How to Find a Suitable Excavator Bucket
A key consideration for selecting an excavator bucket is its application and the material(s) you will be dealing with. Some buckets are designed to carry heavier materials, while others are built for speed or a specific purpose. While bucket size is important, since bigger ones have more capacity to carry large amounts of debris, if you take material density and truck size into consideration, you will be more mindful of your size selection.
Pay Attention to Bucket Weight
The weight can affect cycle time, and buckets get heavier depending on the materials loaded. To increase your productivity, make it a rule to get smaller buckets especially when you are handling higher-density materials. This will prevent impediments to your productivity. Smaller excavator buckets let you load materials onto your truck quickly and less cycles, effectively reducing downtime, machine burnout and fuel consumption.
Consider Material Type and Density
Different projects also require different bucket types, so make sure you select a bucket capable of lifting, digging or handling your target materials. For instance, digging trenches will be faster if you use heavy duty buckets (made of stronger, thicker steel). Special features allow excavator buckets to handle specific materials. Buckets designed for cutting rocks tend to have longer, sharper teeth and V-shape edges that can cut through hard rock. They are also powerful enough to carry heavy loads. Digging excavator buckets, on one hand, can penetrate soils of varying density and type.
What Excavator Buckets to Use
Excavators carry out a number of functions including landscaping, digging, laying pipes, and moving a pile of debris. Several types of buckets allow an excavator to carry all kinds of materials within such functions. There are also specialised buckets, built for a specific purpose. You usually find these types on most sites:
- General-purpose, all-purpose, or digging buckets
- Mud buckets
- Heavy-duty buckets
- Trenching buckets
- Tilt buckets
- Specialised buckets, like Crusher Buckets, Screening Buckets, Sieve & Grab Buckets.
General Purpose (GP) Buckets
General Purpose (GP) excavator buckets are the most versatile and useful at a wide variety of excavation jobs. Otherwise known as digging buckets, generic buckets are standard attachments for excavators. If you rent an excavator without relaying the specifics, the firm will automatically designate a general-purpose bucket for your project. This bucket type often has short, blunt teeth which work effectively on soil. They also come in all shapes, sizes and functions.
Mud Buckets
This excavator bucket typically has a tapered back, is wider and shallower than a GP bucket. It is usually wide and shallow with progressive digging movements that allow it to cut through materials efficiently. The material releases easily after the bucket empties it. Mud Buckets are great for sloping, finishing work and cleaning ditches.
Heavy Duty (HD) Buckets
From rock, gravel and sand to clay, silt and shale, there is hardly any material type that heavy duty buckets cannot handle. These excavator buckets are durable, usually composed of the finest calibre steel, and can dig through high density materials with ease. Ideal for mining and quarry projects, they have the ability to increase productivity while maintaining safety in intense work environments.
Trenching Buckets
Though similar to digging buckets, trenching excavator buckets are used specifically for digging trenches. Their many uses include pipe laying, drain excavations, and trenches for underground cables. A trenching bucket has a sharp but blunt blade and its shape is typically narrow, to suit the size of trench required. The extended front ensures maximum and effective access to materials throughout the digging process. These buckets maintain a fast cycle time while digging deep trenches.
Tilt Buckets
Angle tilt buckets have several common uses that range from clearing land and waste handling to loading light materials, grading and backfilling. A tilt bucket has an oscillation of up to around 45 degrees in both east and west directions. It has two models: single cylinder and dual rams. It is also great for excavating side-angled trenches. Heavy duty components ensure this attachment can last for a long time and handle tough jobs.
Where to Purchase the Best Excavator Buckets
If you are looking for quality excavator attachments for your next projects, you are welcome to get in touch with our friendly team at Boss Attachments. We offer a range of high performance attachments and earthmoving equipment in Australia, including excavator buckets, shears, grabs and hydraulic hammers. Get in touch with our team today and we will help you find the right attachments for your construction, mining, demolition or recycling needs.
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ'S
Excavators are used to provide superior digging power and mobility, allowing them to perform a variety of functions, from digging trenches and holes to lifting away waste. Performing demolition work, feeding trucks & other equipment, excavating mines, etc.
Excavators offer a mechanical advantage, bringing with it an increase of power, speed, efficiency, accuracy and ease of use, amongst others. Especially when combined with an appropriate bucket or attachment.
Always talk to a professional, but consider attributes like proven performance, unit construction, materials, aftersales service & suitability for purpose. Of course, cost will always be a factor, but a cheaper upfront purchase price, doesn’t necessarily equal a cheaper price, over the life of the unit. Also, always ensure you are comparing like-for-like. Too many buckets and attachments look similar, but can perform vastly differently when put to work. All attachments are NOT created equal.
By choosing the correct bucket or attachment for purpose, you can greatly increase an excavators productivity, at a specific task. Like approaching any project, make sure you have the correct tools for the job.
There are countless types of excavator buckets and attachments. From general purpose or specialised buckets, through to attachments for all manner of dedicated tasks. Just as there are a huge number of different excavators, depending on size and usage required.
