Why Is A Backhoe Called A Backhoe?

The backhoe is probably one of the most used pieces of heavy equipment with Smaller versions now being used by landscape gardeners.

The term backhoe is used to describe a piece of excavating equipment that consists of a digging bucket fixed to the end of an articulated arm.

The backhoe is typically mounted on the back of a tractor with common versions having a small front end loader at the front.

Rather than push earth, the backhoe works by digging the bucket into the earth; and dragging it towards the machine.

This pulling rather than pushing motion gives the Machine a lot of strength and power to its size.

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The question was, why is a backhoe called a backhoe?

The obvious answer is because the bucket Os located at the rear or ‘back’ of the machine.

However, the location of the bucket is not why they are referred to as backhoes.

As explained, instead of pushing the material forward the backhoe bucket scoops the earth back toward the body of the machine.

Whatever the reason for the name, they are one of the most used pieces of heavy equipment.

ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools include backhoes in their training regime.