Our team at Eagle Rentals offers a wide range of equipment for sale and for rent. Whatever project you have in mind, you can turn to us to get the machinery and tools you need to make your project a success. One of the most useful tools for landscaping and construction is a backhoe, which allows you to move great quantities of soil in a short time. In this article, we will go over a few tips on how to use backhoes safely.
- Wear Your Seatbelt – Like cars and trucks, backhoes come equipped with seatbelts to help prevent you from becoming injured in the event of a collision. Make sure to always wear your seatbelt when operating a backhoe or other piece of heavy equipment.
- Keep the Backup Alert On – Our second safety tip for operating backhoes is to leave the backup alert engaged. This will help you avoid reversing when you don’t mean to, and it will alert others around you when the machine is going into reverse—that way people behind the backhoe will know to get out of the way.
- Dig at an Angle – When excavating with backhoes, you should always dig at an angle, rather than digging straight down. Creating a gradual slope rather than a sharp drop will help prevent cave-ins, as it ensures most of the weight of the earth is kept away from the edge of the excavation area.
- Keep Spoil Pile Away – Our fourth tip for using backhoes safely also has to do with preventing cave-ins. As you remove dirt from the ground, you should drop it at least three feet away from the excavation area. Keeping the spoil pile away from the excavation will prevent additional weight from piling on the edge of the hole.