The Investment in infrastructure by the Indian government is expected to push the demand for backhoe loaders in India. With over 35% y-o-y increase in capex and a proposed infrastructure spend of over Rs 10 lakh crore in Budget 2022-23, the Union government has reinforced its commitment to using infrastructure as a force multiplier for sustained economic growth. National Highways network is proposed to be expanded by 25,000 km during the year, which is nearly double that of the maximum achieved in any of the last 5 years. There are also initiatives underway to reform procedures and policies around infrastructure investment which should stimulate the sector further, as should new funding initiatives. Few primary factors are driving the backhoe loader demand in the Indian market. The backhoe loader manufacturers are excited about infrastructure development. Moreover, increasing initiatives by the government, increasing urbanization. There is also demand with construction activities resuming in infra projects such as rural housing, and roads. The backhoes with new attachments are finding application in irrigation and watershed developments too.
The Construction Industry in India is entering a sustained demand phase, there is a momentum for introducing next generation machines designed, developed, and manufactured in India.As entailed during Excon 2021, construction equipment manufacturers are focused on providing Right products for the Right customers by offering products equipped with varied features, and lower fuel consumption that offers more economical operating costs to the customers. The ongoing push for infrastructure projects is expected to continue to increase the demand for stable, safer, advanced tech equipment and more productive solutions. In the Backhoe segment manufacturers are coming up with models as per CEV Stage IV emission regulation. With the fuel prices continuously growing up and our surroundings increasingly being adversely affected by the amount of pollution that is generated by heavy Construction Equipment (CE) like Backhoe Loaders (BHLs), opting for environment-friendly and fuel-efficient machines is the need of the hour. The backhoe loader manufacturers have taken up this task sincerely. Now, they are increasingly targeting to make BHLs that emit far lesser amounts of smoke and offer great fuel efficiency. The manufacturers are focused on improving the engine capacity and higher torque along with a banana boom which dictates the machine’s maximum digging height, maximum dump height, and fuel efficiency. Backhoe loader manufacturers aligned with the government of India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Made in India’ campaigns and are working extensively in increasing their focus on localising the product range.
Manufacturers Focusing on Backhoe Loaders Feature Advancements
Backhoe loader with Electro-Hydraulics variable displacement pump
New Series loader backhoes features a cutting-edge Electro-Hydraulics variable displacement pump that deliver exceptional productivity in all applications without any compromise. The engine new generation variable displacement pump is optimised with hydraulic oil flow according to the load improves fuel consumption, resulting in significant savings. It also offers faster cycle time compared to a gear pump, thereby improving productivity on site. The models come with specially designed buckets made of special steel with hard faced stiffener plates and hardox side cutting blade material for cutting into hard strata. Its heavy-duty structure fabricated out of high tensile steel, better dump height & ground reach, a higher backhoe bucket capacity, and higher bucket breakout forces & loader arm break.
Backhoe loader with S boom for better reach on the ground
Latest range of backhoes features an S-shaped boom that offers better reach on ground as well as on high body trucks, better transport height, and uninterrupted visibility. The Loader Backhoe, a spacious cabin with ergonomically located controls provides a comfortable operator environment. The modern information cluster layout bristles with features such as the 12V power socket, electrical side shift lock, and Audio–visual alert system, keeping operator safety, comfort and convenience at the core. The machine offers three working modes – ECO, STANDARD and POWER. The ECO mode delivers best fuel efficiency with a working reach of up to 22% as compared to EX series and lower maintenance cost of up to 12%, as compared to its counterparts. The STANDARD mode gives a perfect balance of fuel efficiency and productivity. The POWER mode offers increased productivity. With the acclaimed CARRARO axle and transmission, the new model is capable of handling loads up to 10 tons, ensuring better operations in any condition and reliability even in the toughest application.
Backhoe loader to reduce fuel wastage and improve efficiency
Backhoe loader now features Auto Idle and Auto stop to help reduce fuel wastage and improve efficiency. Additionally, a high torque of 400 Nm and three Excavation Modes for different site conditions – Eco, Standard and Plus enhance the machine’s adaptability to meet output needs. The new generation machine is powered by the ecoMAX engine which is a purpose built in house 76 hp engine which is big on fuel savings and high on performance with 16 valve effort. The new Backhoe Loader range is powered by CEV Stage IV engine, and comes with well-proven CRDI technology, a Waste-Gate Turbocharger & a Two-Stage cooling EGR system. A unique feature of this engine is that it has a state-of-the-art combustion system that eliminates the need for any After-treatment, DOC (Diesel Oxidation Catalyst) or a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter). This engine also has no deration at higher altitudes thus greatly benefiting users in mountainous terrain. The Hydraulic oil change period is now extended from 2,000 hrs to 4,000 hrs and Hydraulic oil quantity reduced by 20 litres. This results in a 15% lesser cost of periodic maintenance, significantly improving the Total Cost of ownership. Additionally, a New Digital display with a Trip meter, an SOS switch, Guide me home lights improve the ease of operation and Safety of the Operator. The ‘Intelli Diagnostic’ system for Service Engineers helps in faster machine diagnostics and ensures higher productivity.
Backhoe loader with Speed-sensing power control
Speed-controlled diesel engines are commonly used in backhoe loaders; engine speed drops by the load applied to it. A speed-sensing steering system relies on a series of sensors and modules to provide it with information that will help it determine the amount of power assistance to give to the steering wheel. For instance, these sensors will detect whenever you step on the gas pedal and cause the acceleration of your vehicle to increase. As the speed goes up, the sensors will feed this information to the speed-sensing steering system. The system will then reduce the power assistance to the steering wheel. If you apply the brake and slow down the vehicle, the system will receive this information too.
Backhoe loader with Ergonomic cab comfort
Latest models of backhoe features ergonomic comfort features such as multi-adjustable seats, steering columns and ergonomically placed controls. Increased interior space, cab ventilation through 13 vents and an AC option provide an operator-friendly environment. Excellent all-around visibility has been enhanced with more glass surfaces, narrow pillars and a sloping hood. There is also an optional Deluxe Cab in a few models that features a steering wheel with both height and extension adjustments. The cab features more room around the seat, making turning and position change from loader to excavator quicker and easier.
Backhoe loaders for multi-tasking across projects
The latest models are used for multitasking in small, medium and bigger projects. Backhoes now come equipped with an advanced joystick operation, and ensures higher productivity with quick excavation cycle time and higher digging force and loading capability. With a big spacious cabin that allows easy access and an ergonomically designed cluster for better accessibility, it provides enhanced operator comfort. It also comes with a unique REMOTECARE ™ feature enabling its owner to keep track of the machine’s operating status using a mobile phone. It is also available with hammer attachments. The style boom of the equipment model has better reach over obstacles and assists in easy and smooth loading of high body trucks. Boom-stick-bucket is this equipment designed with perfect geometry which aids well for digging.
Backhoe loaders with Dig depths and enhanced operating capacities
Backhoe loaders with better dig depths, breakout forces and operating capacities are in demand due to hard terrain in India. The backhoe provides a 4,3 m dig depth and 59 kN of bucket dig force. The narrow, S-style boom provides excellent visibility and load capacity to simplify digging and loading operations. For safe roading, the boom can be hydraulically locked and there’s a locking. It has optional features like an extendible dipper. And because operators are as diverse as the jobs, the equipment model offers added versatility and comfort with the choice of excavator or backhoe control patterns. It is also equipped with a proven The turbo diesel engine capable of delivering high power and torque at low revs with low fuel consumption. The machine’s Powershuttle gearbox features four fully synchronised gears and electro-hydraulic switching between forward and reverse. Backhoe’s boom has a closed box welded construction with fewer components and fewer welds for superior strength.
Backhoe loaders with high torque
The BS-IV range of Backhoe Loaders is enhanced both in terms of productivity and features. Powered with a reliable 74 HP CRi Mahindra Engine, it now has 13% higher torque compared to BSIII leading to improved machine loader efficiency. An improved hydraulic system that has a higher flow handling capacity, and other improvements lead to overall production capacities improvement of 10%. With quintessential and unique features as Banana Boom, joystick lever, robust design, and bigger buckets, The model is well suited for all types of backhoe applications be it mining, trenching, crushers, building construction or any other work in the construction industry. Modern backhoe loaders also come with ergonomic comfort features such as multi-adjustable seats, steering columns and ergonomically placed controls. Work lights are also mounted as standard on the roof of the cab and are highly adjustable, enabling the complete illumination of the worksite. Modern backhoe loaders come with lots of personal storage space options including 2 lockable compartments, one of which is cooled if the machine is equipped with AC. Also 5 storage trays, a net pocket, roof shelves, cup holders and a phone holder.
Conclusion
Backhoe loaders have always had high demand owing to their versatility. It is a multipurpose machine fitted with a loader and a backhoe attachment which makes it suitable for various applications. Manufacturers today are boosting the technology of their backhoes, adding sophisticated machine control and telematics systems to them. Backhoe loaders are one the most popular CE in India because they can be used for multiple purposes and can easily travel on roads. Backhoe loader manufacturers such as JCB India, Case India, Cat India, Escorts Construction Equipment, LiugongIndia, Mahindra Construction equipment, Action Construction Equipment India, Tata Hitachi are focusing on the need and demand of the market and therefore are focusing on manufacturing high-quality machines with advanced features. Some of the main focus points of manufacturers are smart telematics systems, fuel efficiency and operator safety The new generation of backhoe loader models are intended to increase uptime and productivity with lower operating costs.
Analysis of Backhoe Loaders
Manufacturers Focusing on Backhoe Loaders Feature Advancements
Backhoe loader with Electro-Hydraulics variable displacement pump
Backhoe loader with S boom for better reach on the ground
Backhoe loader to reduce fuel wastage and improve efficiency
Backhoe loader with Speed-sensing power control
Backhoe loader with Ergonomic cab comfort
Backhoe loaders for multi-tasking across projects
Backhoe loaders with Dig depths and enhanced operating capacities
Backhoe loaders with high torque