7 Costly Mistakes People Make When They Lease Backhoes in BC

1. Leasing the Wrong Machine for the Job

Every week, someone calls us saying, “I need to lease a backhoe in BC ASAP,” assuming it’s the only option. But backhoes are a compromise—they dig, lift, and move, but they rarely excel at any one thing.

In fact, if your job involves:

• Material handling

• Pallet lifting

• Extended reach

• Working in tight urban spaces

• Precision loads at height

...a Merlo telehandler might outperform a traditional backhoe every time.

At Westpeak Equipment, we’ve had countless clients swap their backhoe rental halfway through a job for a Merlo—saving time, money, and sanity.

2. Ignoring Total Operating Cost (Not Just the Lease Rate)

When people lease backhoes in BC, they tend to compare daily, weekly, or monthly lease rates side by side. What they don’t compare?

• Fuel consumption

• Travel time across the site

• Safety-related downtime

• Damage due to poor visibility or imprecise digging

Backhoes are jack-of-all-trades—but masters of none. And when you’re burning diesel to move pallets 300 feet? That’s money on fire.

Merlo Advantage: Our Merlo Roto 50.35s feature high-efficiency engines, precision hydraulic systems, and 360° rotation. They’re designed to do more in fewer moves, with fewer people—and fewer mistakes.

Talk to our team to run a total cost comparison before you lease anything.

3. Leasing a Backhoe with No Site Access Strategy

Backhoes are big. And when you’re working in tight spaces (like most jobsites in BC’s lower mainland), that bulky size becomes a problem—fast.

Many backhoes are:

• Hard to transport

• Struggle with tight turns

• Lack finesse in dense residential areas

Merlo Advantage: Our Merlo machines are made for BC’s terrain. Need to fit through narrow gates, avoid soft lawns, or work on a slope? Merlo’s compact design, superior balance, and tight turning radius give you access without compromise.

If you’re working in Vancouver, Kelowna, Kamloops, or rural BC, don’t lease a backhoe without talking to Westpeak first.

4. Underestimating What Telehandlers Can Actually Do

Backhoes have been around for decades—but so has the misunderstanding that they’re irreplaceable. Truth is, many contractors lease backhoes in BC simply because that’s what they’ve always done.

But modern telehandlers like the Merlo Roto 50.35 offer:

• 111’ lift height

• 11,000 lb capacity

• Pallet fork, bucket, and man basket attachments

• 360° turret-style boom

• Enclosed climate-controlled cab

It’s not a forklift. It’s not a crane. It’s a multi-tool on steroids.

And yes, it can dig with the right attachment.

5. Leasing from a Vendor That Doesn’t Know Construction

Let’s be real—some companies that lease backhoes in BC will rent you whatever’s on the lot. Whether it fits your job or not.

At Westpeak Equipment, we don’t just rent. We consult.

We’ll ask:

• What’s your terrain like?

• What materials are you lifting?

• Do you need a man basket or pallet forks?

• How high are you working?

• Do you need road delivery and operator training?

That’s not sales—that’s smart business.

Call us once and you’ll never Google “lease backhoes BC” again.

6. Overlooking Safety and Operator Comfort

Backhoes are rear-heavy. They require constant counterweight balance, and visibility while lifting is not their strong suit.

Inexperienced operators often:

• Swing loads too fast

• Misjudge distances

• Struggle with bucket-to-ground visibility

• Get fatigued from poor ergonomics

  
  

Merlo Advantage: Merlo’s boom is mounted off-center for enhanced visibility, with joystick controls, ergonomic seating, and full climate control inside the cab. It’s not just safer—it’s smarter.

Safety isn’t optional. If you’re leasing equipment in BC, you need a machine your crew wants to operate.

7. Missing Out on Modern Attachments and Efficiency

Lease a backhoe in BC and you get… a backhoe.

Lease a Merlo from Westpeak, and you get access to:

• Buckets

• Pallet forks

• Crane jibs

• Man baskets

• Winches

• Material clamps

All with fast swap compatibility, delivery, and certification support.

FAQ: Before You Lease Backhoes in BC

Q: Is leasing better than renting? A: Leasing works for long-term use with predictable costs, but most BC contractors prefer flexible rentals. Westpeak offers both.

Q: Can a Merlo telehandler replace a backhoe? A: In many jobs—yes. Especially when the digging requirement is minimal, and material movement or lift height matters more.

Q: What does it cost to lease backhoes in BC? A: It varies. Expect $2,500–$5,000/month depending on size, brand, and lease term. Merlo rentals from Westpeak are cost-competitive when you factor in efficiency, fuel savings, and reduced labor.

Q: Do I need special training to operate a Merlo telehandler? A: Basic telehandler training is required. We’ll help you get certified or provide qualified operators with the rental if needed.

Final Word: Don’t Lease a Dinosaur in 2025

If you’re still looking to lease backhoes in BC, ask yourself: Is it because it’s the best choice—or just the default?

Merlo telehandlers offer power, reach, comfort, and safety modern job sites demand. And at Westpeak Equipment, we make it simple to rent smarter.

• Flexible weekly/monthly rates 

• Delivery across BC 

• Operator support 

• Full walk-through and attachment training 

• Clean, certified, and jobsite-ready machines

Stop settling Contact Westpeak today and lease a solution, not just a machine.