A three-point backhoe is a digging attachment for tractors or wheeled excavators with an additional hinge point that allows the arm to be folded and locked behind the driver. It has a different control system with three levers and pedals for movement and stabilizer legs. The backhoe can be locked for travel, but it is not safe for road travel. On a wheeled excavator, the boom arm can be moved along a track for storage.
A three-point backhoe is a digging attachment that can be installed on a tractor and operated directly from the driver’s seat. The term is also used to describe the backhoe arm fitted to wheeled excavators, such as the 3CX model manufactured by Joseph Cyril Bamford Equipment Ltd (JCB) in the United Kingdom (UK). The main difference between a three-point backhoe loader and a standard backhoe loader is the additional hinge point located directly where the boom arm connects to the machine. This third hinge allows the excavator arm to be hydraulically folded and locked in place directly behind the driver, allowing for traditional tractor or wheeled excavator operation.
The method of operation required for a three-point backhoe loader differs from the Society of Automotive Engineers International (SAE) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) control systems commonly found in traditional backhoe loaders. Under SAE and ISO control systems, the backhoe is fully operated with two levers, one for each operator’s hand. Each joystick performs two functions, one in the forward-reverse direction and one in the left-to-right direction.
When operating a three-point backhoe attachment, the movements are controlled by three levers that operate in a forward-reverse direction only. The levers, in order from the operator’s left to right, control vertical bucket rotation, vertical stick movement, and vertical stick movement. Additional levers, typically located on either side of the main control panel, raise and lower the left and right stabilizer legs, respectively. Additionally, there are two pedals that control the horizontal swing of the boom arm, with the left pedal controlling the left swing and the right pedal moving the boom arm in the opposite direction.
By raising the boom arm and pulling the stick arm closest to the operator, the backhoe can be placed in a locked position for travel. This is accomplished by engaging an arm lock lever from the operating position. While this safety feature allows the tractor to be moved with the implement still attached to the machine, it is not particularly safe for road travel. For this reason the tractor three point backhoe hitches are removable and to provide the ability to change attachments.
On a wheeled excavator where the three-point backhoe is permanently attached, the boom arm can also be moved along a track mounted to the rear of the machine. This rail allows you not only to use the backhoe when digging a staggered trench, but also to store the backhoe arm more securely. For example, by moving the backhoe to the far right side of the machine, the boom arm can be rotated fully left and locked into place, fixing the backhoe parallel to the rear of the machine.
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