There have only ever been a few Technic
backhoes and the oldest two are functional marvels, among the most
complex of any
Technic models. The newer two are smaller and only slightly less
full featured. The list of features is basically the same,
but the means of accomplishing those functions is quite
different. One does almost everything
with pneumatics and uses 10 pneumatic cylinders, another uses only 3
pneumatic cylinders and does
everything else with gear systems, and yet another uses mini mechanical
linear actuators. All feature raising and
dumping buckets, functional excavators including slewing, outriggers,
and steering.
One obvious point of similarity is that every single backhoe has been
yellow. This is a common color in many Technic heavy equipment
models, although there are some exceptions in
excavators.
It is impossible to pick a favorite here. For sheer pneumatic
glory,
8455 has no rival among any Technic
set. But
8862 is even bigger and the
gear systems are wonderful.
