If you haven’t shopped for a new loader backhoe recently, you may be pleasantly surprised at how technology has added to the ease of operation and money-making ability of these versatile machines in the past five or six years. Depending on make and model, you’ll find such features as:
• Auto-shift transmissions that give you a choice of automatic or manual selection of gears to match grade and load conditions.
• Four-wheel steering and shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive.
• Fuel-saving, noise-reducing auto-idle that returns engine speed to idle when you do not operate the joysticks for a set time during backhoe work.
• Ride control to eliminate front- to-rear rocking when traveling.
• Onboard diagnostics with multi-language digital monitors.
• 500-hour oil change intervals.
“These kinds of improvements have been driven by contractors’ demands for better performance, increased fuel efficiency, more comfort and convenience for operators, and lower maintenance costs,” says Jim Hughes, brand marketing manager with Case Construction Equipment. “They combined to increase productivity, enabling contractors to make more money with their loader backhoes.”
Enhanced controls
“The biggest trend has been the implementation of pilot-operated, joystick controls for both backhoe and loader operation,” says Jim Joy, backhoe loader marketing specialist with Caterpillar Inc., which began offering those controls as standard equipment seven years ago.
Placed closer to the operator, with lighter lever efforts and shorter lever throws, joysticks are quickly replacing the once-standard two- and three-lever controls for more natural, less tiring operation. “These controls have broken the decades-long paradigm of using long, mechanical levers and leaning forward to operate them,” he notes.
In addition, you can change the operating pattern of these controls between backhoe and excavator style by simply flipping a switch in the cab.
Improved power trains
In terms of engine technology, the most obvious advance relates to federal regulations for reducing emissions. The current Tier II engines on new backhoes will soon give way to Tier III engines, which meet more stringent emission requirements that kick in early next year, notes Bob Tyler, with John Deere.
“Like our Tier II engines, our newest backhoe engines will use electronic fuel injection to cut nitrous oxide and particulate matter levels even more,” he says.
Transmissions represent another major advance. “Five years ago, the manual transmission was the mainstay in backhoe loaders,” says Jim Blower, backhoe product manager with JCB. “Now, the power shift trans-mission, with its forward/neutral/ reverse lever and a hand grip that you twist to change gears, is growing in popularity because of its ease of use and increased productivity.”
His company also offers an automatic transmission for applications that involve frequent long haul distances or road operation.
Increased productivity
There’s more to improving lift and dig performance of loader backhoes than simply increasing horsepower, Blower notes. “Contrac-tors always want more power,” he says. “But, having more power doesn’t necessarily mean you can produce any more work. For example, by putting a very small bucket on the loader or backhoe you can get a high power rating.
“But, because the bucket is so small, you won’t improve production. It’s better to think in terms of how much more dirt can I move per hour or per gallon of fuel. That’s where you’ll improve productivity.”
One way John Deere raises productivity is with electronic controllers. “They allow the machine to work in its optimum performance bands, whether we’re talking points on the torque curve, or balancing hydraulic versus power train demands during loader work,” says Tyler.
The optional Comfort Steer feature on Case M Series 2 machines reduces the number of turns of the steering wheel from lock-to-lock from three to one-and-a-half. “This greatly improves productivity when doing loader work, like stock piling, back filling and truck loading,” says Hughes.
Load-sensing hydraulics on Caterpillar E-Series backhoe loaders provide quick implement response and speed as well as high forces at any engine speed for higher productivity, says Joy. Flow-sharing hydraulic valves improve multi-function performance.
Comfort and convenience
Enclosed cabs offer more room, less noise and better visibility than ever. Easier entry and exit, heavy-duty air-conditioning systems, ergonomically-designed controls and air suspension seats add to the creature comforts, reducing fatigue and boosting operator productivity.
Depending on manufacturer, you can buy machines equipped with dipper sticks that extend and retract at the push of a button for more reach when needed; auto-up stabilizers for faster place changes when using the backhoe, a low hood to improve sight lines to the loader bucket, storage compartments for lunch boxes and other gear, and power plug receptacles for cell phones and MP3 players.
When it comes to maintenance, the latest loader backhoes also save time, effort and money with such features as longer service intervals, grouping of daily service points in a convenient location, external sight gauges and replacement of bolt-on access shields with flip-up hoods.
Brand-Specific Features
Here are examples of some of the features that distinguish models offered by four different manufacturers.
Case
The exclusive optional backhoe hydraulic coupler on the Case M Series 2 loader backhoe eliminates getting out of the cab or having a co-worker pound the pins to release or hook up an attachment. Instead, you simply push a button in the cab. “Because this hydraulic coupler is designed as an integral part of the dipper, there’s no loss of breakout force compared to competitive add-on systems,” Hughes says.
The anti-rebound swing of the Pro Control System cushions the boom to minimize overswing, vibration and spillage when stopping suddenly. That means better control and faster cycle times.
Case loader backhoe pilot controls include infinite fore/aft and lateral adjustment. Height-adjustable wrist rests and thumb-operated proportional buttons for the Extendahoe provide relaxed fingertip operation.
Caterpillar
Caterpillar E-Series backhoe loaders can be factory-equipped with the electronic AccuGrade grade and depth check system to improve accuracy and productivity and lower operating costs when using the backhoe. An in-cab display gives the position of the bucket as you dig in relation to a predetermined grade setting.
“It can also be used with the optional AccuGrade laser reference system to accurately grade or excavate to a site plan without using grade stakes,” says Joy. The machines can also be equipped with factory-installed thumbs — an industry first — for handling irregularly-shaped objects more easily.
JCB
The industry’s highest loader lift capacity helps boost the productivity of JCB backhoe loaders, Blower reports. “That, combined with high bucket breakout force, means you can put a much bigger bucket on the front to move more dirt,” he says.
JCB machines also save time when servicing them. “You can reach all daily and regular maintenance points while standing on the ground,” he says. The company’s 15 models include eight in the 14- to 17-foot classes. Three of these combine four-wheel drive with four-wheel steer for improved traction and maneuverability.
John Deere
The John Deere 310SJ and 410J backhoe loaders are available with a Total Machine Control (TMC) option. “It provides the best features of an excavator and four-wheel drive loader into one machine for faster cycle times and best-in-class comfort,” says Tyler.
Armrest-mounted joystick controls eliminate the pilot towers for more comfort and leg room. Three speed modes for the backhoe hydraulics — craning, normal and high production — improve cycle time up to 20 percent over previous machines. A mini-joystick provides simultaneous loader and backhoe operation, eliminating the need to reach for controls.
Whether you use a loader backhoe strictly for septic system jobs or for other applications as well, the latest lineup offers plenty of choices to fit your unique needs.
Greg Northcutt is a freelance writer based in Port Orchard, Wash. He can be reached by e-mailing this publication at editor@onsite installer.com.
