Now that you have a project in mind or won a bid for a project, the next step is to make sure that you have the right equipment to have the job done. One of the things to consider is which bucket to choose. Buckets are probably the most versatile extension of an excavator machine. It has ones specifically for digging, cleaning, and a lot more. But there are several excavator buckets to choose from. Here’s a quick rundown of the different types of buckets:
Standard buckets
These are the most popular among the excavator buckets. This utilitarian bucket comes in various sizes depending on the capacity of the excavator. Usually available in widths from 8 to 42 inches, these have three to nine teeth for easy ground penetration. This type of buckets is ideal for works in sandy soil, soil with a bit of rocks or clay.
Heavy-duty buckets
Just with its name, you could tell that this is made for heavy duty excavation. This is best for hard clay with rocks scattered through the soil. Its size is the same as a standard bucket’s. Though its namesake says heavy-duty, it is still not meant for digging solid rock.
Ditching buckets
Also known as trenching buckets, these have smooth front edge as opposed to the teeth on standard and heavy-duty buckets. This is not designed for digging but for ditch maintenance and slope work. You’d know it’s a good ditching bucket if it has a rigid top section that provides stability on the wider sides.
Tilting buckets
These are often used in grading applications where the bucket can be tilted up to 45 degrees forward or backward. What’s great about this bucket is that it can maintain a level trench even when the excavator machine is at an angle. However, excessive prying is not recommended for this type of bucket due to its design. This type of bucket is only available for medium to large excavators. Sizes are also larger ranging from 48 to 72 inches.
Rock and coral rock buckets
If your project entails heavy bucket loading in highly abrasive applications such as severe rock, then rock buckets is the one to use. Sturdy and designed for excavating layered rock or frozen ground, this can also be used for moderate prying. It has smaller teeth compared to standard buckets which protect the bucket’s edge. Its size ranges between 8 to 36 inches.
It is important to know which bucket best suits your project’s needs as using the wrong one could cost you time and money.
