How to manage and move a backhoe loader?

Answer 1

You have seen construction sites or documentaries which use big and heavy weight tractors to move and transfer tons of sand, stone and rubble- and the most common one that they often use is the backhoe loader. Yes, a backhoe loader may sound complicated, but the name simply implies a tractor with loaders on both the front and the back area. These two loaders are the hands of the loader, which scoops and drops the objects as controlled by the controller.

As a result, the controller must be very much aware on how to manage and move the backhoe loader safely and effectively.

1. Check the premises of the loader; be sure that there is no one, nothing or anything that might come in the way. Be very cautious on this matter, as the loader is huge and there will be no turning back once it hits or goes over something.

2. Climb up to the controllers area, this may be located a bit higher than usual control areas so be careful when climbing up. When up, secure yourself on the seat, you can freely move the chair to the steering wheels and the buttons so you will be more comfortable in manipulating the entire thing.

3. Key in the ignition and allow the engine to heat up for some time if the backhoe was not used for long. Heating up would take a little more or less than 10 minutes; this will depend on the controller’s discretion.

4. While the engine is still being heated up, you can try to look around and get to know the different control buttons on the loader. Check for the brake pedal, the accelerator, the gearshift and all the maneuvers that you can perform on the loader. Make sure that all is working and in good condition.

5. When manipulating the boom and the bucket, be sure that the bucket is coiled inward facing the backhoe. The longer stick is used to control both the boom and the bucket, while the shorter stick on the control is what you have to use when raising and lowering the stabilizers. Be sure to raise the stabilizers before you move the backhoe.

6. Lift the loading bucket located on the front but don’t move it too high that it disrupts your view. Move it just enough that it does not touch the ground and not go too high. After which you can drop the locking pin in the front bucket.

7. If you wish to move your backhoe at this point, you can step on the gas pedal and manipulate the gears and shifts to get where you want it to be located.