This report concerns the European market for backhoe loaders. The backhoe loader was originally developed by modifying agricultural or industrial tractors. They include a front loader bucket and a rear hydraulic excavator arm. The majority has a rigid chassis, although articulated models are available. Engine powers range from under 50 to over 150 horsepower, although more than 70 per cent of the market is represented by 75-110 horsepower machines The vast majority of machines sold in Europe is four-wheel drive.

This Europe-wide report is an update of the study last undertaken by Off-Highway Research in 2019. This initial report replaced a number of previous country-specific Equipment Analyses, with this change in approach reflecting the fact that backhoe loaders enjoy mixed appeal from country to country in Europe, and that this crucial aspect of the market would be best-reflected in a region-wide study. However, care has been taken to preserve the detail and nuance previously available in OffHighway Research’s national reports.