In trying to develop my homestead, I have had problem after problem with my backhoe. Granted most of it is because it is a 50 year old machine, but a good deal comes from me not having clue how to operate it.
That’s where Operating Techniques for the Tractor Loader Backhoe come in. The book teaches essential pre-operation checks, vital services, and the basics of how to actually dig and trench with a backhoe.
This book was actually designed to be a textbook so each chapter has tests. It also spends time talking about the one-call system so you won’t disrupt utility lines.
I find this book to be helpful. While not essential, it will save the new backhoe operator a lot of headaches and time wasted with inefficient movements.
It took me a while to get the movements down to use both hands at the same time to dig a flat and smooth trench. If I had this book at the time I would have saved hours in learning a relatively simple, yet unobvious technique.
A backhoe is a very useful tool for those wanting to develop land. It doesn’t move as much land as a bulldozer, but it is more versatile.