Tractor Sizing Backhoe Bucket Size

[jambx]

I am in the midst of upgrading from a BX22 to a B2920 and would like to know what is the prefered BH Bucket size. My BX used a 12 inch which suited me for most of my applications however it didnt displace a lot of material (not that I am looking to dig a foundation). I mainly be using it for odd projects (i.e. trenching a water line, pulling stumps etc). I am looking to hear from others what are the pros / cons of each size?

 

[bandit67]

12" is a good general purpose bucket size for smaller backhoes. The 12" on the BH65 should be bigger than the BX 12" version, and thus will have a bigger capacity. If you have lots of rocks (I expect you do living in granite laden Connecticut), then the 12" should be a good size.

I have logged quite a few hours with my 12" bucket, and in most cases, figure a wider bucket would really have slowed down a lot of my digging projects.

If you go with too big a bucket in rocky ground, it'll slow your digging down dramatically. The local rental yard runs 12" buckets on their L35 and full size New Holland TLBs because of the rocky ground. The bigger the machine, the higher the capacity on the 12" buckets.

 

[CurlyDave]

Well, I have a bigger machine, but have completely stopped using my 12" bucket, for 2 reasons.

1. The bucket is so small it gets full of clay which will not empty, so I have to clear it out by hand every third time I take a scoop.

2. I bought a hydraulic thumb, which attaches via a 14" pin, which makes it possible to drag the ends of the pin through the dirt with a 12" bucket. I suppose I could use the 12" bucket for very shallow trenches if I was very careful, but the advantages of a thumb outweigh any possible advantage of a smaller bucket.

 

[ray66v]

I am in the midst of upgrading from a BX22 to a B2920 and would like to know what is the prefered BH Bucket size. My BX used a 12 inch which suited me for most of my applications however it didnt displace a lot of material (not that I am looking to dig a foundation). I mainly be using it for odd projects (i.e. trenching a water line, pulling stumps etc). I am looking to hear from others what are the pros / cons of each size?

Use the search feature, 12 threads on this subject.

 

[newbury]

Use the search feature, 12 threads on this subject.

This is the first time I've seen someone post "use search".
Good.

 

[jambx]

Sorry Guys,

Acually I do use the search feature a lot (hence my limited # of threads). In fact I did search for this subject I just didnt see much - I did another search this morning and found more info. I also was hoping I'd see a few more responces of owners of the B2X20 series.

Regards,

~jim

 

[michaelb3]

I've got a 2920 with the bh65 and although my backhoe skills aren't quite where they need to be yet, I've had great luck with the 12" bucket. A larger bucket may move more dirt a little quicker, but I find I can be a little a little more "accurate" with the 12.

 

[bandit67]

Well, I have a bigger machine, but have completely stopped using my 12" bucket, for 2 reasons.

1. The bucket is so small it gets full of clay which will not empty, so I have to clear it out by hand every third time I take a scoop.

Not too much clay in Conn, at least I never found much in my 24 years there. I still feel that the 12" bucket is going to be the best option on that small backhoe with the rocky soil.

Jambx, if you start doing some grave digging, then you can add a bigger bucket, but I'd recommend starting with the 12".

 

[nspec]

I've got a B2630 with a BH75A hoe on the back. I have a 16" bucket and couldn't imagine having anything smaller unless I needed a narrow one for a specialized application. I have a mechanical thumb and the bucket is just about perfect for moving rock. I have dug in extremely rocky soil, dug numerous stumps, and built about 200 feet of rock retaining wall 6-8 feet high with the backhoe. Also dug a couple of trenches for laying drainage pipe. With the 16" bucket, I can get in the ditch to work easily. Again, I could never imagine going smaller. Larger maybe...

 

[john_bud]

This is the first time I've seen someone post "use search".
Good.

If you were to have used the search function, you would have found it posted numerous time prevously.

I had a 12" bucket, but it was always getting clogged with dirt. It's a total pain to have to shovel out the bucket! It was pretty small too, only held about 2.5 cuft of dirt. Found a nice used bucket, added teeth and rebushed it to fit the hoe. Now it is used all the time. 36" across and holds 9.5 cuft of dirt.

Have you thought about a dirt bucket and a rock bucket? Maybe a quick connect on the hoe to make the change easy?

jb

 

[kthompson]

Well, I have a bigger machine, but have completely stopped using my 12" bucket, for 2 reasons.

1. The bucket is so small it gets full of clay which will not empty, so I have to clear it out by hand every third time I take a scoop.

Have a friend who has a simple solution for this and it does work. I used a clevis to pin a chain to holes on the side of the bucket where side cutters are mounted if used. Ran the chain up and over the bucket mount and fastened it where it could not get in moving area of linkage or slip to one side. Chain needs to be long enough and mounted so when you are digging it will fall into the back of the bucket (don't worry, the dirt will push it there) but short enough so when you go to dump, rolling the bucket back wards pulls the chain at least near tight but clear of the bucket. Out pops the clay.

Was in clay this past Saturday and did not have the chain with me that I have been using. Got tired of that metal bar in about 32 seconds. As I did finish removing the clay was thinking more on the chain set up and realize cross chains would probably improve it. Sort of like snow chains (OK, never used snow chains, but that type of design).

If you don't have any holes in the side of your bucket to use, guess you could drill them but you may also be able to just wrap the chain around the tooth and fasten tightly.

 

[ray66v]

I have tried them all on my 6" bucket, piece of chain, putting holes in it, using silicone, or Pam, etc. Nothing provided any real, or lasting benefit in clay.

One thing I realized, besides digging clay when the ground is dry: If the soil is sticking, the best way to get it to release, is to shake the bucket upward, (after you curl it), with the open side facing up. Using this technique, along with not trying to take really big bites, (that just packs it in tighter). I can dig at a reasonable speed, and avoid having to constantly get off the machine and clear the bucket.

Shaking it open side down, (when dumping it), is mostly futile. This actually packs it in tighter.

 

[kthompson]

Ray, will say all clay is not the same. Not being smart there at all. We have 2 or 3 types here. One very seldom sticks (this one is desired for road beds and such), one sticks if wet and when dry hard to dig and the pure grey gumbo...have not dug enough in it to know and hope never do. But for my use the chains have done very well. But do plan to add cross chains to improve it before back in the clay.

 

[check]

I am in the midst of upgrading from a BX22 to a B2920 and would like to know what is the prefered BH Bucket size. My BX used a 12 inch which suited me for most of my applications however it didnt displace a lot of material (not that I am looking to dig a foundation). I mainly be using it for odd projects (i.e. trenching a water line, pulling stumps etc). I am looking to hear from others what are the pros / cons of each size?

I'd love to have a bigger BH bucket than the stock 12" that came with my BX25, but the dealer says no can do. Or is there an aftermarket source? Does anyone know?

 

[charlz]

I'd love to have a bigger BH bucket than the stock 12" that came with my BX25, but the dealer says no can do. Or is there an aftermarket source? Does anyone know?

One of the companies selling Kubota BH buckets on ebay says they will take orders for other sizes.

I have a 16" and it is great for general excavation but I built a 9" for trenching water lines etc. where I don't need to remove so much dirt.

 

[john_bud]

My 12" bucket used to clog up with clay real bad. PITA to get out. No amount of shaking or whacking the ground would loosen it. Went to a 36" bucket and problem solved!

jb

 

[two_bit_score]

>>Jambx, if you start doing some grave digging, then you can add a bigger bucket, but I'd recommend starting with the 12".<<

I've got a 24" bucket on my 110TLB and could not imagine using anything smaller. This is the first backhoe I've ever used.

But it does depend on the job you want it to do.

 

[bandit67]

>>Jambx, if you start doing some grave digging, then you can add a bigger bucket, but I'd recommend starting with the 12".<<

I've got a 24" bucket on my 110TLB and could not imagine using anything smaller. This is the first backhoe I've ever used.

But it does depend on the job you want it to do.

Yeah, well your 110 is a heck of a lot bigger than a 2920. So bucket size also depends on the machine.