Optimal Backhoe Bucket?

[avc8130]

I get the opportunity to pick the bucket for my BT1000 on the L39 I am buying. What is the optimal size bucket? I am torn between a 12" and 18". I will be using the backhoe for "anything and everything" that comes up. Stumps/ditches/digging holes/loosening dirt/etc.

18" seems like a good "all around" size, but I have heard 12" might be significantly better for stumps?

If you HAD to have 1 size, what would it be?
ac

 

[devildog1]

16" works for me.
DevilDog

 

[doelake]

I recently upgraded from a L39 to M59...on the L39 I had an 18" toothed trenching bucket as well as a 30" ditching bucket...with the M59 I went to a 24" toothed trencing bucket but kept the ditching bucket. Capacity and finish work is great with a smoothed edge ditching bucket...I've stumped big trees with all the buckets, toothed buckets will break roots easier...for the greatest percentage of my work I will use the ditching bucket, and if the hydraulic thumb is available to you, it makes you unstoppable

 

[lzicc]

I had that choice between the 12" or larger and I went with a 16" bucket for mine. Depends on what you are using it for. I want to be able to dig trenches but also dig holes fairly fast. I would consider the 18".

 

[BruceWard]

12" is good for rocks and trenches. Larger is better for everything else.

 

[ejkessler]

I honestly have owned both every time I buy a tractor with a BH. 18" and the narrowest they make which is usually 10" or 12". The extra 3 to 4 hundred dollars is well worth the versatility. Trenching, stump and root pulling and difficult post hole digging are great with the narrower bucket. Everything else with the 18".

 

[Grandad4]

If you have clay soil, you'll find the smaller buckets tend to get clogged easier. When it's wet, even my 18" needs to be cleaned out pretty often. Haven't used one, but would expect a 12" would really fill up under such conditions. The 18" is a good all around size. Your L39 should have no trouble doing all your tasks with it.

 

[SixHoeBob]

18" is a good size multipurpose size. The trench is wide enough to work in without being excessive. 18" is narrow enough for digging in hard ground.
My second choice would be 24" for digging footers. The L39 is big enough to easily handle the 24". 12" buckets are frustrating because they quickly become 12" blades.

Answer; 18" then 24"

 

[Ductape]

On an L39, I'd get the 18.

 

[CurlyDave]

16" or 18" depending on which one is available.

12" will clog with clay. Take one scoop, spend 5 minutes emptying bucket with shovel.