Backhoe Bucket Size

[GWTodd]

I've trolled the site a while now and will post my first question for community input. I have seen similar questions but wanted input based on what I need to do.

Buying a B3300SU with the BH76. The question is bucket size.

My land is 23 acres wooded, mixed type -- some old growth and some sorta new. Looking at old satellite photos of the land, it looks like parts of it were pasture 20 years ago. Walking these parts is tough. It's dense with a few big trees, but mostly stuff less than 6 inches. I will clear land with chainsaw and will use BH for larger stump removal. BH job #1 -- smaller bucket better I think here -- 9"-12" mech thumb will be great. Ideas and comments??

There is a creek cutting almost dead straight (thank goodness it's straight) through the center of the flat area. It's carved about a 12 foot wide by 6 foot deep trench. I will first need to take down some of the side and grade down into the creekbed on both sides so I can then drive through the creekbed to get basic access. I will have to add some rip rap to the base as well. BH job #2 is carving the creek access -- larger bucket better here I think -- 16"-18". Ideas and comments??

I will hire a dozer to do rough work in scraping out a pond and push dirt to dam up creek. Then will lay culvert pipe and cover at mid part of dam for water to flow. BH job #3 -- larger bucker here I think -- Ideas and Comments??

I will trench for utility service. BH job #4 -- smaller bucket here -- Ideas and comments??

I will dig for foundation footing for shop and small house. BH job #5 -- larger bucket here -- ideas and comments??

Can I get by with one bucket? Say 12" or do I need to pay for two??

I know I can hire out some of the larger work, but I hope people here understand that part of my goal is to do work myself. I don't mind being slow. Some stuff I MUST hire out, but if I can do it, I wanna do it. All advice is welcome. And sorry for the long question.

 

[SLHawkins]

GWTodd,
First of all, welcome!

Generally speaking, you can get by with one bucket, unless you are trying to do some sort of specialty work. You'll find that when you take your time, you can accomplish most tasks with the tools on-hand. If you can afford both, by all means get 'em. For the most part, the hydrualics will determine the size of the job. The buckets just determine how much material you can move with each scoop!

Hawk

 

[JerryK]

I did a lot of looking at posts about a year ago before I bought my hoe. Bigger buckets tend to clean themselves out better when dumping, and clay can really plug them up just about any size. If you are just moving dirt, bigger is better... stumping, smaller puts less side to side forces on your bucket pins. I am mostly sand and gravel...and went with an 18", but would have bought a 20" if they offered it. Some people commented that, for foundations, you need the trench wide enough for both you and the blocks. Lots of posts to read, Jerry....

Mahindra/Bradco only offered Super Duty buckets in 12", 16, 18, 24, 34, 36,and 38" for my ho...that enters into the equation, too. If you are going to be moving 12" chunks of stuff, you need a bigger bucket so they don't get wedged into it. 16"-18" is not that big when you are moving 'stuff'. But it is huge if you are just burying a half inch conduit.....

 

[s219]

Can you afford to get multiple buckets? If not, then I'd probably go 12" for overall versatility, but it really depends on the dirt type in your area. It would be decent for everything but narrow trenches.

For the utility trench, you may almost be better with a proper trencher (ie, Ditch Witch) that you can rent for cheap and be done in 1/2 to 1 day. They make quick work of trenching for utility lines and pipes -- much quicker than a backhoe, and easier to clean up afterwards.

If you have a lot of tree roots or rocks in the ground, then I might say the backhoe would be better for those sections, but you'll likely end up with a lot wider trench than you need and it will take longer to do.

Keep an eye on the weather when running long trenches that might take a while to complete. I once did an irrigation project during the spring, and we had so much rain, all the trenches filled up with water. I actually had to pump them out to finish the project. In retrospect, I would have waited for a drier spell of weather.

 

[JerryK]

Another thing to consider is that the bucket size is usually what width trench it makes. My 18" bucket [outside dimension] is only 17" inside, and the mouth tapers to 15" at the pins. If a 12" was made simularly... it would only be 11" down by the teeth and maybe only 9" by the pins. I relize that all manufactures buckets are made different, but I have too many rocks that would plug up a 12". Got some that would plug up a 38" bucket, but they are few and far inbetween...

 

[Birdman1970]

I had the same question regarding my BH77 on my B3200HSD.

I opted for the 16" bucket as it seemed to be the all-around most versatile size. 12" looked too small (I saw one installed at the dealer).

There are a few instances when I think a 18" of 24" could come in handy (when wanting to move a great deal of earth), but hte 16" seemed to be a good fit for general use.

 

[jmckay]

I have the 12 inch bucket with the mechanical thumb on my B76 I have dug out 18 stumps, put in 2 leech fields, and one French drain. For the normal landscape work it's been a wonderful tool

The 12 inch bucket also worked out great for the backhoe dolly I made out of moving dollies and angle iron. It fits right in there. Not the determining factor but it was very cool when it fit

I think no matter what you do get the mechanical thumb. That thing is worth it's weight in gold whe you get to picking up stumps and cleaning up the aftermath

 

[Code54]

I owned a 12" on a previous tractor (about your size) and it was a bit too small, looking back I should have got a 16". The 12" plugged with clay pretty often and was sort of slow.
Also don't discount the idea of renting a mini track hoe with a larger bucket to do the creek and some stumps. For $250 a day around here you can get a nice size machine (8000- 9000lbs range)and do a TON of work. They are MUCH faster and can rip out some decent size stumps (much quicker than a smaller tractor hoe). You can get a lot done, save your machine, and have some fun while you are at it!

 

[GWTodd]

I owned a 12" on a previous tractor (about your size) and it was a bit too small, looking back I should have got a 16". The 12" plugged with clay pretty often and was sort of slow.
Also don't discount the idea of renting a mini track hoe with a larger bucket to do the creek and some stumps. For $250 a day around here you can get a nice size machine (8000- 9000lbs range)and do a TON of work. They are MUCH faster and can rip out some decent size stumps (much quicker than a smaller tractor hoe). You can get a lot done, save your machine, and have some fun while you are at it!

Good thoughts. I do have access to a pretty good rental place, so I'll check to see what they have.

It does sound like most everyone agrees with my dealer -- that the 16" should be the one. I do have quite a bit of clay where I'll be digging.

 

[Code54]

Check with everyone on a rental, the prices around here are all over the place. Our local Bobcat dealer was one of the best - I figured it would be the "little" places but I was wrong! Also learned they have a little room to "work" with you one prices. I had them throw in free delivery and pickup so it saved me some hassle.

The one I rented and had for 8 hrs.
Took out 1 stump that was about 32" across (Massive - pulled it out of the hole, dug the hole deeper and shoved it back in the hole upside down)
Dug two drain lines 3' deep and about 30 foot long each
Took down about 10 trees around 4-6"
Dug out a small area for a water feature for the wife
Dug out a about 10 small (6"ish) stumps
Took down a 20" across tree that was within 10 foot of my house (the tree guy wanted $600 just for that) - dig around base and push up high, VERY easy
Did some little dumb stuff - hole here and there, drag some dirt behind a wall, etc
All in 8 hrs. This was the best idea I had in a long time. It would have taken me forever to get all that stuff done and in one day it was all behind me. I as amazed at the power and ability of a small Mini Ex.