We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Machinery

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is a Trackhoe?

By Ray Hawk
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 15,748
Share

A trackhoe is a type of excavator used in heavy construction that is built upon a pair of rotating tracks similar to what army tanks use. The name comes from the machine being similar to the backhoe in the UK. Using a trackhoe in construction is often done to finalize the demolishing of a building after a wrecking ball has knocked down the bulk of its walls and structure. The trackhoe has an articulated arm with a large bucket on the end, which is used to break apart concrete and other debris, pick it up, and deposit it in a dump truck or other location to be carried off-site. They are also used as the excavator name suggests — to dig up the ground around a foundation and prepare it for new construction.

Trackhoe machines come in a range of sizes, with the smallest models being called mini-excavators or compact excavators. A similar type of miniature version of an excavator usually built on wheels instead of tracks is the American made bobcat, or skid loader. It is often used in confined spaces where a trackhoe would be too awkward or too heavy to do the job. Trackhoes are also generally referred to as diggers or a "360" when they are capable of turning 360° on their axis. If a similar machine has wheels at its base instead of tracks, it is referred to as a "rubber duck" in UK construction terminology or a "Yumbo" in Japan.

The trackhoe is a common machine seen on construction sites during the early phase of preparing the land for building, but they are also used in a variety of other industries. They have applications in demolitions and mining, as well as finishing work around buildings such as landscaping. Their ability to turn completely on their axis and lift heavy loads also makes them useful where heavy pipe is being laid or if rivers or other waterways need dredging.

The heaviest trackhoe construction equipment weighs in at 85 tonnes, and requires a firm foundation on which to operate. Even moderately-sized machines, however, can be difficult to operate, as there are many safety precautions that must be followed. They are also machines that are used for a diversity of tasks, so operating a trackhoe requires someone with a familiarity in many types of outdoor construction and mechanical engineering environments. The Occupational Outlook Handbook for the United States listed 75,700 US jobs in the excavating machine field as of 2008, with projections that the overall outlook in material moving would decline by 1% between then and the year 2018.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-is-a-trackhoe.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.