Choose the Right Excavator Bucket

An excavator is an integral piece of heavy equipment for any job site. It is commonly used for loading, transporting, and other earth-moving tasks. With a variety of sizes and types, an excavator can have attachments that increase its functionality. With that out of the way, it’s time to learn more about excavator buckets.

An excavator bucket is an attachment to the front of the excavator and it is connected to the arm of the equipment operated via controls in the cabin. Your choice of excavation buckets should be based on what your project needs. Depending on the type of attachment, your business can leverage its various advantages.

The following are some of the benefits when your business utilizes the right buckets for excavators:

1. Productivity – Having the right equipment enables your business to do more in less time and help your team complete their tasks on time. It will also give your crew more time to execute other tasks without compromising quality
2. Operating Cost – Your equipment will need less maintenance if you use it properly. With the right attachment, your business can cut back on maintenance costs and save more fuel.
3. Safety – Using the correct tools helps the excavator operator account for the width and capacity of the bucket. It ensures that your job site is a safe working environment.

Choosing the most suitable excavator bucket can be difficult and there are a lot of factors you should consider, but we’re here to help you out with that!

How to Choose an Excavator Bucket

Here’s a guide on how to choose an excavator bucket:

• Know the Right Size
• Know the Right Type
• Determine the Best Quality
• Consider Customization and Attachment Options

Know the Right Size

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing an excavator bucket is its size. You have to decide which excavator bucket sizes are appropriate for your projects.

These are some considerations you should keep in mind:

• Excavator Specifications
• Material Classification and Density
• Hauler and Truck Capacity
• Application

Excavator Specifications

The configuration, size, desired reach, and other specifications determine which excavator bucket you should use. A 10-ton excavator cannot handle the same bucket as a 25-ton machine does. You need to choose a bucket that perfectly fits your excavator.

To help you choose, you can check out this excavator bucket size chart:

Material Classification and Density

The material and its density determine how much you can pick up. Dense materials may weigh down a big bucket, affecting your productivity. Meanwhile, using a smaller bucket for light materials can be too time-consuming.

Hauler/ Truck Capacity

To be more productive, you need to match the excavator bucket with the capacity of its partner hauler or truck. The size of your excavator bucket should be able to hold enough to fill up the truck/hauler in the least amount of time. But it should do so without compromising your equipment.

Application

Your excavator bucket’s size should match how it’s used. You should maximize your bucket size as much as possible. This is why it is important to know the capacity of your bucket to have a more efficient output.

Know the Right Type

This section expands on the application. It discusses the types of excavator buckets and what each is used for.

Excavator buckets have different types depending on their use. For instance, an excavator bucket can specialize in laying pipes while another works best for landscaping. Using the correct one will help your team work faster and more efficiently.

That being said, what are the different types of excavator buckets? Listed below are the most common ones:

General Purpose Bucket

The standard bucket attached to excavators, the general purpose bucket is also considered the most versatile. Also known as the “digging bucket,” this is what you receive when you rent an excavator without specifying the type of bucket. It’s great for digging, cleaning up, and even loading. With its short, blunt teeth, it can be used for different types of soil. You can use a general purpose bucket to handle these materials:

• Mixed gravel
• Loam
• Sand
• Dirt
• Clay
• Silt
• Topsoil

Heavy Duty Bucket

It is usually made from high-quality aberration-resistant steel. It is also heavier and tougher than general purpose buckets and is usually used for excavation.This bucket can withstand high-impact forces and resist aberration. Its durability makes it suitable for high-density and heavy materials. It can be used for most heavy materials such as:

• Limestone
• Basalt
• Sharp rocks
• Shale
• Hard-packed clay
• Stone
• Sandstone

Grading Bucket

Wider than the other buckets, it has smooth edges and a flat surface without teeth. It’s best used for digging soft materials and doing landscape work. It is also useful for the following:

• Road construction
• Utility work
• Slope shaping
• Ditch maintenance

Angle Tilt Bucket

Also called the tilting bucket, it can tilt 45 degrees both ways. It is used in the same way as grading buckets, but its tilting feature allows for more precise angles. It’s great for the following applications:

• Sloping
• Trenching
• Ditch cleaning
• Digging hard-to-reach areas
• Land clearing
• Landscaping
• Grading

Trenching Bucket

Same as grading buckets, the trenching bucket is optimal for digging trenches. However, its narrow shape and sharp flat blade make it better for high-precision tasks.

Learning the different excavator bucket types is important for maximizing productivity. It comes hand in hand with another factor you should consider – the quality of the excavator bucket.