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Backhoes for Digging, Demolishing, Landscaping, Mining and Grading
A backhoe largely resembles a tractor with the exception of a front loader bucket and a rear digging bucket, allowing it to perform many different supportive roles for construction, landscaping, and earthmoving projects. With the right attachments, backhoes are commonly found on construction sites hauling materials, performing light demolition, and grading roads; they are also found around the farm laying irrigation pipes, digging barn posts, and burying livestock; backhoes can do landscaping chores such as removing tree stumps (as well as whole trees), constructing artificial ponds, and creating stone walls; finally, backhoes are used to deepen and widen (excavate) mine shafts such as coal pits.
My Little Salesman understands the versatile power of a backhoe, which is why we list backhoes for sale (and backhoe attachments) that can effectively match your industry needs quickly and at a fair market value. Whether you need a single tilt or parallel backhoe (center mount or side shift), our backhoe listings have got you fully covered!
Choosing the Right Backhoe
First, decide between the two main types of backhoes:
- Center Mount – The rear backhoe does not move from the center point at all. The stabilizers swing out widely, giving more stability at the cost of creating a larger footprint. Primarily used for farming and construction jobs with open spaces.
- Side Shift – Vertical stabilizers lets the operator get as close as possible to building. The rear backhoe can move at various angles instead of staying fixed to one point, which allows it to keep the boom tucked closely the machine when traveling. These characteristics make them popular for small sites without much room.
For the backhoe loader, you usually have two choices:
- Single Tilt – A single central ram dumps the bucket and retracts to pull the bucket back into place (cheaper, less efficient).
- Parallel Lift – Three rams support the arm and the bucket so that the bucket stays in place while rising (for an improved lifting performance).
Above all else, deciding on a backhoe largely depends on the size of the task at-hand. While backhoes can easily perform smaller jobs, it is sometimes more cost-efficient to use smaller equipment such as mini-excavators and skidders. At the same time, as powerful as they are, backhoes should be used for medium-sized jobs.
Tips for Buying Used Backhoes for Sale
- Make sure the teeth of the loader bucket and backhoe bucket aren’t loose, missing, or scalloped, and that all the bolts are still in place.
- The loading arms, backhoe boom and stick should not be cracked or poorly re-welded.
- Hydraulic hoses should free from breaks and scratches, and the couplings should not be worn or loose.
- Cylinders should not be leaking, dinged or scratched.
- The engine should not leak or make strange noises.
- Check the service date of the air filter to determine if the owner was responsible
- The stabilizers should not be leaking, cracked, or dented, and the shoes must not be bent.
- The cab’s seat, foot pedals and joy stick should work well.
- Try to compare the hour meter with the general condition of the cab.
Backhoe Buying Guide
Need more information? Check out our backhoe buying guide for details on sizes, specs, attachments, costs, and more!
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