What is a Backhoe? Understanding Case Backhoes and Their Uses

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Few machines are as versatile and widely used in construction and earthmoving equipment as the backhoe.

At Luby Equipment Services, we’re proud to offer ase backhoes, which are known for their reliability and performance.

Whether you’re a seasoned contractor or a curious homeowner, understanding what a backhoe is and how it works can help you appreciate its capabilities and determine if it’s the right tool for your project.

CASE 580 Super N Construction King
Luby Equipment Services
Excellent
4.3
Based on 37 reviews
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Excellent resource to service all CASE and Takeuchi machines in the metro area. They can get anything. The staff is always helpful and very knowledgeable.
In and out
Excellent dealership with strong core values!
Purchased a Intimidator tree puller from them. Good price and friendly service team.
Response from the owner: Thank you very much for the 4 star review. We would love to hear how we can improve to a 5 star! If there is anything that you need please feel free to reach out to one of our six construction locations. Thank you again for taking the time to give us a rating.
Roger was a great salesman to deal with.
Response from the owner: Thank you very much for the 5 star review! Roger focuses each and every day to give a world class customer experience. We hope to see you soon. Thank you again for taking the time to give us a review.
Response from the owner: Thank you very much for the 5 star review. We strive to deliver a world class customer experience every time we see you. Thank you again and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Jenny is the best!! She will take care of you!
Response from the owner: Pam, thank you! We are grateful for your 5 star review. Jenny does an excellent job and is very focused at providing a world class customer experience. Thank you again and we look forward to working with you in the future.
My experience was great.. I spoke with Jenny and she was more than a huge help. Very professional, friendly and knowledgeable.
Response from the owner: Thank you, Syretha! We are very grateful for your 5 star review. Jenny does an excellent job and is very focused at providing a world class customer experience. Thank you again and we look forward to working with you in the future.
Good guys good equipment
Response from the owner: Thank you very much for the 5 star review. We appreciate your business and strive to deliver the best equipment and service in the industry. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Response from the owner: Thank you very much for the 5 star rating. We strive to deliver a world class customer experience each and every day. Thank you again and we hope to see you soon.
My husband rented equipment and worked with Josh. He was very respectful and new what he was talking about to help with all my husband's needs and questions. Very pleased and will be using Luby again in the future!
Response from the owner: Thank you very much for your review and rating. We appreciate your business Jenn and we look forward to seeing you soon. Thank you again and we hope you have a great day!
Great place for equipment and mechanics!
Response from the owner: Thank you very much for your review and rating. We appreciate your business and look forward to seeing you soon. Thank you again and we hope you have a great day!
This is a great piece of equipment. Kevin Peeler is very knowledgeable and made the process easy. We actually didn’t meet until he drove on the job site with my Takeuchi TL6. He earned my confidence over the phone.Mnnnmm
Response from the owner: Thank you very much for your review and rating. Luby Equipment and Kevin are focused on delivering a seamless customer experience on every sale. Thank you again and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Jenny was the best, answered questions on several calls that other dealers could not. I live in KC and shopped auctions, dealers nationwide, Facebook market place. Got my best deal on my TL12V2 machine from Luby with extended warranty. Drove to Fenton and picked up machine. Machine was as described and ready to go as promised. Jenny’s friendliness and listening to my wants sold me! Her boss should give her a raise thanks again!
Response from the owner: Thank you very much for the review and 5 star rating. Our goal is to deliver a world class customer experience on every transaction. We are thankful for your business and look forward to seeing you soon.
This was my first experience with Luby Equipment. Jenny Swafford was my sales person. She promptly made a deal with me working out the transportation and all the details. She kept me in the loop every step of the way and gave me many detailed pictures of the piece of equipment. I do many deals in my line of work and I can tell you she is among the best. I would do business again and hope I can. My experience with Lubys has been the best. I could not be happier. Good job Jenny I wish there were more like you doing business would be a much funner experience. Mike.
Response from the owner: Thank you Mike for your review and rating. Our goal is to deliver a world class customer experience each and every day. We appreciate your business and look forward to doing more with you in the future. Thank you again for the kind words and hope you have a wonderful day!
Response from the owner: Thank you so much for giving us a 5 star rating. We strive each and every day to deliver world class customer service. We appreciate your business and look forward to seeing you soon.
I recently purchased 2 machines from Luby Equipment and worked with Jenny Swafford. She was fantastic to work with and I am very pleased with the equipment and how easy Luby was to work with. Highly recommend them to anyone looking to purchase equipment.
Response from the owner: Thank you Steve for giving us a 5 star rating. We are very appreciative of your business and look forward to working with you again.
Response from the owner: Thank you so much for the 5 star review Michael! We strive to reach our customer's highest expectations!
Response from the owner: Thank you very much for rating us. We strive to deliver the best customer experience in the industry. Please let us know if there is anything that we can do to improve.
Response from the owner: Thank you very much giving us a 5 star rating. We are grateful for your business and look forward to seeing you soon.
Response from the owner: Thank you very much for the 5 star rating! Our goal is to give each and every customer the best customer experience in the industry. We look forward to seeing you soon and hope you have a great week. Thank you again for your continued business.
Response from the owner: Thank you very much for rating us. We strive for a 5 star rating from our customers so please let us know how we can improve your experience. Thank you again for rating us and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Response from the owner: Thank you Mike for giving us a 4 star review. Our goal is ensure our customers are happy with the services they receive each and every time they do business with us. If there is anything in particular that we can do better, please let us know. Thank you again for your review and we look forward to doing business with you soon.
Great service and great staff
Response from the owner: Carlos,Thank you very much for rating us! We appreciate it and look forward to doing business with you in the future. Please let us know if there is anything that we can do to improve.
Response from the owner: Thank you very much for rating us. We strive to be the best construction equipment dealer in the area.
Response from the owner: Thank you very much for rating us! We look forward to doing business with you in the near future.
Pricey, but thay are willing to help you with parts and repair, fast if you need
Response from the owner: Thank you for your review Richard! We always appreciate your business!
Response from the owner: Thank you for the review! We appreciate your business!
Great rental store best prices on case A++
Response from the owner: Thank you for your review! We appreciate your business!
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Defining the Backhoe

A backhoe, also known as a backhoe loader, is a versatile piece of heavy equipment that combines the digging capabilities of an excavator with the loading abilities of a front-end loader. The term “backhoe” refers explicitly to the digging arm at the back of the machine, but it’s commonly used to describe the entire vehicle.

Main Components of a Backhoe

  • Tractor Unit: This is the core of the backhoe, housing the engine and operator’s cab.
  • Loader Bucket: Located at the front of the tractor, this wide bucket is used for scooping, lifting, and transporting materials.
  • Backhoe Arm: Situated at the tractor’s rear, this jointed arm consists of a boom, dipper, and bucket. It’s used for digging and precise excavation work.
  • Stabilizer Legs: These extendable legs provide stability during digging operations.
  • Tires: Most backhoes are wheeled, allowing easy transportation between job sites.

Case Backhoes: A Cut Above

At Luby Equipment Services, we specialize in Case backhoes, which are renowned for their power, efficiency, and durability. Case offers a range of models to suit various needs, from the compact N Series to the powerful 580 Super N.

Case backhoes are known for their:

  • PowerBoost feature, which provides a momentary boost of increased hydraulic power
  • Comfort Steer option, reducing steering efforts during repetitive load-and-carry operations
  • Fuel-efficient engines that meet emissions standards without sacrificing power
  • Responsive hydraulics for precise control in delicate operations

How a Backhoe Works

The backhoe’s operation is split between its two main tools:

  • Front Loader: The front bucket is ideal for scooping loose materials, leveling surfaces, or transporting loads over short distances.
  • Backhoe Arm: The rear arm is used for digging trenches, excavating foundations, or breaking up asphalt. The operator can control the depth and angle of the dig with precision.

Depending on the task at hand, the machine’s operator can swivel the seat 180 degrees to face either the front loader or the backhoe arm.

CASE 580N Ep Backhoe Loader

Common Uses for Backhoes

Backhoes, especially versatile models like those from Case, are prized for their multiple applications. Some common uses include:

  • Digging trenches for utilities or drainage
  • Excavating for building foundations
  • Lifting and moving heavy materials
  • Grading and leveling terrain
  • Breaking up asphalt or concrete (with appropriate attachments)
  • Snow removal in winter months
  • Light demolition work

Advantages of Using a Backhoe

Backhoes offer several advantages, making them popular on many job sites. Their versatility is perhaps their most notable feature; with a dual-function design, a backhoe can perform the jobs of multiple machines, reducing the need for additional equipment.

Mobility is another key benefit. Unlike larger excavators, backhoes can be driven on roads, making them easy to transport between job sites. Their compact size complements this mobility, allowing backhoes to operate in tighter spaces than many other types of heavy equipment.

Finally, backhoes are often a cost-effective solution. Their multi-functionality can reduce the need for multiple specialized machines, potentially lowering overall equipment costs for contractors and construction companies.

Choosing the Right Backhoe

When selecting a backhoe, consider factors such as:

  • Size and Power: Backhoes come in various sizes, from compact models suitable for small landscaping jobs to larger machines for heavy construction work.
  • Dig Depth: Different models offer varying maximum dig depths, typically 10 to 16 feet.
  • Attachments: Many backhoes can be fitted with various attachments, such as hammers, augers, or specialized buckets, expanding their versatility.
  • Comfort and Controls: Modern backhoes, especially Case models, often feature ergonomic cabs with intuitive controls, reducing operator fatigue during long work hours.

Maintenance and Care

Like all heavy equipment, backhoes require regular maintenance to perform at their best. This includes:

  • Regular oil and filter changes
  • Greasing of moving parts
  • Tire pressure checks and maintenance
  • Hydraulic system inspections
  • Bucket and attachment inspections for wear and tear

Luby Equipment Services’s certified technicians are highly skilled in maintaining and repairing Case backhoes. We strive to provide top-quality service to help keep your machine in excellent condition.

Safety Considerations

Operating a backhoe requires skill and attention to safety. Some key safety practices include:

  • Always wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Conducting thorough pre-operation inspections
  • Being aware of the machine’s swing radius and potential blind spots
  • Using stabilizer legs when operating the backhoe arm
  • Never exceeding the machine’s rated lift capacity

Backhoes are genuinely the Swiss Army knives of the construction world. Their versatility, mobility, and power make them indispensable on many job sites. Whether digging foundations, grading a driveway, or lifting heavy materials, a backhoe can do the job efficiently and effectively.

Contact Us Today

At Luby Equipment Services, we offer a range of high-quality Case backhoes. Our team of experts can help you choose the right backhoe for your needs, provide training on its operation, and offer ongoing maintenance and support. Whether you’re looking to buy, rent, or service a backhoe, we’re here to help you make the most of this versatile machine.

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