A backhoe loader is a piece of heavy construction equipment which actually marries two separate devices: a backhoe and a loader. Many contracting companies use backhoe loaders because they are powerful, efficient, fairly compact, and easier to maintain than two separate devices. Some consumers may be familiar with the sight of a backhoe loader, since the machines are frequently used for roadwork and major construction projects. Several companies dominate the market for backhoe loaders, including Case Equipment, Volvo Equipment, Caterpillar Equipment, and John Deere Equipment.

The core of a backhoe loader is a tractor base. The tractor has wide, rugged wheels and a strong engine, allowing it to muscle its way over a variety of terrain. The tractor also has a cab or covered area for the operator, allowing him or her to work through inclement weather. Inside the cab, two separate sets of controls are used to manipulate the elements of the backhoe loader.

The backhoe portion of the equipment is actually located on the rear end. A backhoe is a type of excavator at the end of a long arm. When the operator manipulates the controls, the backhoe can be used to dig high volumes of material very quickly. Other tools can be attached to this flexible arm, such as tools used to break up concrete. While the backhoe is in use, the backhoe loader is parked and anchored with stabilizer legs, which pull the wheels off the ground and stop the backhoe loader from moving.

The loader section of the equipment is a giant scoop. It can be filled with material for transport elsewhere, or it can be used to smooth and plow roadways. Since transport of materials is often required after their excavation, the backhoe loader conveniently bundles both tasks into one machine. Specialized training is required before someone can run a backhoe loader safely, and a supervisor on site usually ensures that the equipment is being used safely and appropriately.

In the 1940s and 1950s, Case was one of the first companies to realize the potential applications for a backhoe loader, A construction boom after the Second World War led to a rising demand for construction equipment which could do jobs quickly and efficiently. Case backhoes started to come with a loader option as well, and other companies picked up the trend. In many cases, a backhoe loader is the only piece of heavy equipment owned by a small construction company, since it has many uses, especially if different attachments can be used on the backhoe arm.

The Swedish company known for its safe cars and reliable trucks has recently announced that they will be expanding their presence in India. This announcement is not connected to the automobile market but the commercial equipment market. The company is planning to produce construction equipments for sale, and road development machines in India.

The announcement came after the second largest truck and bus manufacturer in the world acquired Ingersoll Rand’s road construction equipment division recently. Volvo acquired the division for $1.3 billion from the diversified industrial firm. The division has an assembly facility in Bangalore, India and this is where Volvo is planning to manufacture their products.

Volvo India Private Limited, announced that the manufacturing facility will be producing Volvo-branded equipments in the near future. Equipments initially pointed out by Volvo to be manufactured at the said facility are excavators and loaders. These equipments will be sold in the Indian market.

Leblanc also pointed out that they are in the process of fusing the operation of the IR division and their own. When the process is completed, it is expected that the manufacturing plant will be producing Volvo-branded equipments.

“We have completed the acquisition transaction globally a month ago and are currently integrating the sales and distribution of road machinery business of IR with Volvo,” “We do intend to use their plant to produce other global construction equipment products in India.”

Leblanc claimed that the presence of an engineering base in India will cut down the price of equipments they are planning to market in the country. The engineering base will also help Volvo increase its presence in India while at the same time giving them a head start in coping with the local employees. The brand Volvo will be used on equipments that will be produced by the Ingersoll Rand manufacturing facility.

“Over the next 12 months we will launch new range of products. We already have road development machines in our portfolio like motor graders which will be further expanded,” This shows Volvo’s dedication to expanding their presence in the Asian country.

Aside from the planned excavators and loaders, Volvo is also thinking about the development and production of heavy road construction equipments and other road making machineries. The expansion of their offering in the Indian market will increase their share of the market. Currently, Volvo has a 13 percent share in the excavator range market. The company has sold 800 machines like excavators, wheel loaders, and graders which amounted to about $100 million. With the increase in production capacity, Volvo looks to produce and sell more equipment such as that in the country resulting to higher profits.

“Right now we don’t have any production capacity for excavators in India. We import excavators from Volvo’s Korean plant and sell in India. We are looking to manufacture excavators in India but as of now no decision has been taken in this regard. There is a potential to make them in India,”It is also expected that Volvo will offer discount Volvo parts for their trucks in India.

The company is expecting that the demand for vehicles that they will produce will increase as the Indian government focus on infrastructure projects. For now, the Swedish company estimates that the road construction equipment market all over the world is worth $4 billion per year.

The new Volvo Rents center, an independently owned and operated franchise, carries a comprehensive line of essential Construction Equipment for sale, commercial and industrial markets, as well as an extensive line of Volvo compact excavators and wheel loaders and backhoe and skid steer loaders.

Equipment, in operation has long been a Volvo construction equipment dealer. “We were attracted to Volvo Rents because we’ve known for years that Volvo stands for quality,”

“Developing a rental business was the next logical step in growing our company here in Rockford. Because we know Volvo’s products so well, it made perfect sense for us to expand our relationship with the brand.” Eric Puebla serves as the store’s operations manager. The store employs a staff of seven; Moser expects to double the staff by the end of the year.

Volvo Rents has 79 equipment rental centers open in North America, 70 centers in Europe (Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Poland, and Austria), and one in its international region (Mexico).

Based in Asheville, N.C., Volvo Rents, a division of Volvo Construction Equipment, the third largest construction equipment manufacturer in the world, operates 79 rental stores in North America, 70 rental stores in Europe and one in Mexico. Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) is a major international company developing, manufacturing and marketing equipment for construction and related industries. Its products, leaders in many world markets, include a comprehensive range of wheel loaders, hydraulic excavators, articulated haulers, motor graders and compact equipment.

Volvo CE is part of the Volvo Group, the world’s largest manufacturer of diesel engines in the 9 to 18 liter category. The Volvo Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses and construction equipment, drive systems for marine and industrial applications, aerospace components and services. The Group also provides complete solutions for financing and related services. Volvo Group is a publicly held company headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden. With 2006 sales of approximately $34 billion, Volvo’s business areas include heavy trucks, buses, construction equipment, marine and industrial drive systems, aerospace and financial services.