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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
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Page 4: DECEMBER 2011 Contents 16 12 16 Ins
Page 8 and 9: groundbreaking news No Loans = Less
Page 10 and 11: groundbreaking news Father of the B
Page 12 and 13: Inside Washington Special Report Gr
Page 14 and 15: tion and Infrastructure Committee t
Page 16 and 17: The Next Evolution in Innovation Di
Page 18 and 19: Polarizing Solutions Vermeer Unveil
Page 20 and 21: The Heat Is On Serious Thermal Prod
Page 24 and 25: Eight Ways to Protect Your Construc
Page 26 and 27: Then There Was Light Utility Contra
Page 28 and 29: N safety management Prevent Deadly
Page 30 and 31: nuca news GUCA Awards Scholarships
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Page 43 and 44: Don’t Get Left Behind! In the hus

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