The best replacement for backhoe is excavator.

The best alternatives to backhoe are rated as following:
★★★★★  excavator
★★★★  trackhoe
★★★  skid steer
★★★  mini excavator
★★  front end loader
★  loader
★  shovel
★  tractor
★  bulldozer
★  wheel loader
★  digger
  trencher
  case backhoe
  compact excavator
  terex backhoe

Your alternative for backhoe is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about backhoe, one probably shouldn't forget about jackhammer.

Other search terms related to backhoe and their ratings are:
★★★★★ jackhammer
★★ front end loader
loader
You have in mind a companion for backhoe and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of backhoe in all years. Click on graph for more.
backhoe
excavator
trackhoe