Editing Backhoe loader (section)

{{short description|Heavy equipment vehicle}}
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[[File:Backhoe_loader_Cat420E_left.jpg|thumb|right|Backhoe Loader Cat 420E]]
[[File:JCB 3CX - Gilo Jerusalem 2022-06-05 IZE-006.jpg|thumb|A [[JCB 3CX]] backhoe loader]]
[[File:jcb.backhoe-loader.jpg|thumb|A JCB backhoe loader performing work in India]]
A '''backhoe loader''', also called a '''loader backhoe''', '''loader excavator''', '''tractor excavator''',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vehicle licensing statistics: notes and definitions |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vehicles-statistics-guidance/vehicle-licensing-statistics-notes-and-definitions |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref> '''digger''' or colloquially shortened to '''backhoe''' within the industry, is a [[heavy equipment (construction)|heavy equipment]] vehicle that consists of a [[tractor]]-like unit fitted with a [[Loader (equipment)|loader]]-style [[shovel]]/[[bucket (excavator)|bucket]] on the front and a [[backhoe]] on the back. Due to its (relatively) small size and versatility, backhoe loaders are very common in [[urban engineering]] and small construction projects (such as building a small house, fixing urban roads, etc.) as well as developing countries. This type of machine is similar to and derived from what is now known as a TLB (Tractor-Loader-Backhoe), which is to say, an agricultural tractor fitted with a front loader and rear backhoe attachment.

The true development of the backhoe actually began in 1947 by the inventors that started the Wain-Roy Corporation of Hubbardston, Massachusetts. In 1947 Wain-Roy Corporation developed and tested the first actual backhoes. In April 1948 Wain-Roy Corporation sold the first all-hydraulic backhoes, mounted to a [[Ford Model 8N]] tractor, to the Connecticut Light and Power Company for $705.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.digrock.com/originalbackhoe.html|title=History and origin of the first hyadraulic Backhoe 1948, and the first Tractor Loader Backhoe 1951|website=www.digrock.com|access-date=2017-03-30}}</ref>