The size of the backhoe you need depends largely on the size of the job you’re doing. You’ll want to choose a backhoe with enough horsepower to complete your task and the capacity to dig as deep as you need to go. Mini backhoes are good for small jobs, while standard backhoes work for medium-sized tasks. Most standard backhoes can dig to 14 feet deep and have lift capacities ranging from 5,500 to 8,200 pounds. Most buckets range from 12 to 36 inches. Larger buckets can be better suited to large-scale projects if you need to carry more or heavier materials.