dfkrug
Super Member
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2004
- Messages
- 7,584
- Location
- Santa Cruz Mtns, CA
- Tractor
- 05 Kioti CK30HST w/ Prairie Dog backhoe, XN08 mini-X
dirtworksequip said:Bucket choice depends on a lot of varibles. Soil type, trench depth, trench use and machine size.
Soil types: If the soil you are going to be excavating is going to be wet or clay. Stay way from the narrower buckets. The material will stick in the narrow bucket so bad that it will make it ineffective and require you to clean it out frequently with a shovel or track spade. A wider bucket in this type of material will be eaiser to keep clean.
Trench depth: If you have the need to dig deeper than 4' the narrow bucket will do the job, but the ditch will be hard to keep open. This also depends on soil type.
Trench use: What are you installing in the ditch? If it requires you to get into the ditch to make connections............forget the narrow bucket.
Machine size: The max bucket size will be limited to the machine capability. Does the machine have the power to handle the larger bucket. Usually there will be a compatible bucket list for your machine.
Ultimately the size you choose will depend on a combination of the above list.You can't get a bucket that will fit every application just one that will serve your needs most of the time. I look at the narrow buckets of more of a speciality application for trenching only. One of the wider buckets will fit more of an all around application.
I'd lean towards one of the bigger buckets that are rated for your machine and it will cover most job task better than a narrower bucket.
One other thing....... if I need a narrow ditch for a certain application I rent a ride on trencher. Faster per foot, makes good fine backfill material and has less impact on the surrounding ground than digging with a hoe.
Good summary, DirtWorks.
I only use my 12-in bkt, despite owning a 9 and an 18. But I have
very hard soil and rocks.
Let me add that if one buys a 9-in bkt, it will be about useless for the
reason you stated. I highly suggest any owner of such a small bkt
drill a hole or holes in it to help the dirt fall out, by releasing the
suction.