Backhoe Bucket size on B21

[Leozepolusa]

I have a 16" bucket on a B21. The bucket does fine digging in relatively soft ground, but the tractor does not have the power to curl the bucket through dense clays. I was wondering if a 12" bucket would improve things significantly. Anyone have advise to offer? Thanks, Leo

 

[BruceWard]

I have a 12" backhoe bucket on mine. it is great in shale and loose rock. i wish it was bigger for dirt and clay and smaller when I find solid rock. A few weeks ago I was trenching for a church project with my B21 and a 6000 mini excavator was working with an 18" bucket. My 4000 pound machine with 12" bucket was digging deeper and faster than the excavator.

With a smaller backhoe bucket you should be able to put same force on a smaller area giving you more pressure per square foot.