. You can lift and move materials with it.
- Mini Backhoe: It is a smaller and lightweight machine than a regular backhoe. It will be easy for you to handle and perfect for small home projects.
- TLB Backhoe: You will find the features of both tractor and backhoe in TLB backhoe. Plus, you can turn its seat if you want to work with the front ladder or backbone only.
- Extendable Backhoe: It is built with a special extendable arm, so you can reach farther and dig deeper. Along with this, you don’t need to move the machine all the time.
- Wheeled Backhoe: Rather than tracks, this machine operates on wheels. That means, you can drive it faster on roads and hard surfaces. It is good for your small to medium jobs.
- Tracked Backhoe: This vehicle moves on tracks instead of wheels. This is the reason that it works well on soft, muddy & uneven ground without getting stuck.
- 4×4 Backhoe: It has four-wheel drive, so you can move it easily on slippery ground. It is strong and ideal for construction and farm work.
Types of Excavators
- Crawler Excavator: This type of excavator is best for the muddy, soft and rough ground. It has a good gripping mechanism because it easily moves on tracks.
- Wheeled Excavator: There are large and heavy wheels in this machine. So, you can use these excavators on urban road work projects.
- Mini Excavator: As the name indicates, it is a small machine which you can use for digging and lifting tasks. You can use them for transporting, landscaping and farming areas.
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- Long Reach Excavator: With the help of its long arm, this excavator can dig horizontally up to 100 meters. Companies prefer this for breaking tall buildings or digging a lake from a safe distance.
- Dragline Excavator: If you use a dragline excavator, you can easily collect soil, sand and rocks at large construction sites and mining projects.
- Suction Excavator: Suction machine will help you to extract soil and dirt on one side. It also has the ability to release material through suction pipes. This tool comes with approx. 400 horsepower.
- Amphibious Excavator: It has a heavy base which can work in deep water. It also has a long bucket and it can store water or anything. It is best for water related heavy tasks like flood controlling and in canals, rivers and coastlines.
Backhoe and Excavator Difference
You can use these both machines for the purpose of digging and moving materials. But still they have many differences in terms of their size, design and power.
| Main Features | Backhoe | Excavator |
| Size | This machine is small and light in weight | Has big size and heavier than backhoe |
| Rotation Range | Arm can turns about 200° only | It can rotate a full 360° |
| Versatility | It can dig, lift & move materials | Mostly designed for digging and lifting heavy loads. |
| Depth of Digging | 10 – 18 feet | 60+ feet |
| Weight Capacity | 1,500 to 3,500 pounds | 1,500 – 2,500 pounds |
| Price | Around $1,300 – $50,000 | $2,000 to $80,000 |
| Power | Average engine power is 68 to 74 HP | Has 13 HP engine or might more for large ones |
| Control System | Mainly operate with levers | It use joysticks and pedals |
| Fuel Capacity | In range between 37 & 40 gallons | Normally 10 – 25 gallons or more for big excavators |
Size
The backhoe is usually smaller. It will be easy for you to drive it on the road and at different working sites. Due to its compact build, you can operate backhoe on farm projects and areas where space is limited.
An excavator is a bigger and heavier machine than a backhoe. This is the reason that makes it hard to drive and is not suitable in tight zones.
Rotation Range
While operating the backhoe, you can turn its arm about 200 degrees only. But, excavators have the ability to rotate in a full circle (360-degree rotation). Without moving the whole machine, you can dig and move materials in any direction.
Versatility
You will find more versatility in a backhoe because it has both a front loader and a back arm to dig the land. This feature allows you to do a lot of work such as digging, lifting & moving materials with only one machine.
On the other hand, an excavator is mainly manufactured for digging and lifting heavy loads. That’s why it is less flexible for mixed tasks than a backhoe.
Depth of Digging
With a backhoe, you can dig around 10 to 18 feet deep. Because of this limited digging, you can use it for your small & medium projects.
Excavators can dig much deeper than backhoes. Its depth range can be 60 feet or sometimes more. This machine is ideal for your big projects where heavy digging is required.
Power
The power of these two machines can vary according to their size. We will give you a general range. For example, a backhoe engine may have 68 to 74 horsepower (HP). It’s still enough for your construction and road projects.
While excavators are more powerful equipment, mini excavators might operate with 13 horsepower (HP). But big ones use hundreds to thousands of HP.
Weight Capacity
With the front bucket, backhoe weight capacity generally ranges between 1,500 to 3,500 pounds. But the excavator’s weight capacity is based on its model & size. For example: small excavators can lift around 1,500 to 2,500 pounds. Large models can handle over 40,000 pounds.
Price
The cost for backhoe and excavator can be changed on the basis of their model, size and features.
Backhoe Price: $1300 to $ 50,000
Price of Excavator: $ 2000 – $ 80,000
Fuel Capacity
Most backhoes have a fuel tank that can hold around 37 to 40 gallons. It is enough for your light to medium jobs in a day.
But excavators can carry approx. 10 to 25 gallons. Some special models of excavators can also operate with full tanks of 60 to over 100 gallons.
Control System
Backhoe works with its basic control system which is levers. You can push and pull the levers to move its arm/bucket. In some machines, you may find pilot controls such as 2 joysticks (stick backhoe controls) or buttons.
Excavators contain more advanced ISO control systems like modern joystick and foot control pedals. They also have electronic systems called an electric-over-hydraulic (EH) system.
Backhoe vs Excavator for Farm Use
On a farm, a backhoe will be your better choice because it is smaller and can do many jobs with its front loader and digging arm. You can also move it easily between different areas.
An excavator is stronger for big digging work in one place. That’s why it will be harder for you to move in the fields. Moreover, it is not as good for your different tasks around the farm.
How To Operate a Backhoe
If you want to operate a backhoe, you must follow some basic steps.
- Bucket Set-Up: You sit in the cab, lower the stabilizers, unlock the boom then move the stick out and open the bucket.
- Drop the boom: Now carefully push the right control to lower the boom.
- Start To dig: Next, you can move control to the left, pull the bucket in and scoop soil.
- Lift the Dirt & Dump the Soil: After that, move both controls to lift the boom, then open the bucket again and pull the stick in to unload the soil.
What is a Backhoe Good For
A backhoe is a useful machine that can handle your many different tasks. It is a most ideal tool for your following activities.
- Digging holes, ditches and foundations
- Soil, sand or gravel moving for gravel roads building
- Lift and carry heavy loads
- Old concrete and asphalt breaking plus removing
- Landscaping and leveling land
- Snow removal and clearing debris
- Construction projects & road building
Excavator Advantages
If we talk about the positive aspect of excavators for your different jobs, it is actually a powerful machine. You can use it for your heavy load work. Below are some examples:
- Deep digging of foundations and trenches.
- You can easily lift and place heavy materials.
- Demolition of buildings and structures will be better with it.
- It performs well for mining and quarrying work.
- You can use it for your large-scale landscaping projects.
- Good for river dredging and clearing large areas of land.
Famous Backhoe and Excavator Companies in China
Chinese Excavator Brands
- JACKWIN
- Shandong Infront Machinery Co., Ltd.
- Qingdao Everun Machinery
- XCMG Group
- ZOOMLION
China Backhoe Loader Suppliers
- JACKWIN
- YUFAN Machinery
- LTMG Machinery
- MAXBULL
- Komatco Industrial Equipment
Which is Better Backhoe or Excavator
Our company JACKWIN is located in China and proudly serves 70+ countries with high quality construction machinery. From our experience, we recommend you must know your work requirements first before buying any machine.
Then you can compare the available features of backhoe and excavator to see which one fits your project best. A backhoe is better for lighter jobs, while an excavator is ideal for heavy digging and large-scale projects.
Summing Up
We hope now you have all the information about backhoe and excavator differences. So, you can confidently decide which machine is suitable for your project. Instead of you guessing, match the machine to your work demands.
With the right equipment, your work runs smoother and will be cost-effective every time. For your inquiries about road construction equipment and materials, you can talk to our team also.
FAQs
Can You Excavate With a Backhoe?
Yes, you can use a backhoe for excavation purposes. It is designed to dig and move dirt which make it perfect for excavation like holes, foundations and small construction projects.
How Much Is a Used backhoe?
Well, a used backhoe price is generally 30% less than its new version. It can cost you anywhere between $1000 to $35000. But, you must keep in mind that this price can vary depending on backhoe brand, age, size as well as its condition.
How Much Dirt Can an Excavator Move?
Well, it depends on the size of the excavator. For example: big excavators can move many tons of dirt at once. But, smaller or mini excavators can move less.
Why Do Excavator Tracks Come off?
Excavator tracks generally come off due to damaged sprockets, loose track tension or uneven ground also put extra stress on the tracks. When you operate it on sharp turns, slopes & debris, it can also cause tracks to slip out of its position.
What Are the Safety rules For Backhoe Loaders?
You have to wear a seat belt and safety gear when operating a backhoe. It’s also important to check the machine to make sure it is working properly. You should drive slowly on uneven ground, avoid steep slopes and never carry more than the backhoe capacity.
