What is the Difference between an Excavator and a Backhoe?

Excavators and backhoes are a common sight on construction sites across Australia. But when it comes to hiring one of these machines from Watsons Excavations, many people often get confused about which one to choose. 

Some people have never heard of a backhoe and just assume it's an excavator, only to be surprised when the wrong type of machine turns up. So in this blog, we are going to look at the differences between these two awesome pieces of earth moving equipment. 

Excavator

Excavators are one of the most versatile pieces of construction equipment. They consist of a body mounted on tracks that can swivel 360 degrees. A boom is connected to the body, which can be fitted with a range of implements including a bucket and grab. 

This arrangement allows excavators to move earth from a large area surrounding the machine without having to be moved to a different location. This is one of the main reasons to choose an excavator because it makes them extremely efficient. 

Excavators can be used for a range of applications including trench digging, landscaping, demolition, logging and heavy lifting. So if your project requires a lot of demolition, earthmoving and heavy digging, an excavator is the right machine for you.

Backhoe

Backhoes look a bit like tractors. They consist of a fixed chassis fitted with a swivelling hydraulic arm on the rear (hoe) and a large bucket on the front. The rear arm can be fitted with a range of implements, much like an excavator, but can only swivel 200º.

This arrangement allows the backhoe to carry out a wider range of tasks than an excavator. But the limited movement of the backhoe means they have to be moved around the site more often. 

Backhoes are also limited in size compared to excavators. The largest backhoes weigh around 8 tonnes while excavators are available up to 90 tonnes. This compact size can be an advantage, however, because it allows them to be moved more easily. 

Which is right for your project?

There are a few factors that you can use to determine which is the right machine for your project. 

Size 

The size of the machine you need will often dictate which type of machine to use. The bigger the machine, the more work you can get done in a day. So if your site can handle a large excavator, this will be more efficient than using a backhoe. 

Mobility

You should also think about the mobility required. An excavator is great for moving large amounts of dirt from a single place but less good at moving across the site. A backhoe, on the other hand, can easily move across the site but can move less dirt.

Task

In most cases, a backhoe can carry out the work of an excavator and vice versa. But some tasks are better carried out by excavators. For example, a backhoe is better suited to carrying out dozer work, while an excavator is better at demolition. 

Need help? Get in touch

If you would like help choosing the right equipment for your project, get in touch with our knowledgeable team today. We have years of experience supplying earthmoving equipment on the Sunshine Coast. 

Our fleet includes a large range of equipment from mini Bobcats to heavy excavators suitable for large scale construction and demolition sites. Complete the contact form or give us a call on 0409 496 125 for more information.