BH Bucket Size?

[SteveH_CT]

Hi Folks - just a quick question... what size bucket would you recommend for the Backhoe? I'll be using it for a variety of jobs, but mostly the following - trenching for wiring conduit from the street - Rock removal - stump removal. Any suggestions are appreciated. BTW - right now I have an 18" on it.

Thanks,

 

[centex]

I have 12" and 24" buckets. I use the 12" bucket for digging stumps and trenches. One problem with it is that wet clay will not dump from it without help and that requires getting off the machine and using a bar to pry it out. It also is too small to pick up large rocks. I use the 24" for digging. It seems to be a good all around size for me. I would think that your 18" bucket would be a good all around size too. Even the 12" bucket makes a very large trench to fill so I don't think you would see much advantage with one. I dug some large holes pretty quickly with the 12" bucket before I got the 24" so I don't think you would get too much gain in digging speed with a 24" bucket. Of course if you have a lot of money to spend and just want more buckets then I say go for it. That's what I would do! These small BH buckets cost around $600.

 

[art]

A 18" bucket would be the best for that size unit to handle. You might be able to use another size for some jobs but the best buy for all purposes would be what you have.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Which Model Hoe do you have? My 47 has a 9" which is nice for trenching and stumps. I want to add an 18" which would make a nice complement.

The 48 hoe will not take the 9". smallest for it is the 12" For it, I think i'd stick to the 18"

Of course, we don't need to go all that deep in Oklahoma, 18" is usually plenty... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif (That's why I guess I can get by with the 9" width...

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Oops! I see you have the 48, I think you'll be happy with the 18" The only advantage of a smaller one would be for less trench "scar" and I don't think 6" smaller is worth another bucket...

 

[SteveH_CT]

Thanks everyone - it sounds like the dealer knows his stuff by making the 18" standard equipment.

 

[csa]

I got the 18" with my 48. With our heavy clay/shale here, any larger would have been tough/ineffective. I got the 12" just for trenching. Doesn't seem like a big difference at first thought, but it's 1/3 less burden/backfill to deal with.
TK

 

[tractorhal]

STEVE, I feel the 18 is the best all around. The 12 is good for trenching,stump removal and any time you need ,want the total bucket force in a concentrated area. The 24 is nice for moving top soil, sand etc.or grading. I have all three.

 

[SteveH_CT]

Yes, I'll bet the 48 BH with a 12" bucket gives you a very concentrated bite. I'm going to try the stump removal with the 18" and see how it goes.

 

[bebster]

Stump removal with my 48BH and 18" bucket works just fine. Here's a picture of a friend of mine giving a stump the heave-ho. You aren't really taking that big of a scoop working around the roots, so seldom seem to fill the bucket. But the width of the bucket seems to work fine -- a lot of it is just grabbing and pulling up side roots. I don't think larger would help much at all.