Editing Backhoe (section)

==Description==
[[File:Backhoedigginginjapan-tokyoarea-feb27-2013.webm|thumb|Excavator digging in [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]]|left]]<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:steerbackhoe.jpg|200px|thumb|A [[skid loader]] with its bucket replaced by backhoe attachment]] -->
[[File:Excavator shovel Kobelco config.jpg|200px|thumb|Kobelco Excavator in shovel configuration]]

The term "backhoe" refers to the action of the bucket, not its location on the vehicle.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.emich.edu/cot/et/programs/cae/documents/cae545_tractor_2014.pptx|title=Tractor Back Hoe & Loader Mechanism|access-date=2019-04-23}}</ref> That is, a backhoe digs by drawing earth backwards, rather than lifting it with a forward motion like a person shovelling, a [[steam shovel]], or a [[bulldozer]].  The buckets on some backhoes may be reconfigured facing forward, making them "hoes".

A  [[backhoe loader|tractor-loader backhoe]] (TLB)  is a [[tractor]]-like vehicle with a backhoe at the rear, a front loader on the other and a [[Swivel seat|swivelling seat]] to position the operator facing whichever direction is needed at the time.  In North America, this arrangement is often referred to as simply a backhoe, or when on a chassis originally derived from farm tractors, a tractor-loader backhoe.  To differentiate, a backhoe on its own dedicated chassis may then be referred to as an [[excavator]].

Backhoe loaders can be designed and manufactured from the start as such, or can be the result of a farm tractor equipped with a front end loader (FEL) and rear backhoe.  Though similar looking, the purpose-designed backhoe loaders are much stronger, with the farm variation unsuitable for heavy work.

With the advent of [[hydraulic]] powered attachments such as a [[tiltrotator]], [[breaker (hydraulic)|breaker]], a [[grapple (construction)|grapple]] or an [[auger (drill)|auger]], the backhoe is frequently used in many applications other than excavation and with the [[tiltrotator]] attachment serves as an effective tool carrier. Many backhoes feature [[quick coupler]] (quick-attach) mounting systems for simplified attachment mounting, dramatically increasing the machine's utilization on the job site. Backhoes are usually employed together with [[loader (equipment)|loaders]] and [[bulldozers]]. Excavators that use a backhoe are sometimes called "trackhoes" by people who do not realize the name is due to the action of the bucket, not its location on a backhoe loader.

Backhoe loaders are general-purpose tools, and are being displaced to some extent by multiple specialist tools like the excavator and the speciality front-end loader, especially with the rise of the mini-excavator.  On many job sites which would have previously seen a backhoe used, a [[skid-steer loader]] and a [[Mini Excavator|mini excavator]] will be used in conjunction to fill the backhoe's role.  However, backhoes are still in general use. The difference between the backhoe and the skid-steer loader, are that the backhoe has attachments back and front, where as the skid-steer loader only has front attachments, however, the attachment versatility on a skid-steer loader is much greater.

Sometimes a backhoe [[Bucket (machine part)|bucket]] is reversed to work in a [[power shovel]] configuration.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.uotechnology.edu.iq/dep-building/LECTURE/structural%20engineering/third_class/Methods%20of%20Construction%20-%203rd%20Class/semester1/6-Excavating%20Equipment-Power%20Shovels.pdf|title=Power Shovels|date=2018-01-19|access-date=2019-05-03}}</ref>

Sometimes a backhoe arm is used as a crane, by slinging the lifted object from the support linkages behind the scoop (advisably not from the teeth, preferably from a hook welded on a bucket, [[quick coupler]] or [[tiltrotator]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.strategicforum.org.uk/handsrp.shtml|title=Strategic Forum for Construction|date=2014-09-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914230030/http://www.strategicforum.org.uk/handsrp.shtml|archive-date=2014-09-14|access-date=2018-03-27}}</ref>