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Questions to Ask Before Purchasing a Backhoe

So, if you are also looking at buying one at your construction site, then here are few questions that you need to ask before purchasing a backhoe:

1) Why do I need a BHL?

Well, it is one of the most important questions that you need to ask before purchasing a BHL. Then there are questions like for what all jobs, the machine will be employed? What type of materials will be moved by the machine? Since buying BHL is a costly affair, you need to have a clear understanding of what it can and cannot do and whether it is the right equipment for the job that you are planning to perform with it.

2) How to find the best backhoe in the market that suits my need?

Although the basic design of BHL remains the same, yet the sizes differ. You need to find out the exact specifications i.e., the required horsepower, controls, dig depth, bucket capacity and operating weight that would be required based on the tasks that the BHL will be performing. You also need to ask the question that whether the operator will be roading or trailering the machine? Further, the decision to buy a 4-wheel or 2-wheel drive and automatic or manual transmission should also be taken at the time purchase. This will help you to finalise on the BHL model. In general, you should opt for the most powerful BHL that can work easily in tight spaces.

3) What backhoe attachments would I need?

It is important to make sure that you have the right attachments with the equipment depending on your need. Different types of attachments that can be used with BHL include forks and grapples, various digging buckets, tampers and breakers and other hydraulic-driven attachments like concrete saws and cold planners and many more. These attachments can help you to perform a broad range of tasks, increasing productivity and maximising the use of BHL.

4) What would be my operating cost i.e., how much would be the purchasing as well as maintenance cost?

One of the last but most important things to be kept in mind while purchasing a BHL is price consideration. Well, most of the rates at which the BHL are available on purchase are highly competitive, yet you need to ensure that you buy the BHL which fits well within your budget and does all the tasks that you want it to do. Further, it is also important to know about the maintenance cost as the equipment is highly subjective to wear and tear. If the maintenance is done properly, then the component lifecycle is extended, resale value remains high and downtime is rarely a concern. So, if you want to know the total operating cost of the equipment, you need to take all the costs into consideration.

So, in a nutshell, you need to ask some basic questions to yourself before taking the BHL purchase decision. What is needed is good planning and the required due diligence.

4 Most Used Heavy Earth Moving Equipment

  • Excavators: These are hydraulic machines consisting of a boom stick and bucket attached to a cab mounted on a rotating platform called “house”. The house usually sits on an undercarriage of tracks or wheels. Excavator booms usually have one of the following configurations • Mono • Knuckle boom • Base hinged: this allows the boom to move 180 degree independent of the house • TAB (Triple articulated boom) that allows 360 degree movement. The boom then connects to the dipper which provides the digging force to pull the bucket. Long dippers are used for reach and the small ones for break out power. At the end of the dipper is the bucket which are available in various shapes and sizes for different tasks. Additionally there are various attachments that can be used for boring, crushing, cutting, ripping, lifting etc. SAE and ISO are the two most preferred control configurations across the world.
  • Backhoe loaders: These are the most popular heavy earth moving equipment across the world and account for 45% of the heavy earth moving equipment market share. The machine is basically a tractor with a front loader and a backhoe. These machines are relatively smaller than excavators, have tires instead of tracks and only the operator’s seat swings instead of the whole cabin like in an excavator. While small in size, these machines are much more versatile and can be used with various attachments for jobs like breaking, crushing, lifting, digging, demolishing etc.
  • Bulldozers: These are incredibly powerful machines used in road construction, land clearing, mining and construction. The machine comes in variants with tyres and tracks with its primary tool being the blade at the front and ripper at the back. Usually U, S or a combination of the U-S type blades are used for various purposes. The ripper is usually used to break the top layer of hard ground into rubble which can later be graded by the blade. a sharpened blade is often used to cut and cleat tree stumps after trees have been cut down.
  • Skid steer loaders: These are compact, rigid and powerful machines with lift arms to carry out a lot of labour saving work. Unlike other machines, these do not have steering mechanism for wheels which are mechanically aligned with the side body of the machine. The front bucket of the machine can be replaced with various types of attachments like hydraulic breaker, pallet booms, auger, mower, snow blower etc to execute different jobs. Its compact size and high power gives it an edge over a lot of machines in its category.

Heavy earth moving equipment are a requisite for small and large sites alike across the world for all kinds of infrastructure related jobs thanks to their size, power and engineering that help complete daunting tasks with ease.

A buyers guide to buying a backhoe loader

It is quite literally the go to machine found on pretty much every possible job site. Be it the desert or snow, the backhoe will get the job done at a cost much lower than that of your specialist equipment.

Knowing how efficient a backhoe loader is one thing and buying it an entirely different ball game. Here are basic questions to ask when considering buying a backhoe loader.

1. Do you need one: Depending on the nature of your work and how you choose to use the backhoe, the most important question to ask is if you actually need to buy one or will renting it suffice for your needs. No point buying a backhoe is the job demands extensive use of an excavator or if your backhoe is required for less than 20-30% of the work on the site. Backhoe loaders are expensive machines to buy and require a more than modest spend on maintenance and storage. So be very clear if you need to actually buy a backhoe loader and if yes, do you have sufficient work on hand for the machine to earn its keep.

2. Old or new: Now that you have decided that you have to buy a backhoe loader, the question at hand is whether to buy a new machine or an old one. If buying a new one, you might as well buy the best backhoe loader in India that is available you would think. But the question still remains if your job requires you to buy the best backhoe loader in India or will a basic version suffice. Choose the make of the machine depending on your requirement and not on what is available. The more sophisticated machines come at a premium that you don’t necessarily need to pay. An old but maintained backhoe might be a good choice if the required work is very basic. Plus they can be brought much cheaper than the new ones.

3. Earning potential: This most probably the most important question that you should be asking. Once brought, do you have enough work for the machine to earn its keep? Old or new there is no point spending in a machine if you can’t use it to its potential. Your earnings should be on a positive note after deducting the storage maintenance and driver fees.

These are just the basic and first questions to ask when considering buying a backhoe. While the calculations and the bottom profit line may seem complicated, it is most definitely not rocket science. Whether the investment in the backhoe will give good returns will depend entirely on your clarity and calculations about why you need a backhoe and how you plan to use it.

Choosing Heavy Earthmoving Equipment 101

However, it is only the people in charge of the job that understand how critical it is to select the right heavy earthmoving equipment and operator for the same. The seemingly simple task of operating the machinery requires a lot of skill and science to make it happen.

That being said, here are some simple pointers to keep in mind when selecting heavy earthmoving equipment for your job site:

Quality Matters: Quality of the machinery is of prime importance when selecting one for a jobsite. Irrespective of whether you are buying or renting the equipment, quality remains a crucial factor. Always opt for best quality products even if it means spending some extra bucks. This small additional expenditure will probably save you from bigger expenses in form of maintenance and replacement of worn out parts in the future. Bad quality products are a liability and a threat to both the company using the product, and the people working on the site of the product. Accidents due to bad products are known to be fatal and in some cases have cost lives and a lot of money in others. Always check that the products meet the prescribed safety standards to ensure safety of the machine, operator and the onsite crew.

Matter of material: The material being moved is another major variable when choosing the machine. For example, sandy soil requires a scraper, while clayey soil would require a paddle scrapper. Some other materials might require tractor type scrapers with a robust and powerful engine to get the work done. A backhoe loader works well enough when in need of breaking asphalt and moving it on a road construction site. Cranes and forklifts on the other hand work well for material handling.

Site size: Size of the job and the job site matters when wanting to choose the heavy earthmoving equipment. Excavators are suitable to larger sites with sufficient moving space for the bulky equipment. Backhoes on the other hand are rather compact and are better suited for job sites with less moving space and narrow passages. Similarly if the machine needs to be used on different parts of the site, then a compact machine like the backhoe is suitable since it can be easily driven from one site to another.

Season wise: The season and terrain are important factors too that need to be taken in account when choosing equipment. Backhoes with extend hoe are required in colder climates covered by snow since the dig depth required is higher than normal. Warmers climates do not require these extension options. The equipment should have strong footing to suit the terrain and the climate. Wheels of the excavator don’t do well in snow clad or mushy regions.

These are just some factors to keep in mind when choosing a piece of equipment for your job site. We will be back with more to help you stay at the top of your game

Tips For Buying Best Backhoe Loader In India

When buying a backhoe loader, it’s important to understand and differentiate between the different specs offered by the various variants. Knowing what features are most important to you as per the work required will help you in the longer run. Here are some tips for buying best backhoe loader in India…

1. Minimal design, maximum power- One of the primary strengths of the backhoe loader is its compact design. So, buyers should see that the machine they are buying is easily able to navigate narrow corridors, alleys or side streets and has a reduced environmental footprint.

2. Size consideration- All backhoe loaders share the same basic design, but they come in a variety of sizes. Size is an important consideration while buying a backhoe loader. Digging depth can range anywhere from nine to over sixteen feet with larger models costing more.

3. Powerful mechanics- A powerful diesel engine at the heart and amazing hydraulics are also a must in a backhoe loader. The diesel engine creates power while the hydraulics amplifies it. The power of the diesel engine and the capacity of the hydraulic systems also differ from variant to variant.

4. Hydraulically speaking- Next, do you plan on using the machine in more versatile ways? You could consider a thumb on the backhoe or a 4-in-1 bucket on the loader, among other attachments. It is important to make sure you have the right auxiliary hydraulics in order to properly operate an attachment. Some attachments require unidirectional hydraulics while others require bidirectional hydraulics.

5. Features or attachments- Backhoes can be outfitted with a multitude of attachments to improve the machine’s versatility and income potential. Different types of attachments might include front forks and grapples, various digging buckets, tampers and breakers and other hydraulic-driven attachments like concrete saws and cold planers. So, look for these attachments.

6. Effortless operations and control- Another key consideration when buying a backhoe loader is making sure that the operator has the right controls. Select a machine where the operator can adjust the controls to be more productive. A joystick for effortless operations should be considered.

7. Strength in a smaller package- If operators will primarily be using the backhoe for lifting and placing objects, some machines come with special lift features. It is important to make sure your machine has ample power to do the proper lifting and craning required.

8. Backhoe bucket width- The bucket width of a backhoe loader is another aspect that has a major impact on productivity. Widths range between 12 and 60 inches wide. So, choose the machine accordingly.

9. Low maintenance cost and fuel economy- Many backhoe loader manufacturers have started implementing technology that increases fuel economy. So, opt for such equipment. Further, when identifying the best backhoe loader in India, it is also important to consider the maintenance cost. The lesser the cost, the better it is and this is very much possible with the modern machines in the segment. So, look out for such machines.

The correct backhoe loader model will depend on what it will be used for. Ensure that the backhoe loaders have the horsepower, dig depth, bucket capacity and operating weight necessary to handle all your tasks. Typically, most powerful, versatile and capable backhoe loaders that can work in tight spaces should be preferred. In most cases, customer’s specific needs such as four-wheel drive, extended reach or high lift capacity also define their search for the right equipment.

So, by now, we are sure that you would have understood as to what it takes to be the best backhoe loader in India.

Know About Backhoe Loader

While there are a lot of construction equipment in the market, a backhoe loader in particular is a favorite and a sizeable chunk of the construction equipment market.

A backhoe loader or backhoe as it is very fondly called by industry insiders is one of the most innovative inventions in the construction sector. What started off as a tractor with attachments has now taken on a life and standing of its own with both the industry insiders and outsiders alike to become the backhoe loader that we know it as today. Being the very backbone of the construction equipment industry, it has undergone many transformations over the years.

For those newly introduced and interested in the backhoe loader here are some pointers to help you get a gauge of what you are going to be spending your moolah on!

Specs Matter: When considering a backhoe loader, specs are what will give you the best insight about the strength, power and versatility of the equipment. It’s best to know your specs and compare them to the other available models so that you are not taken for a ride by the sales representatives. Ask questions like an insider to get the best possible deals for your moolah. The engine is the power house of the backhoe loader, make sure the engine capacity and power suits your requirements.

Hydraulic Tech: Hydraulics of the backhoe are what amplify the power of the engine to get all the tedious work done. When looking into a BHL do take note of its hydraulic capacity and the corresponding power of the engine. A high capacity hydraulic system with a weak engine is a waste of resources and the hydraulic power and vice versa. Pay extra attention to this particular system of the backhoe.

Structure Wise: The Backhoe loader is a construction equipment and needs structural strength and integrity to suit the work. Pay attention to the material used for the body of the backhoe and how much wear and tear it can withstand before crumbling to the pressure that it will most definitely be subjected to!

Control Cab: The cab is where the operator makes the magic happen. The operator needs to be comfortable in the cabin and with the controls to get the most out of the machine. The ease of control decides how much work the operator can get done in a set time period. Smooth controls are a requisite to get maximum work done in the minimum possible time and to utilize the power of the backhoe.

Boom Bucket: The boom is the component that decides the height and the dig depth a BHL can reach. The bucket decides the volume of material that can be handled and the stick helps maneuver the bucket in the required position.

Trial Round: Always make sure you try various backhoes before settling on the one you buy. Trying multiple backhoes will provide insight about how a good machine should function and feel. It is advisable to take your time trying various machines before shelling out huge amount of money.

Fundamental knowledge and experience go a long way to help you make the most of your backhoe loader.

Things To Know When Buying A Used Backhoe Loader

While the big players are more than happy to buy their own fleets of the latest equipment’s, the smaller players are looking to make their moolah by spending on used equipment.

Keeping this in mind here are some pointers for newbies looking to buy used backhoe loaders:

  1. Engine Sound: Listen carefully to what the engine has to say, because it usually tells the truth about how well the machine has been maintained. A machine that has difficulty starting, or starts with a lot of smoke or makes noises that it ideally shouldn’t are first signs of a machine that has not been maintained well. Insist on testing the engine and make sure you take an experienced mechanic along to test and make sure the engine is well maintained and working well.
  2. Hydraulics: Be patient and check all the components of the hydraulics given that it’s the component that does all the work. Look out for any possible leaks, scratches and dents to ensure that the lubricants do not leak or get contaminated. Couplings should be checked to make sure they are in a good condition. Hoses and cylinders should be checked for any signs of leaks or repairs. Steering difficulty, high fluid temperature, loss in pressure or chattering are signs of problems with the hydraulics. The stabilizers too are dependent on the hydraulics, check for any possible leaks, dents and cracks.
  3. Look down under: Pay special attention to checking things from the down side up. Check the axle configuration and front axle seals for any signs of leakage. The driveshaft needs to be checked for damage caused by rocks or an unruly terrain. Check the ground beneath the said points to check for first signs of leakage. When in operation, check for any noises coming from the driveshaft it could hint at damage to the transmission or possible replacements of the universal joints on the drive shaft.
  4. Cab and control: The first thing to notice is the overall cleanliness of the cab. It will give you a decent idea about how well the backhoe loader was maintained. Once inside the cab, check the condition of the seat, joystick, foot pedals. See if the hour reading is consistent with the wear of the cab and the machine on a whole. One the pit is good to go, next comes the operations. Let the engine sound, get the stabilizers down, wheels up and swing the boom in both directions, while keeping an eye out for loose bushings and or pins. Next comes the loader arm being moved up and down. Ensure that the stabilizer pads are undamaged and flat.
  5. Boom, stick and bucket: Both visual and functional inspections should be done for bends, cracks and welds. Confirm that the overall dig depth is the maximum that you could possibly require. Ensure that there are no missing bolts or teeth on the bucket.
  6. Structural integrity: Machines tend to wear out over time and tend to require replacements and welds. Ensure that the replacements are compatible with the machine and not inferior in quality. Welds on a general note are weaker than the one piece steel chassis of the machine. Take note of the location and quality of the welds and how it affects the overall integrity of the machine.
  7. Matter of age: The age of the machine matters significantly when making a choice. However there’s no guarantee that the age of the machine and its working hours are going to be in proportion. An older machine with fewer hours is a better choice to a relatively newer machine which has been abused to work beyond its capacity. Another important factor is the servicing history of the machine that will give you good insight into the condition of the machine.

New or old, a well maintained machine is the best thing you can give your business, for it to Rise!

How Mahindra Sealed A Deal For The Earthmaster Backhoe Loader With A Trusted Engineering Company?

Leading backhoe loader manufacturers in India include Cat, Case, JCB, John Deere and Komatsu.

Mahindra EarthMaster backhoe loader is a newer entry in the segment with huge potential to grow.

Recently, the exemplary features of the Mahindra EarthMaster backhoe loader bagged an order from a trusted engineering company.

Comparing the features of the Mahindra EarthMaster backhoe loader with the JCB backhoe loader, the purchase manager found the EarthMaster to be superior in engine capacity and torque.

Mahindra EarthMaster backhoe loader has a Gross Horse Power of 83 PS @ 2300 RPM versus the JCB backhoe loader model JCB 3DX’s 76 HP @ 2200rpm.

Earth Master’s Peak Gross Torque is 321 Nm @ 1300-1700 RPM versus JCB’s 310 Nm @ 1100 RPM. Torque is a measure of the machine’s ability to turn and accelerate, and helps the backhoe loader perform better. Higher torque is especially helpful for loading, dozing and leveling applications.

“Together, these two features promise higher digging force and therefore, higher productivity. Moreover, the reach/capacity of Mahindra EarthMaster backhoe loader’s buckets was further than the JCB,” said the manager.

Mahindra EarthMaster backhoe loaders are equipped with a banana boom which defines the machine’s maximum digging height and the maximum dump height.

The excavator of the Mahindra EarthMaster backhoe loader offers a maximum digging depth of 4891mm and maximum dump height of 4350mm.

When the Mahindra EarthMaster functions as a loader, the maximum dump height is 2716mm, load over height is 3278 mm, reach at ground is 1360mm and maximum reach at full height is 1091mm.

The EarthMaster’s VX variant boasts a 0.27 cubic metre backhoe bucket and a 1.1 cubic metre loader bucket versus the JCB’s 0.24 cubic metre.

The purchase manager was pleased to find that the higher engine capacity of the Mahindra EarthMaster backhoe loader was a standard feature of the machine, which does not compromise on fuel efficiency.

“Our back-of-the-envelope calculations show that we can expect 20% to 25% lower operations costs on machine maintenance and fuel. The Mahindra EarthMaster backhoe loader demands fewer oil changes,” he said.

The stated hydraulic oil requirement of the Mahindra EarthMaster backhoe loader is 105 litres, of which 50 litres is the service replacement requirement and the stated change interval is 2000 hours. The stated oil change interval for real axle oil is 1500 hours, for engine oil it is 500 hours and for transmission oil it is 1000 hours.

“Our upfront investment saving will be between 15% and 17% despite opting for the inbuilt extended warranty instead of standard warranty,” the manager added.

Backhoe Loader Basics: Renting and Buying

Backhoe loaders have even managed to find their way in fleets of road construction machines in line with the millers’ pavers and compacters. It comes as no surprise though given its compact size, maneuverability and power. That being said, one can’t deny the fact that a backhoe loader is a high value depreciating asset. Weather one rakes in profits or sustains losses depends entirely on how they choose to utilize it.

When it comes to one wanting to put a BHL to use on the job site, there are two options to choose from viz buying and renting. Both these choices have their own set of pros and cons based on the different variables that come into play. Below are some pointers that will help you make the best choice when buying a BHL.

  1. Scaling the job: The most important factor that comes into play is the job for which the BHL is required. The scale of the job is usually synonymous with the size of the company itself. Say when one has to deal with road construction, machines have to be either rented or brought depending on the duration and size of the project. For smaller companies looking to use a BHL on only a few occasions through the job, renting is usually a better choice. However if one is looking to scale up and has a budget for the same, buying one can also be a profitable investment. For owners, it makes sense to start renting the backhoe, if it is not in use for a minimum of 12-14 hours a day barring which, one will be spending more than what they earn.
  2. Budget Constraints: Money, plays a vital role when deciding on buying or renting a BHL. Renting is a smarter option for those with tighter budgets and buying a better option if one has the capital to invest for the longer run. Then there are those, who buy BHL’s to rent it out to occasional users. For such people it’s best to rent BHL’s of various brands, have a firsthand experience of the equipment then decide the brand make and model that they want to spend their moolah on. The same goes for larger companies investing in their own fleets. The cost of buying and renting equipment should be calculated and compared from a long term prospective to get the most out of the machine and money being used.
  3. Check list: Knowledge is key when it comes to renting or buying a BHL worth the money being spent. The backend of the loader does 70% of the work while the front end takes care of the remaining 30% work. It’s important that the specs of the machine, the comfort of the operator, the functions, console, joystick, maneuverability and the integrity of various parts be taken into account before deciding on the exact machine that one chooses to hire or buy. In either of the cases one should ensure that adequate customer support is available for both the equipment and its operation.
  4. Renting v/s Buying: When one looks at it from a short term point of view and occasion use, renting is the way to go while long term prospective warrants the need for owning a BHL. However in the whole conversation, overhead costs like insurance, storage, maintenance, etc are pushed back in the background, which again is a huge mistake. These so called smaller expenses add up to big losses in the longer run and should be considered as a major variable when taking the call. Renting also gives one easy access to various additional attachments without having to incur costs of buying it. Renting gives one the option of passing on the overhead costs to the agency, provided a proper contract is in place. In absence of an appropriate contract the party renting the equipment owns the bigger chunk of the risk. Renting gives you the option of having access to the latest equipment while buying runs with the risk of obsolesce. Renting leaves one open to the risk of having to use unmaintained equipment thereby increasing costs.

Whether buying or renting a BHL, informed calls are what will eventually decide on the profit margins!

Buying Criteria – Indian Construction Equipment’s Owners

Devoid of this information, backhoe rental is not charged aptly leading to losses for the owner. Precise number crunching is a must if companies want their investments to pay off profitably.

To get an accurate picture of the owning and operating costs of present day backhoe loaders, one needs to clearly understand the applications and the cost per hour of operation in each of the applications. For example, applications that involve major loader functions usage will incur a higher cost as compared to most backhoe applications.

While buying a backhoe loader, it is very important to have a detailed analysis of the owning and operating costs. The costs are generally available with all equipment manufacturers for their products at least, in different applications. The best way to compare is to check the Operating costs for each of the equipments in the same set of operating conditions/applications available and then make a calculated decision based on the numbers and not merely on the features or popularity of the product.

A product might have a very good “Brand Name” but if the rental costs in your area are low then “your rental” must be lower to get orders. Having an equipment from an established brand with higher hourly operating costs will neither guarantee you more business nor the required profits. A popular product with higher operating costs more often than not will result in losses.

For Backhoe Loaders operating in India around 60-65% of the operating expenses are the fuel costs. The average usage of these equipments being around 8-10 Hours per day, even a small saving in Fuel consumption will have a major impact on the bottom line.

For example if the Fuel Efficiency of your BHL is 4.5 liters/hour and of the other manufacturers offer a consumption of 5 liters/hour, you save 10% of Fuel every day.

Now considering the fact that 60% of your expenses are fuel costs that amount to a 6% less operating cost per month or 1.5 days of free work for a 25 days a month operation.

But most people do not consider this of prime importance. Even those who do consider this number crunching, are very few in number.

Indian customers off late have become increasingly sensitive to the costs, but a reasonable “social pressure” currently present in the market, successfully supersedes logic. The fear of venturing out is what leaves buyers susceptible to being taken for a ride. All thanks to the rigid Indian mindset that “Good things sell more”.

As the popular saying goes “Nothing ventured, nothing gained”. A classic example of this in the Indian CE context is the Mahindra EarthMaster BHL. With an ARAI verified Fuel Consumption that is probably at least 10% better than the industry, yet equipment owners give in to other brands. Mahindra being such a giant we do not see any reason why the Quality or Service would not be taken care of. With a product loaded with features, competitive in price yet relatively high apprehension amongst owners, and that too for no logical reason.

The trend however is changing with newer players gaining market shares, but the customers really need to understand that they need to support the “Best product” and not the “Best Brand”. Only when the manufacturers understand that the market will only accept the best product, will they get their engineers to actually work for building products that make money for the customers, thereby increasing customer profits.