New and Used Backhoes For Sale

Backhoes For Sale

Backhoes play an important role at construction sites, farms and other work sites where they move earth in various ways to create smooth terrain and to dig ditches and trenches.

The backhoe consists of a front shovel, a backhoe, a digging bucket and a tractor. Modern equipment use quite advanced technology including hydraulics and electronics that allow for operation that is more precise and versatile. Most backhoes these days allow you to change attachments depending on the job at hand.

The advantage of backhoes is that they are relatively compact, yet powerful for significant earth-moving tasks. Improvements in hydraulics, maneuverability and horsepower provide modern backhoes with greater versatility and capability than machines of the past.

General uses for backhoes

The most common types of jobs that backhoes perform include: backhoe for sale

• Earth digging and moving
• Smoothing out the ground
• Cleaning construction sites
• Creating trenches, ditches, canals and dikes
• Removing deep tree stumps and roots

You can often see backhoes in use after natural disasters when they clear away debris from floods, storms, hurricanes, earthquakes and similar types of events.

Backhoes are useful for construction projects, and they are also often found on farms and ranches.

Investing in backhoes

Backhoes are a significant expense for most people, so it pays to think about just what type of equipment you need, and then to shop around and compare deals. With some effort, you can often find a great value that provides just what you need at an affordable price.

The first thing you should consider is how you will use the equipment. Do you plan on using backhoes to remove trees and stumps, to dig trenches or to prepare terrain for a new building?

If the equipment is not integral to the type of work that you are doing, then used equipment may suffice. However, new backhoes are probably better for those who will frequently depend on these machines.

Where to find new and used backhoes

Many dealers offer backhoes for sale and probably the easiest place to find a location in your area is to search via the Internet. Enter queries for new or used backhoes for sale in major search engines like Google, Yahoo or Bing.

You can find both new and used backhoes for sale on this site allowing perusal of offerings from the comfort of your desktop computer or mobile device.

Used backhoes

When choosing second-hand equipment, you must carefully consider the condition of the used backhoe for sale in addition to the price. Here are some of the things to look for:

Age of equipment

Sometimes age is not as important as the quality of maintenance of the equipment. A 20-year-old used backhoe for sale may still function well if the previous owner took care to keep the equipment in good working condition.

Wear and tear

Do not judge backhoes so much by their looks but rather on the condition of the hydraulic system, electrical system, electronics, engine and frame. Many backhoes will get marked up over years of rugged use, but they may still get the job done if all the important working parts are relatively new.

Design and function

Make sure the equipment has the right features to perform all your intended tasks. If you plan to use the machines for farm work, you may not need the same heavy-duty equipment used at construction sites.

Buying new backhoes

One of the advantages of purchasing new equipment is the warranty generally offered by the manufacturer and/or dealer. If anything goes wrong, you will be able to get the problem fixed or the product replaced.

Of course, you can expect more years of service, generally speaking, from new as compared to used backhoes. You also will get more customer support in most cases when buying new equipment. If you buy a used machine from an individual seller, you may not get any customer support.

Specifications to consider

Whether you are looking for used or new backhoes, there are some important technical aspects to look for when selecting your equipment.

Horsepower

Make sure the engine has sufficient horsepower to get the job done. Gross horsepower is the overall amount of engine power, while PTO horsepower is the left over energy from the engine that operates the digging and other equipment. Reserve engine torque, measured in lb-ft, indicates the potential for maintaining constant speed and power when the tractor carries a load or is operating its digging equipment. Often, you will not find reserve torque listed in the equipment specifications and you should ask the dealer about this in such cases. Sub-compact tractors generally have PTO up to 20 PTO horsepower, while compact tractors will go up to 40 PTO horsepower. Large tractors exceed 40 PTO horsepower.

Size

Select equipment at a size that fits into your job requirements. If you buy a tractor too big for your needs, you will end up wasting money on fuel. The upfront cost of large tractors is another expense that you want to avoid if possible. Consider the potential working spaces and whether or not the tractor will be capable of maneuvering in that terrain.

Pump

The hydraulic pump operates the digging equipment by creating the fluid pressure needed for all hydraulic functions. Some sub-compact and compact tractors use single pumps, but most tractors will have dual pumps. The latter type of pump is preferable when you need more power and precision. With a dual pump, you can use different types of hydraulic attachments with your tractor for greater versatility and capability.

Valve Assembly

The hydraulic valves are better when located under the footrest area as this position provides for superior heat dissipation and longer valve life.

Cabin

The operator’s cabin should be comfortable and designed so that the equipment is easy to use. You should also consider visibility as a poor range of vision can hamper the equipment’s performance capabilities.

Bucket Size

Bucket size is important as are bucket teeth options. Bucket teeth are available in welded and bolt-on versions. The bolt-on bucket teeth are better for a wide variety of soil types including heavy digging in rocky areas.

Boom Type

The digging boom is available in two main options, the straight boom and the curved boom. The straight boom assembly is more versatile, but it also tends to obstruct the operator’s view more than the curved boom design. Newer curved boom assemblies are very strong because they distribute the work load better than straight booms.

Backhoe features

Make sure the attachment has all the features you need for your potential jobs. Two types of frames are available for attachments, the four-point mount and the full sub-frame design. With the sub-frame, you must remove the whole sub-frame each time you change attachments. The four-point mount system is easier since you only need to remove the attachment.

Popular manufacturers

The best-known manufacturers of backhoes include John Deere, Caterpillar, New Holland and Case Company. Each of these companies offers a wide range of equipment that is popular with consumers.

Buying a new tractor from a dealer has its advantages, but whether you buy new or used equipment, you should test out the equipment before purchasing. Ask for a demonstration or a test drive to see whether the product is right for your needs.