Backhoe

construction · heavy machinery · digging

Two-part arm design. A backhoe has two sections: the boom (long part closest to the tractor) and the dipper (part with the bucket). They bend and twist together like your arm at the elbow and wrist.

Digs backwards. Unlike a shovel that scoops forward, a backhoe bucket pulls dirt and rocks backwards toward the machine. This backwards motion is how it got its name.

Spins and lifts. The boom can rotate left and right about 180 to 200 degrees, almost a complete half circle. It can also raise and lower to reach different spots.

Mounted on tractors. A backhoe usually sits on the back of a tractor or front loader, making it two powerful machines in one. This combo is called a backhoe loader.