Backhoe which backhoe bucket size?

[chatcher]

I have a small pond and wonder what bucket would be most useful for de-mucking. New Holland, SMC, and Rhino list "muck buckets" for some of their backhoes, but I haven't been able to find a picture or description. Anyone seen one? Is it significantly different than a regular bucket with holes? My initial thought was that a bucket with no teeth might do a neater job dragging the pond bottom, but the muck buckets apparently do have teeth. My hoe (NH 758C) is not one of the models muck buckets are listed for, so it may not matter. I may just get a 24" and drill some holes to let the water out.

 

[PineRidge]

I have never seen a muck bucket but I'm wondering just how useful that it might be on the back of a backhoe.

I can't imagine that you would have enough reach to really remove enough material to justify the the cost of the bucket itself.

I may be all wet here....... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[chatcher]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I have never seen a muck bucket but I'm wondering just how useful that it might be on the back of a backhoe.

I can't imagine that you would have enough reach to really remove enough material to justify the the cost of the bucket itself.

I may be all wet here....... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )</font>

Not as wet as I'll probably be if I try it. Just how close to the edge of the pond do you think I'll go? It's one of those instances of "when all you've got is a hammer, everything looks like a nail."

 

[rcrcomputing]

Just as well, he has the 24 ordered already. But Kioti is gonna have to drop me the 12" as they are out of stock temporarily..

 

[DK35vince]

12" and 24" should work fine.
I'm running 18" and 36" buckets. I use my 36" bucket quite often.

 

[rswyan]

I have a 10" and 16". I have never had the 10" on the 'hoe, but given how easy it is to plug the 16" with damp clay, I'd imagine the 10" would be even worse.

When I ordered the 'hoe the dealer originally priced it with both of these buckets. I actually told him when I placed the order that I wanted a 12" and 24" (and would have been willing to pay the extra cost), but due to some oversight on his part I wound up with what I have.

I'd say 16" would probably be the minimum I'd want if I had any plans to get down in the trench.

 

[ksmmoto]

I have a 16" on my BL4690. I am going to check on a 24". Have soft dirt and few rocks here in Michigan.

ksmmoto

 

[rcrcomputing]

Just reporting back after the buy. I like my 24" bucket. The ck30 handles it just fine in the clay or dirt. I'm quite pleased with the power of the backhoe. The 12" still hasn't arrived. Seems to be taking quite some time. My french drains are waiting... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[RexT]

Just read these post and maybe you can help me. I just bought a TC33DA and ordered a Woods hoe for it. The dealer recommended an 18" bucket but after reading these posts I wonder if I should have ordered a 24". I have quite a few tree stumps to remove and lots of large rocks to relocate along with several drain trenchs. I called the dealer and he said he could change the 18' to a 24' for an extra $50.00 but felt it would a like to much for really tough work. He said while the 24" could handle more dirt the 18" would dig better for genereal use. Should I just go with the 18" and possibly look at 12" for smalle work? I orginially thought a 24" and 12" would be a good choice. We have very hard clay here in northern Georgia and my property was overly blessed by the rock Gods!! This is my first backhoe ( and according to my wife my last!) so I don't want to over tax it but I have a lot to do and I don't want to waste time either.

 

[MMM]

18" or 16"is good choice for gp bucket. The 12" better for stumps. Of course as always 2 buckets are better than 1. 24" would be good for volume work, like ponds septic systems etc- depending on how much of that you have to do. If you've got sizable rocks, I'd skip the 24" and put the $50 toward a thumb.