Tractor Loader Backhoe’s (TLBs) and excavators are both monsters in the earthmoving industry. Although there are many similarities between them, there are more differences. In our line of work, we are often asked which machine is best for the job. In order to help you in making a more informed decision, we are going to focus on three key differences.
1. SIZE
Excavators are large, robust, and heavy machines. They bring brute force and power to the party. The tougher the job, the more this machine will thrive and exceed your expectations. TLBs on the other hand, are smaller. This lack of tonnage is not necessarily a disadvantage. It allows the TLB to be more nimble, agile and versatile. Given this quantum difference in size, the excavator is perfectly suited for demolition projects, drilling shafts, rock blasting, and mining. This is not to say that the excavator is not versatile. This versatility stems from the ability to use different attachments to the dipper arm, such as harvester heads for forestry work and grabs for scrap metal. TLBs, on the other hand, are light and adaptable and better suited to tasks such as medium scale construction and excavation, debris removal, and material loading.
2. VERSATILITY
Both machines can be equipped with a range of attachments. The TLB, however, can perform a wider range of tasks. You can think of it as a jack of all trades, yet master of none. You can also drive your TLB on the public roads, so it’s easier to get a TLB from one jobsite to another. There is no need to use a low bed truck to transport the TLB from site to site, unless the distance is large.
3. ROTATION RANGE
One of the many beauties of an excavator apart from its size and brute strength, is its ability to rotate the machine chassis and arm 360 degrees. This provides a great deal of flexibility to the operator. The TLB on the other hand, is only able to rotate approximately 200 degrees.
What Does A TLB Look Like?
The best way to think of a TLB is as the love child of a tractor, an excavator and a bulldozer (if that was physically possible). The front part looks like a bulldozer with a medal bucket shaped blade for pushing material: soil, sand, rubble, or rock during construction or conversion work. The middle/chassis section looks like a tractor. At the back it looks like an excavator with cylinders, a boom, a dipper arm and a bucket. This back section of the TLB (that looks like the front section of an excavator) can be purposed and fitted with hammers, breakers, rippers, rakes and drills. It is also possible to remove the front section of the TLB (that looks like a bulldozer) and install a plow, broom or forklift.
What Does An Excavator Look Like
The front of the excavator looks like the back of the TLB on steroids. It has a boom, two boom cylinders, a dipper arm and dipper arm cylinder, a bucket cylinder and a bucket. All the DNA of the excavator is geared 100% towards optimizing the utility of this front section. This front section of the machine is heavy. In order to prevent the machine from tipping over, a heavy counterweight is attached to the back. The excavator moves on tracks – either steel or rubber. Rubber tracked excavators, although useful, are ugly machines. The rubber tracks detracts from the hardy ruggedness of the excavator family – they are the ugly cousins.
How Do You Choose Between A Backhoe And An Excavator?
The machine you choose will depend on the job. If the project is a small-to-medium construction job that encompasses multiple projects, the TLB may be the best option. By the same token, you never bring a knife to a gun fight. If you need to demolish a large multi story building, don’t even think about a TLB. Secondly, you need to consider the size of the worksite. If you need to work in confined spaces, have a look at the TLB. Also, if you have multiple work sites that are relatively close to each other, and the work is not too demanding, the TLB once again comes up trumps.
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