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A Well Balanced Backhoe Loader
Enhance Productivity and Promote Safety with These Optional
Backhoe Loader Technologies
By Norman Blair
While most owners or operators would agree
that backhoe loaders are sometimes a primary
machine and sometimes a secondary machine
on the jobsite, all would agree that backhoes are
a necessity for utility work. What some contractors might not
realize is that equipment and features on some backhoes offered
by equipment manufacturers on the market today may potentially
enhance productivity and promote safety on the jobsite. Some
would say that a backhoe is just a backhoe depending on weight
class, horsepower, dig depth and lift capacity, but the truth is
there are many things that separate manufacturers of backhoes
when it comes to features or options that contractors should take
into consideration when purchasing their next machine.
Transmissions
Some backhoe loader manufacturers offer a synchromesh
transmission with a power shuttle as standard equipment. That
means there is a four-speed shifter on the floor to the right of
the steering wheel with a forward-neutral-reverse (FNR) power
shuttle shifter on the left hand side of the steering wheel. With
this transmission type, the operator has to shift with one hand
and change machine direction with the other. There are also
power-shift and auto-shift transmissions. These transmissions
are usually optional. With this transmission, the operator only
uses one hand to shift and change direction of the machine.
Today, power-shift transmissions come in two different
packages — one that uses mechanical synchronizers internal
to the transmission to shift gears and one that uses hydraulic
clutches internal to the transmission. Hydraulic clutches shift
smoother and auto-shift transmissions allow the operator to
shift either automatically or by hand.
Mechanical Front Wheel Drive (MFWD)
An owner or operator has much to consider when deciding
if his backhoe should include mechanical front-wheel drive
(MFWD). With MFWD, the operator has more control over
the machine in adverse conditions both on flat surfaces
and slopes. Some contractors opt for two-wheel drive, not
feeling the need for MFWD because their machines are used
on roads and other hard surfaces the majority of the time.
It’s important to know that when a dealer is looking at a
trade-in from a customer that MFWD machines are more
desirable for resale and therefore bring a higher trade-in
value. In addition to the economic benefit, MFWD assists
the machine in performance. The operator can use MFWD
to get more material at quicker cycle times into the loader
of the backhoe.
Ride Control
Another feature on backhoes to consider is ride control.
Ride control cushions the machine from bounce and aids the
operator in material handling and day-to-day driving. Some
contractors may not consider this feature because they do
not road their machine that much; however, when carrying
material (load and carry) in the loader bucket on the jobsite to
load a truck, material is often spilled from the bucket because
of bounce. Ride control has a dual advantage for both roading
the machine and keeping material in the bucket while loadand-carry
operations are being performed. With that being
said, the operator can move more material and has more
control over the machine.
Norman Blair is a Backhoe Product Consultant with John Deere.
22 Utility Contractor | December 2011