The backhoe loader, or JCB®, was invented by Joseph Cyril Bamford (1916-2001) of Staffordshire, England. In 1945, using only scrap metal, war surplus Jeep axles, and a cheap welding kit, he produced an hydraulically operated tipping trailer that he later sold for £45 ($180 at the time). With the dump truck-like tipping trailer created, Bamford's business grew steadily as he designed and built new machines using hydraulic power. When the backhoe loader was created in 1953, the JCB® logo was used for the first time, based on its inventor's initials.
Typical backhoe loaders are made up of three components: a tractor, a loader, and a backhoe. The tractor enables the backhoe loader to traverse difficult terrain of all sorts. At the front of the tractor, the loader can scoop, smooth, and push great quantities of material. Meanwhile, the back of the tractor sports a backhoe, which is a large maneuverable arm with a deep bucket. The backhoe can dig up material above or below the tractor, lift heavy loads, and—in the wrong hands—cause serious structural damage. The backhoe and the loader are controlled and powered by a complex system of bidirectional hydraulic pistons called hydraulic rams. A diesel engine pumps oil into the backhoe loader's various hydraulic rams to move the backhoe and loader appendages.
JCB® began painting their construction machinery its distinctive yellow and black colors in 1951. The sporty yellow and black backhoe loader is now among the most popular pieces of construction equipment in the world. Since its inception, more than 325,000 JCB backhoe loaders have been sold worldwide.
