I can't recommend one, but after operating both backhoes and excavators in larger sizes here's my observations.

Backhoe:
Rubber tires. Can go across pavement without leaving marks. Can drive down roads. Bucket is very handy for moving dirt and things that require moving the machine at the same time. Backhoe part is good for digging and moving dirt, but is limited because it only has about a 140° of swing. Great for picking up rocks and stumps, then driving the whole machine with them to a different area with them held in the arm.

If you get an extend-a-hoe, you can scrape at an angle easier without having a lot of experience.

Would not have one that was not 4wd. Rubber tires don't tear up the ground when moving like tracked equipment does.

Excavator:
Tracks allow it to go in softer ground than rubber tires without getting stuck.. Can climb/decend steeper grades than backhoe. 360° movement means easier to dig and place dirt away from where you are digging. Slow ground travel speed - impractical to pick up stuff with bucket and move it any distance. Cannot drive on pavement without leaving marks. Tracks mean more ground disturbance when moving machine.


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