It was a rather busy day out on the yard. The sun was shining, mercury was rising, and buyers were busy eyeing the Heavy equipment listed for sale. In the farthest corner of the yard, a used wheel excavator stood perfectly in its place and a middle aged man dressed in shorts and a collarless polo shirt stood before it. With a bewildered look on his face, he was inspecting the bucket of the equipment. He stood there until the sales man came up to him and offered him help.

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Upon inquiry the sales man came to know that the man was confused about the bucket- whether it would be suitable for his work or not? 'Tell me what you want to do with the equipment and I might be able to help you out', asked Smith, the brown-haired sales man. After a little help from smith, the man was on his way with a happy face. This tells us that one should know how to select the correct excavator bucket because you can't get help from a smith every time you went to buy a new or used wheel excavator.

For those of you who are new to the game, this blog is especially for you because you might get confused when you'll come to know about the options for the excavator buckets. The world of heavy construction equipment is funny this way. The reason behind this diversity is the type of work that is done via excavators. You can use excavators to do a ton of work in different working conditions for multiple purposes. You can get yourself a good bucket by just keeping in mind these three things; the size of the bucket, the type of bucket according to application, and quality of bucket with its features. It doesn't matter if you are a seasoned person or a newbie, you'll find these tips useful.

Know the right size

You need to map out the material type and density that you are going to be working with because this would help you determine how much of the material can be picked up. A high density material can hurt the number of passes made. You should also know the specifications of the excavator because you won't be putting a bucket made for a 12-ton excavator on a 60-ton machine. You might want to add up on the size part if you want to get the job done quickly. However, too big a bucket and you might end up slowing down your production. You can't just dig a 22-inch trench with a 30-inch bucket.

Quality of the bucket

Just like all equipment are not the same, all buckets are not the same. Each one has an intended purpose and its better if you work with it accordingly. You need to research before buying one so that you don't get lost along the process. There are some features that add to the longevity and increase resistance to wear such as wear strips and side cutters. These save the bucket from sides and back and also promote the infiltration capability. Apart from these features, you also need to keep an eye on the teeth and the edges.

A little mistake while choosing this can cost you a lot. You can't be using general purpose buckets in place of buckets with bolt-on edge. One has teeth that make your excavating easier and effective while the latter one is great for grading or landscaping applications. With a short tip radius you'll be getting an enhanced breakout force ideal for reducing wear. If you are going for a densely compact material, you should choose pick-point teeth. Now that you know about all of this you are free to make your choice accordingly.

Matching to your Application

Heavy Duty buckets

There are heavy duty buckets that are made for enhanced digging with materials such as hard packed clay, blasted rock, and stone. A variety of other materials such as sharp rock, shot granite, gravel, and others can also be handled perfectly using this type. These buckets are generally used in rock quarries. With a few passes you are good to go!

General purpose buckets

If you are aiming to use your buckets for a variety of applications then choose the general purpose buckets. These buckets work the same in variety of working conditions. You can handle materials such as sand and dirt, clay, topsoil, and gravel with ease. It doesn't matter if you are using a wheel excavator or a track excavator, you should keep your eye on the type of work that you want to do.

Grading buckets

When it comes to ditching buckets also known as grading buckets, one should know that these have smooth edges that are meant to master tasks such as landscaping, ditch maintenance, and slope shaping. These buckets can be seen utilized in numbers when it comes to road construction processes.

How to Choose the Best Bucket for Your Mini Excavator

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After securing a new job with a successful bid, your next step is ensuring you have all the proper equipment. Once you narrow your search down to a mini excavator, the next step is to find the ideal bucket for the job. Choosing the best mini excavator bucket for your job site will ensure your crew is successful and you complete the job efficiently.

Tips for Choosing a Mini Excavator Bucket

As you begin your search for a mini excavator bucket you may ask questions such as are all mini excavator buckets universal? While it can be tempting to use one bucket for all your needs, this may lead to lower levels of efficiency as not all mini excavator buckets are the same. Before you select a bucket, here are some questions to consider:

1. What Material Are You Moving?

When choosing a bucket for your mini excavator, the first thing you must consider is the soil condition of the job site. If you are working in various soil conditions such as clay, gravel, sand, or shale, you may want to consider using an abrasion-resistant and durable heavy-duty bucket.

Severe-duty buckets are an ideal option for job sites that feature abrasive materials or severe digging. A severe-duty bucket features abrasion-resistant material to promote uptime. Ensuring your mini excavator bucket is compatible with the material you need to move is an essential first step.

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2. What Size Bucket Do You Need?

Many believe that the bigger the bucket, the more efficient you will be. While a bigger bucket may hold more material, a smaller bucket may allow your excavator to cycle faster, especially when lifting heavy material. To find the best bucket size for you, identify the capacity of your excavator. Then determine how many loads you will need to move each day before selecting a bucket size that can handle these demands.

3. Which Bucket Fits Your Needs?

The right bucket features can help you get the job done more efficiently. When looking for a bucket, look for features such as a thicker plate material and high-quality edges to extend the life of your bucket.

4. Are You Adding Accessories?

To enhance your excavator for your job site, you can customize your bucket with various add-on accessories. Adding accessories such as teeth to your bucket or changing the edge configuration can improve how your excavator operates in many different soil types. You also have the option to add additional protective accessories to expand the lifespan of your bucket.

What Are the Different Types of Excavator Buckets?

Once you determine the conditions of your job site and your needs, selecting your bucket from the many different types available is a simple process. The different mini excavator bucket types are:

Standard Buckets

Standard buckets or digging buckets are a popular option and are available in a variety of mini excavator bucket sizes. These buckets are ideal for general excavation and feature short, blunt teeth for greater versatility. If you rent an excavator without specifying which type of bucket you need, you will most likely receive a standard bucket. This bucket is ideal for materials such as:

• Dirt
• Sand
• Topsoil
• Soil with small stones
• Clay

Heavy-Duty Buckets

As the name may imply, heavy-duty buckets are ideal for more challenging jobs that require stronger equipment that can carry larger loads. You also have the option to add accessories to your heavy-duty buckets, such as wear plates and strips to increase your bucket's lifespan. A heavy-duty bucket is ideal for moving materials such as:

• Blasted rock
• Stone
• Shale

Severe and extreme heavy duty buckets can handle heavier materials such as:

• Limestone
• Sandstone
• Basalt

Ditching or Grading Buckets

Grading and ditching buckets are essentially the same type of bucket. The main difference between calling it a ditching bucket versus a grading bucket depends on the job you're performing. For example, you'll use a grading bucket to level out and smooth the ground. A ditching bucket, on the other hand, is what you'll call a grading bucket when you use it to dig out ditches or land drains. This type of bucket has a smooth front edge, unlike the sharp teeth of a standard bucket.

A grading bucket is ideal for leveling and smoothing out soil because it's wider without causing an increase in weight. A ditching bucket is better suited for maintaining ditches and in construction because it has a smooth front edge. This bucket type is ideal for soil that's free of roots or rocks.

Tilting Buckets

One of the most frequent uses of a tilting bucket is in grading applications due to its ability to tilt up to 45 degrees. These buckets also allow an excavator to move or shape land without the need to frequently change positions. Some additional applications of this bucket include:

• Trenching
• Clearing land or snow
• Finishing
• Digging in hard-to-reach areas

Cemetery Buckets

The primary use of a cemetery bucket is to dig graves, flat bottom trenches, pools and basements. These buckets have a lower capacity than standard buckets and will allow the operator to dig holes with straight walls and flat bottoms. Since these buckets are wider and not as deep, they are not an ideal choice for general construction work.

Rock and Coral Rock Buckets

Rock and coral rock buckets are ideal for digging highly abrasive materials such as rocks. These buckets are an aggressive option and can quickly excavate frozen ground or layered rock. Compared to other bucket options, a rock and coral rock bucket is heavier with more teeth and wear pads on the bottom of the bucket to increase digging force.

Renting or Buying a Bucket?

It is a good idea to rent your excavator bucket instead of buying a new bucket for your specific needs. If you plan to use your bucket for multiple jobs, you may want to consider purchasing a used excavator bucket to save money. Whether you pursue either option, here are some elements to look for before making any financial decisions:

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1. Cracks or dents: Examine the weld points for cracks or dents in the bucket. If there is a fissure in the welding, you will see a fringe of rust.
2. Rust: Rust is one of the top signs of excessive wear in your bucket. Depending on the severity of the rust, you may be able to refurbish your bucket.
3. Scalloping: Over time, the teeth on a bucket will wear down to resemble a half-moon shape. While these teeth are still operational, they will not be as efficient and may require replacing soon.
4. Fit: Before making any purchasing decisions, your bucket must fit your mini excavator. A bucket that is too heavy will reduce efficiency or damage your machine. Check that your bucket is the right size and weight for your excavator before attaching it to your machine to see if it fits properly. You also have the option to open and close your bucket or dig with your bucket to ensure everything is operating correctly.

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