Back actor
A back actor (backactor or sometimes backacter) is a type of earth moving plant used on construction sites to place and transport excavated soil. It is sometimes referred to as a backhoe, backhoe loader or rear actor, and may also be informally referred to as a JCB. This abbreviation comes from the initials of Joseph Cyril Bamford, the founder of the Joseph Cyril Bamford Excavators Ltd. company. Other brands exist.
Back actors are fitted with a shovel (or dipper) for digging. This shovel is fixed to the back of the tractor by way of a two-part digging arm referred to as a boom and bucket arm or a dipper arm. This mechanism allows the dipper to move with a great deal of flexibility.
Backactors can be fitted with different attachments for tasks such as boring, digging, excavation and loading. They can also be used for minor demolition, powering building equipment, breaking asphalt and transporting light building materials.
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