Cat^® Backhoe Loaders: Side Shift or
Center Pivot?

1. Increased Reach — With the boom on a slide frame, the machine’s reach is extended from side to side. An operator doesn’t have to move the machine and reposition as much because a side shift backhoe’s reach goes beyond the wheelbase of the vehicle. Young has extensive experience as an operator of backhoe machines, as well as design engineering and machine configuration. He says the side shift design saves time when you’re doing certain jobs like a watermain repair.

   “You have to dig down on either side of that pipe,” explains David. “With a center pivot, you have to jockey the machine on either side of the pipe and re-position it to be able to do that. With a side shift, you can drop it and just slide the back end left and right while the machine stays put.”

2. Close-up Digging — The smaller footprint allows a side shift backhoe to dig close to walls, fences and other obstructions. It’s also easier for side shift backhoes to operate close to trucks for faster truck loading.

3. Visibility — Because the boom moves side to side and can be positioned anywhere along the frame, this gives the person in the cab a clearer view of the bucket. With a center pivot backhoe, the bucket is directly in the line of sight.

4. Better Roading — The back end of a side shift backhoe can be folded up and in, keeping the weight close to the center. That design improves ride quality. The tail of the center pivot backhoe hangs out and extends behind the machine, making it less stable and more difficult to maneuver in tight spaces.

   “Imagine buzzing around a city street,” says David. “The side shift is a much better machine when it comes to roading. You get a dimensional advantage and a ride-quality advantage.”

The best machine is the one that best fits your specific application. To find out which backhoe loader is right for you, contact your Cat dealer and check out your financing options.