Backhoe bucket size

Cliff_Johns · Apr 5, 2004

Is 9" too small for a backhoe bucket. The dealer said that they sometimes jam up
and have to be cleaned out. He recommended the 13" bucket as the smallest
viable bucket.

I was thinking that you can always dig a trench or hole larger than the bucket,
but not smaller.

Any advice?
Cliff

garbageman · Apr 5, 2004

Cliff,
I use a 12" bucket on a Woods 6500 Hoe. It is the "right" size
for my projects and for the size of the backhoe. No problems with clogging.
Ray

AndyMA · Apr 5, 2004

Cliff

Whay size hoe are you running it on. I use a 12" and a 24" on my Woods 1050 which is an 10 1/2 ' hoe. Even on the smaller hoes I've had previously I've never run anything smaller than 12". I think except for special use a 9" is too small and stuff would jam. Also the "scoup size" would drive me crazy. I also think it is so narrow that trying to trench would be hard because material would fall right over it rather than into it.

Andy

JerryG · Apr 5, 2004

Look at the way the bucket is made. If the mouth of the bucket is a little larger than the heel, then everything will come out almost all of the time. My smallest bucket is a 10" that I use for building footings. It is larger at the mouth and works really well.

bebster · Apr 5, 2004

I opted for a 16"-18" bucket, figuring that even if I used it to trench, I'd need a trench that wide for a couple of reasons. First, the trench might cave in if it is too narrow. Second, if you have to get down in the trench to install pipe or whatever, you'll need at least 16" to fit in it.

Also, if I wanted to dig something out, it would take less time than a 12" bucket. And finally, these is less risk of the bucket getting clogged.

rdln · Apr 5, 2004

I went to both extremes for my woods 7500, 9 inch and 24inch if I was only going to by 1 it would be a 16 or 18 inch.

I've never done anything where I was glad that I had the 9", considering the fact that wet clay will plug it easily, I would have been happier with a 12".
the 9" and the 12" both had 3 teeth so the PSI is the same.

The woods dealer told me that the first bucket was the same price regardless of size.

Henro · Apr 6, 2004

I have 10" and 16" inch buckets. The 10" works but in wet clay it sticks a lot.

If I had to have only one it would be the 16" without question.

Cliff_Johns · Apr 7, 2004

OK,
I guess the 13" gets the vote
Thanks everyone.
Cliff

botaman2 · Apr 22, 2004

I have a 18" bucket on my 9' backhoe,I would not have anything but! I find it ideal for trench work,as well as G/P work. I would say that go as big as your hoe is capable of handling.

LarryRB · Apr 22, 2004

I have an 11 ft hoe and use 12 and 24 buckets. Depending on immediate need, both do exceptionally well.

To20Chris · Apr 23, 2004

I have just a 12", it digs nice neat trenches and doesn't clog up too bad. I don't think you would need or want smaller for trenching - 12" is pretty narrow when you are digging.

uhmgawa · Apr 23, 2004

( I have an 11 ft hoe and use 12 and 24 buckets. Depending on immediate need, both do exceptionally well. )

I have a 24" bucket on my backhoe. That is the way it was configured by
the dealer. If I was to choose I probably would have chosen smaller. Glad I
didn't. After using it for a year it seems to be just the right size.

PineRidge · Apr 23, 2004

Cliff keep in mind that the smaller buckets like the 12 inch concentrate the power of your backhoe and are best suited for digging out roots and freeing up stumps easier. The larger buckets are used to move more dirt and are a good trade off if you don't need concentrated digging power.

I went with the 12 inch bucket for the backhoe on my TC-40D and it has worked well for me.

rockyridgefarm · Apr 23, 2004

Mine came with a 9". I dig like crazy and have NEVER had to unstick it. But soil conditions make a huge differance. I think I will add a 16" or 24" later...

CTyler · Apr 24, 2004

I have 12 and 24" buckets for my 9' hoe. I use the 12" bucket for most things since I'm digging trenches for one thing or another.

12" is a little tight when your trying to glue sewer pipe or whatever 4' in the hole but its workable. If I were 6'+ and/or 250+lbs I'd probably want something bigger.

Depends on what you want to do. I just planted 35 trees that were left over from the 350 the NRD planted. Used the 12" bucket again. In this case a 9" would have been better but thats probably the only thing it would ever get used for.

I've seen some of the small rental machines that have small ~9" buckets on them. The were great for digging shallow DWV lines and you get get them inside of basements. Would work great for planting small tree's, landscape bushes etc...

5030 · Apr 24, 2004

Cliff:

No matter what width of bucket you get, make sure it has replaceable manganese teeth, preferrably bolt on.

Cliff_Johns · Apr 24, 2004

( Cliff:

No matter what width of bucket you get, make sure it has replaceable manganese teeth, preferrably bolt on. )

Well, now there's an interesting thing. I ordered the bucket more than a week ago as I said up thread, but I don't know if the Deere buckets have replaceable teeth or not. Do you break them very often? The soil around here isn't rocky.

Cliff

5030 · Apr 24, 2004

Cliff:

I don't think you will break any, at least not right away. They erode from the abrasive action of the dirt you are digging. When they erode enough, the break. You aren't going to use your backhoe enough to worry about it, but whomever buys it down the road may have to replace them.

I had a Kubota backhoe that went on 3 different tractors in it lifetime with me. I sold it about 2 years ago and the bucket teeth were the originals. They were wearing so I imagine that the guy I sold it to had to replace them.

We have moderately abrasive soil here. I did hard rod the bucket cheeks to slow down the erosion on that part.

Cliff_Johns · Apr 24, 2004

( I did hard rod the bucket cheeks to slow down the erosion on that part. )

Could you explain what "hard rod" means here.
Cliff

KiotiJohn · Apr 24, 2004

( Could you explain what "hard rod" means here.)
Since I'm here reading this, I'll give you the quick answer. Hard rodding or Hard facing is a welding term used to describe a process of putting a weld down that will protect the surface of the metal underneath. It's rather like adding a protective covering which is harder than the steel it's attached to. I believe that's the correct answer, if not someone will be sure to give the correction. Some people hard face their cutting edges to make them last longer as well. Back to topic. I've been using the 12" bucket that was incorrectly shipped with my backhoe and today I picked up the 16" bucket I was supposed to get. I decided to buy the 12" as well for trenching and closer jobs that the 16 would have a hard time getting into. Also, the smaller bucket may come in handy if I'm in hard to dig soil as it will not take as large a bite, therefore being easier to dig with. I should be able to operate a little faster digging stumps with the 16". John