This is an unfinished project. I originally set out to design a backoe digging simulation. I've finished the backhoe part, but the digging part isn't going quite so well. The backhoe part is kinda fun to play with though so I decided to go ahead and put it online.

There are no rules, no scoring, and no goal to achieve. All you can do is play with the backhoe. Well, there is one thing you can try to do. You can try to trace the outline of the sample hole with the tooth on the end of the bucket. It's not as easy as it sounds.

This is a "wobble stick" type backhoe. In the real world, you would have two joysticks for controls. The sticks are displayed in the game, but you can't use them to control the backhoe. Since this is a flash game, you have to use the keys.

The right stick is controlled using the arrow keys. The left stick uses A and Z. In the real world, the left stick would also move left and right causing the boom to swing left and right. Since this is a 2D simulation, that control wasn't needed. Each control moves one of the three cylinders in or out. You can see which cylinder does what by looking at the control panel under the joysticks.

One thing that is the same as the real world is the fact that you can move all three cylinders at the same time. This is essential when actually digging. However, since you are using keys instead of sticks, you only have on and off controls. On the real thing, they would be proportional controls (the farther you move the stick, the faster the cylinder moves).

There is one more control I threw in there for testing, but it is useful when trying to trace the hole. That control is the spacebar. Hitting it toggles drawing on the screen by the tooth. What I didn't add though was a way to clear the drawing. But, you can do that by simply refreshing the page.

As time allows, I will be giving some more thought to the digging part. If I ever get it working, then I can make a game out of it by having you dig a hole of a given shape as quickly as possible. For now, have fun with the backhoe.

Enjoy!