BH bucket size

[Bob_S]

Just added a 47 backhoe to an order for a 4310 with 430 loader. After many frets on just about everything I ordered, I am down to the rethinking the bucket size. The 47 comes standard with a 9" but I was thinking of going with the next size up from John Deere which is a 13". I will be moving and digging rocks and stump removal (as best as the 47 can) and not much if any trench work. 9" or 13" please any quick thoughts.

 

[Hoeman00]

The smaller bucket digs roots out on stumps easier, but is really slow digging holes.
On my Kubota BH I had the 9" and 18" then could cover
whatever came along.
The smallest bucket on my 710 JD is 18" and I bought a bucket from company that ran over it w/ dozer ? it broke
the side cutting edges.
I got 3/4" X 8" T-1 cutting edge to replace sides and keep
from breaking it digging stumps (I did lots of stumps out).
If u can get 2 buckets (might get better now deal than later).

 

[MJB]

I have the 18" bucket on my JD48 hoe. This size is a good match for the digging power of the 48. The 13" would probably be a good match for the 47 for general use. If rock and stump digging will be the only use however, I would likely stay with the 9" bucket. The narrower bucket should be stronger than the wide bucket and allow you to apply a more concentrated force for hard digging.

 

[jlong]

I have a general question on BH bucket sizes. I bought a used woods 750 BH and it came with a 18" bucket. I thought about getting a smaller one for trenching, but was told that the smaller buckets are too hard to clear. Any thoughts??

 

[Hoeman00]

I had the 9" on woods 7500 and in dry dirt was OK but
in wet or damp clay, muck, even silt/loam it WILL
stick.
It sticks in all buckets, it helps not to cram the bucket
full while digging helps dirt or mud come out easier.
U can always shake the dipper stick to clean out.

 

[Rick Jay]

Bob,

I have an 8" and a 16" for my Woods 7500 backhoe. I have used the 8" bucket for trenching, cutting roots and ground prep for laying 6" x 6" landscape timbers. I've used the 16" for transplanting shrubs and general excavation.

I suppose the 13" would be a good compromise, but I have to side with those that recommend both narrow and wide buckets. It definitely increases the usefulness of the backhoe. Considering the cost of the hoe, another bucket is just another couple hundred bucks. (That's much easier to say when it's someone else's money.) You might be able to work a better deal at the time of purchase. My 16" came with the hoe. ( I think Woods includes the price of any size bucket with the hoe.) I believe I paid about $300 for the 8", which included three teeth. I bought the 8" about one year later. The buckets are made by Gannon, sold by Woods.

It takes less than 10 minutes to change buckets, and that includes the time necessary to get the tools and regrease the pins.

Just my $0.02 (and your couple hundred bucks).

Good Luck,

~Rick

 

[radman]

I have a 12" and 24" for my bradco hoe. The 12 is best for trenching and digging and the 24 is good if the soil is not too hard. The 12 will plug with dirt if wet and especially wet clay. The 12" is just wide enough for working in a deeper trench, a 9" maybe difficult to work in. In your position, I would recommend just the 13" if I could only have one bucket. A 13" bucket carry about 35% more dirt in each bucket than a 9".

 

[Chillimau]

Question about sizing a hoe to the job. I need to build a 25' x 25' x 5' deep holding pond. Is this too big a job for a Woods 1050 or Bradco 611 diggin in clay. I would also like to dig a basement around 1700 square feet. My feeling is that these projects are a little beyond what would be pratical for these size hoes. Maybe a case 580 tlb would be the choice for the basement and a dozer for the pond work. Can you buy a decent 580 for 7-9,000?

 

[Carl_NH]

Chillimau,

It's doable with these hoes, but I think an excavator would be the ticket pending the sidewall vertical of your holding pond. If steep then the excavator is the best choice. Also for the foundation unless it a walkout basement setup then most any BH will do it OK - it's just time.

I have seen 580's for 5-7K but they are pretty used up for that price.

Carl

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

<font color=blue>"Can you buy a decent 580 for 7-9,000?"</font color=blue>

I've seen a lot of 580's sell at auction here over the summer and the range seems to be in the $10,500-$13,000 range with most running $11,000-$12,500. These all have backhoes, loaders and enclosed hard cabs. I don't know if this is high or low but this was all at dealer only auctions and the prices were consistently in the range I described. I hope this helps. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif