Backhoes and excavators look similar and can do similar jobs but are different in important ways. Typically, excavators are much bigger than backhoes, while mini excavators are around the same size and can do a lot of the same things backhoes can do. Excavators and backhoe loaders both have articulating booms, dippers and buckets, and are used for trench work, construction work and more. Excavators don't have wheels; they run on tracks, which is why they are also known as trackhoes. They have very good traction for slick, muddy sites. Excavators have 360-degree swing rotation, but backhoes only have 180- to 200-degree swing rotation. Learn more about the differences between backhoes and excavators on Project Uptime.