I priced my new BX25D with a 12" bucket. When I picked it up it had a 8" bucket on it. the salesman said they usually equip the little tlb with an 8" but he would swap it out for me to a 12" when he put the thumb on it this week. Having never run a backhoe before, I am not sure which is the better option. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
bucket size
- Thread starter bbbagman
- Start date
Unless your diging a foundation for a house or footers for a garage the bucket size on these little Kubotas doesn't really matter. It would depend on what you plan on digging with the backhoe. I would not get to carried away with the width.
Thanks Eric, I will probably opt for the 12" bucket if it won't adversely effect the digging performance.
Take into consideration your soil type and your intended use. For example, digging trenches or digging a hole for septic tank.
If trenching, move as little soil as possible for less work (faster) and neater job. If hole-digging use the largest bucket your machine can handle, taking into account the weight of spoil per bucket. It would be more efficient to fully load a smaller bucket than only be able to lift out a half-bucket of heavy dense clay rock soil.
We've found that if having to flip rocks out of the hole a smaller bucket works better to wiggle around and work the rock loose. Your machine will exert only a certain amout of break-out force based on hydraulic pressure and system design. If all that force is concentrated through fewer teeth on a smaller bucket you get more effective lift capacity.
For these little machines I've always tended toward the smaller buckets. Ten extra minutes digging a tree hole isn't significant compared to wiggling out rocks in 5-acres or digging a few hundred feet of trench for 4-in pipe.
One opinion worth what you paid for it. Advise how you proceed and what you learn so we may all do so also.
If trenching, move as little soil as possible for less work (faster) and neater job. If hole-digging use the largest bucket your machine can handle, taking into account the weight of spoil per bucket. It would be more efficient to fully load a smaller bucket than only be able to lift out a half-bucket of heavy dense clay rock soil.
We've found that if having to flip rocks out of the hole a smaller bucket works better to wiggle around and work the rock loose. Your machine will exert only a certain amout of break-out force based on hydraulic pressure and system design. If all that force is concentrated through fewer teeth on a smaller bucket you get more effective lift capacity.
For these little machines I've always tended toward the smaller buckets. Ten extra minutes digging a tree hole isn't significant compared to wiggling out rocks in 5-acres or digging a few hundred feet of trench for 4-in pipe.
One opinion worth what you paid for it. Advise how you proceed and what you learn so we may all do so also.
Thanks Stubbyie. Your response addresses what my concerns were..... Performance trade off for a larger bucket .
I really do not have a specific use for the backhoe. I could see using the thumb with the bucket to pick stuff up just as much as I use it to dig... I would think the larger bucket would be better for that ?????
I own some land and wanted to buy something that would help me improve and maintain some of the residential properties I have for sale. I also mounted a Kubota 60" Mid Mount Mower to it to help mow these lots. As I have property spread out across the state, I will encounter different soil types. I live in eastern NC and the soil here is loam to sandy loam mostly. I have subdivisions that are located4 hours west were the soil is that red clay dirt stuff. The 8" bucket might work better for these ????
I realize there is no " one size fits all " but I was trying to get the most versatile bucket from the start to try and avoid having to buy another one in the near future.
Thank you for reading my post and taking time to respond.
I really do not have a specific use for the backhoe. I could see using the thumb with the bucket to pick stuff up just as much as I use it to dig... I would think the larger bucket would be better for that ?????
I own some land and wanted to buy something that would help me improve and maintain some of the residential properties I have for sale. I also mounted a Kubota 60" Mid Mount Mower to it to help mow these lots. As I have property spread out across the state, I will encounter different soil types. I live in eastern NC and the soil here is loam to sandy loam mostly. I have subdivisions that are located4 hours west were the soil is that red clay dirt stuff. The 8" bucket might work better for these ????
I realize there is no " one size fits all " but I was trying to get the most versatile bucket from the start to try and avoid having to buy another one in the near future.
Thank you for reading my post and taking time to respond.
I'm not sure that weight of the spoils is an issue...
I know a fellow who had a 20" bucket made for his BX24. He has no problems with it, has not taken it off since he got it.
He says it gives him less of a problem with sticky clay staying in the bucket.
It all depends on what you're gonna dig... narrow trenches or big holes.
Pete
I know a fellow who had a 20" bucket made for his BX24. He has no problems with it, has not taken it off since he got it.
He says it gives him less of a problem with sticky clay staying in the bucket.
It all depends on what you're gonna dig... narrow trenches or big holes.
Pete
Thanks for the response Pete. I understand your point but does as you go with a larger bucket does the efficiency of the bucket to break through the tougher clay suffer ? I think I am going to go with the twelve inch bucket....
Last edited:
bbbagman, I personally have the 12" on my BX24... I have no problem digging into what we have for earth on our property.
Admittedly, when I get down to clay, it's usually moist, so my biggest issue is as I alluded to earlier, wet clay sticking in the bucket. I think the wider bucket would minimize this problem.
Pete
Admittedly, when I get down to clay, it's usually moist, so my biggest issue is as I alluded to earlier, wet clay sticking in the bucket. I think the wider bucket would minimize this problem.
Pete
Thank you Pete and bx25owner ... Salesman called Friday.. My thumb an 12" bucket will be there Monday !!!!
Thanks to all who responded. I really appreciate every response.
Thanks to all who responded. I really appreciate every response.