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Volvo BM 646 Backhoe loaders tech specs

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Interior [2]
Exterior [4]
Attachments [2]
1977-1981
4.3 m Backhoe digging depth
96.14 liter Fuel cap
63.01 kw Gross power
299.09 Nm Max torque
9,750 kg Operating weight
8.08 m Overall Length
Show features

Makana rating

Owner rating

| 3

Market average

AED 120,000

Starting from

AED 70,000

Volvo BM 646 Technical specifications

Engine

Alternator supplied amperage

43 Amh

Displacement

4200.01 cu cm

Gross power

63.01 kw

Max torque

299.09 Nm

Number of cylinders

4

Backhoe

Backhoe digging depth

4.3 m

Backhoe reach from swivel

5.85 m

Loader

Breakout force

3900.9 kg

Loader dump height

3.11 m

Loader dump reach

0.55 m

Service refill capacities

Cooling fluid cap

16.28 liter

Fuel cap

96.14 liter

Hydraulic fluid cap

190.01 liter

Transmission fluid cap

22.33 liter

General

Engine model

BM TD 42

Max speed forward

29.77 kph

Operating voltage

24 V

Operating weight

9,750 kg

Transmission type

hydromechanical gearbox with power shift

Refill capacities

Engine oil cap

10.6 liter

Tires

Front tires size (2WD)

14.9-24/14

Rear tires size

18.4-34/14

Dimensions

Ground clearance

0.43 m

Height - top of cab

2.87 m

Overall Length

8.08 m

Wheelbase

2.56 m

Transmission

Max speed reverse

29.77 kph

Number of forward gears

4

Number of reverse gears

4

Hydraulic system

Pump flow cap

113.17 lpm

Pump type

Gear pump

Relief valve pressure

169.95 bar

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Volvo BM 646 expert review

Reviewed by Hussain E. on March 10, 2026

Overview

The Volvo BM 646 (1977–1981) is a heavy-duty backhoe loader designed for durability and mechanical reliability. It delivers 63.01 kilowatt engine power and a 4.3 m digging depth, making it suitable for excavation and general construction work.

Expert rating: 3 stars

Pros Durable mechanical design with dependable excavation capability.
Cons Outdated hydraulics and basic operator comfort.

Performance & Efficiency

The Volvo BM TD 42 engine produces 63.01 kilowatt and around 299 Nm of torque, delivering reliable digging and loading performance for construction tasks.

In Comparison

Volvo BM 6300: Larger machine with stronger loader performance.
Volvo BM 616B: Lighter machine with similar mechanical design.
Volvo BM 646: Balanced option with solid digging reach.

Final Verdict

Rated 3 stars, the Volvo BM 646 remains a durable classic backhoe loader within the AED 70,000–120,000 range.

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Volvo BM 646 owner rating

Volvo BM 646 Backhoe loaders [1977-1981]

1977-1981

Overall rating

Based on 3 ratings

4.0
performance

4.0

comfort

4.3

fuel efficiency

4.0

safety

4.3

features

4.0

5 stars

0 %

4 stars

100 %

3 stars

0 %

2 stars

0 %

1 stars

0 %

Pros
Very durable mechanical design with reliable digging performance.
Cons
Slower hydraulics compared with modern backhoe loaders.
performance

4.0

comfort

5.0

fuel efficiency

4.0

safety

4.0

features

4.0

Read more

Valuation

Last 12 month
1977

Volvo BM 646 similar models

Highlight differences
Volvo BM 646
BM 646
Volvo BM 6300
BM 6300
Engine
Alternator supplied amperage 43 Amh
Alternator supplied amperage 60 Amh
Displacement 4,200.01 cu cm
Displacement 4,480.23 cu cm
Gross power 63.01 kw
Gross power 84.04 kw
Max torque 299.09 Nm
Max torque 425.04 Nm
Number of cylinders 4
Number of cylinders -
Aspiration -
Aspiration Turbocharged
Net power -
Net power 78 kw
Power measured @ -
Power measured @ 2,000 rpm
Torque measured @ -
Torque measured @ 1,400 rpm
Years 1977-1981
Years 1984-1992
Market Average AED 120,000
Market Average AED 140,000
Price AED 70,000
Price AED 80,000
Backhoe
Backhoe digging depth 4.3 m
Backhoe digging depth 4.63 m
Backhoe reach from swivel 5.85 m
Backhoe reach from swivel 6.37 m
Loader
Breakout force 3,900.9 kg
Breakout force 7,330.06 kg
Loader dump height 3.11 m
Loader dump height 2.83 m
Loader dump reach 0.55 m
Loader dump reach 0.88 m
Loader digging depth -
Loader digging depth 74.17 cm
Service refill capacities
Cooling fluid cap 16.28 liter
Cooling fluid cap 27.25 liter
Fuel cap 96.14 liter
Fuel cap 195.31 liter
Hydraulic fluid cap 190.01 liter
Hydraulic fluid cap 206.28 liter
Transmission fluid cap 22.33 liter
Transmission fluid cap 27.25 liter
Front axle fluid capacity -
Front axle fluid capacity 26.12 liter
Rear axle fluid capacity -
Rear axle fluid capacity 22.71 liter
General
Engine model BM TD 42
Engine model BM TD 45 B
Max speed forward 29.77 kph
Max speed forward 44.1 kph
Operating voltage 24 V
Operating voltage 24 V
Operating weight 9,750 kg
Operating weight 10,800 kg
Transmission type hydromechanical gearbox with power shift
Transmission type Volvo BM HT 90 automatic powershift
Bucket capacity -
Bucket capacity 1.45 cu m
Bucket width -
Bucket width 250 cm
Refill capacities
Engine oil cap 10.6 liter
Engine oil cap 12.11 liter
Tires
Front tires size (2WD) 14.9-24/14
Front tires size (2WD) 18.4-30/14 SGL
Rear tires size 18.4-34/14
Rear tires size 18.4-30/14 SGL
Dimensions
Ground clearance 0.43 m
Ground clearance 0.49 m
Height - top of cab 2.87 m
Height - top of cab 3.11 m
Overall Length 8.08 m
Overall Length 8.11 m
Wheelbase 2.56 m
Wheelbase 2.53 m
Overall Width -
Overall Width 2.53 m
Turning radius -
Turning radius 2.59 m
Transmission
Max speed reverse 29.77 kph
Max speed reverse 25.59 kph
Number of forward gears 4
Number of forward gears 4
Number of reverse gears 4
Number of reverse gears 3
Hydraulic system
Pump flow cap 113.17 lpm
Pump flow cap 170.33 lpm
Pump type Gear pump
Pump type two axial flow piston pump
Relief valve pressure 169.95 bar
Relief valve pressure 224.97 bar
Attachments
Bucket digging force -
Bucket digging force 3,120.72 kg
Operating specifications
Extended backhoe digging depth -
Extended backhoe digging depth 5.67 m
Extended backhoe reach from swivel -
Extended backhoe reach from swivel 7.35 m

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build datetime: 3/24/2026, 10:02:06 AM