View Full December PDF Issue - Utility Contractor Online

groundbreaking news
Father of the Backhoe
Loader Named to
Construction Equipment
Hall of Fame
Dig and load are the flagship operations of many utility
contractors, and nothing quite performs those two tasks
better than a backhoe loader. More than 50 years ago,
a clever engineer named Elton Long first designed and
manufactured the original tractor loader backhoe in the
United States. In November, the Association of Equipment
Manufacturers (AEM) inducted Long into the Construction
Equipment Hall of Fame, the equipment industry’s
highest award.
“Elton Long’s induction into the Construction Equipment
Hall of Fame is a great honor for his family, as well
as his extended family at Case,” said Jim McCullough,
President and CEO of Case Construction Equipment. “We
are pleased to accept this distinguished recognition of Mr.
Long’s many significant contributions, his innovation and
his leadership.”
Long’s innovation propelled Case Construction into a
position of leadership in the construction equipment industry,
which continues today. Long’s credits go beyond
being the primary engineer responsible for designing the
Case 320 backhoe loader; he earned dozens of patents during
his career, and his legacy of innovation and success
continues to influence the construction equipment industry.
Long lived from 1921 until 2003.
AEM added Long to its Construction Equipment Hall of
Fame at an induction ceremony in Miami, during its annual
conference. A judging board comprised of impartial representatives
and experts from major industry associations
elected Long to the Construction Equipment Hall of Fame.
The judging panel evaluates nominees based on the extent
to which they exemplify the Hall of Fame’s five guiding
principles: innovation, industry contributions, leadership,
corporate citizenship and
sustainability.
Long made his biggest
impact on Case and the industry
when he led the team
that developed the first
Pictured in front of one
of the original Case
320 backhoe loaders,
Sue Long, Elton Long’s
widow, and Sandy
Mill, his son-in-law,
accept an award for the
Construction Equipment
Hall of Fame.
factory-integrated “loader/
backhoe,” shipping the first unit — the Model 320 — on
Feb. 27, 1957. With the backhoe loader, Long and his team
created a machine that provided many advantages over the
retrofit approaches of other manufacturers. The integrated
backhoe loader was compact and easy to handle in a variety
of applications, including jobs previously done by
hand. Its integral design accommodated the different types
of loading, digging and carrying requirements the machine
would experience, and resulted in a manufactured product
tough enough to withstand the combined stresses of various
construction, agricultural and industrial applications.
Upon his retirement in 1984 as Vice President of Engineering
at Case, Long had received 46 patents for his
work in designing and improving construction equipment,
including the hydraulic “Extendahoe” extendible dipper
stick that added 2.5 ft to the backhoe’s dig depth. It continues
as a popular option more than 40 years later.
Zap this bizarre looking symbol with your
smart phone (using a QR code app) and
read an entire story on how to buy a
backhoe loader.
10 Utility Contractor | December 2011