Backhoe backhoe bucket size kubota?

nikos · Jul 17, 2009

I've ordered a new backhoe for my Kubota tractor L4240 and I was wondering which bucket size is more versatile. I only want to buy one bucket. I'm in dubio between the 18 or 20 inches one.

art · Jul 17, 2009

A concern would be what type of soil you will be working with. I'm not familiar with the 21" but on that size a 18" works very well and what I normally recommend in our area for that size machine.

Lil_FarmerJim · Jul 17, 2009

Those 2 are so close together in size, I'm not sure it would really matter a whole what size.

But generally I would say if your doing a lot of trench work then go with the size that meets the need for the width of the trench. If its excavation and landscaping then the wider I find to be better, more bulk material can be moved.

All comes down to what you plan on doing with it.

swampvol · Jul 18, 2009

I have both the 12" and 16" buckets, but the 16" is the one that stays attached the most. Even when trenching, unless I'm in a tight area and worried about back-fill, I just keep the 16" on.

radioman · Jul 18, 2009

the 20 inch is more neater for ditch work, landscape stuff and in sandy like soils. The 18 inch would be better in clay/rocky soils for power needed to dig. Just my take on this.

woodchuckcanuck · Sep 9, 2009

Rather than post a new thread on bucket size I dug this one up. I think I'll go with the 24" bucket that is coming with my BH. I can take it or a 16". Like its been said in this thread, bigger bucket, more material can be moved.

So my next question is to go toothless or not? The 24" bucket comes with 4 teeth. Should I just cut them off and make a bolt-on tooth bar to swap with a wear bar? Any opinions on that?

charlz · Sep 9, 2009

woodchuckcanuck said:
So my next question is to go toothless or not? The 24" bucket comes with 4 teeth. Should I just cut them off and make a bolt-on tooth bar to swap with a wear bar? Any opinions on that?

I'd check to see if the teeth are not bolt-on already. Not having teeth gives you a smoother bottom on trenches but doesn't dig as well. The wider the bucket the less pressure per inch you have along the cutting edge as well.

newbury · Sep 9, 2009

Teeth also seemed to help in snagging and cutting roots.
You also need a thumb.

Try taping up/ immobillizing the thumbs on your hands (hopefully you do have thumbs, if not I apologize) and working around the house for a day. They make a big difference.

tessiers · Sep 9, 2009

I have an 18" digging bucket on a 7 1/2 foot JD which is real nice for general digging and trenching but I also have a 32" grading bucket (no teeth) which is awsome for smoothing and grading. I use the grading bucket more than the digging bucket but that depends on your application. I also have a thumb which I find next to useless, it is manual and never in the right position and I would not waste my money if I were doing it again, a hydraulic I may try but that would depend on the price.

woodchuckcanuck · Sep 9, 2009

The teeth are welded to the bucket. I probaly will cut them off and make a toothbar with it for bolt-on purposes.

I still have two thumbs. Almost lost one two years ago to a 4" grinder with a carbide blade on it. You can see in the xray where the carbide tip made a nice kerf cut through the top portion of my right thumb.

Hey newbury, no apology required except for the fact you expect me to work around the house

I thought about a thumb but didn't put a whole lot of emphasis to it. I mind was elsewhere thinking about a light duty root rake with grapple. Maybe a thumb could do the job almost as well.