BX Backhoe bucket size?

[Henro]

My son-in-law is thinking about buying a BX 23S I think. He was asking about bucket size for the backhoe. I told him I thought 12 inches would be the minimum size for our area. I use a 16 inch on my B2910 backhoe and I wish I would’ve got a 24 inch.

So I’m just wondering what you guys with BX backhoes think about the 16 inch bucket on a BX. If you were buying a new one would you get the 16 inch or the 12 inch?

 

[NHSleddog]

What kind of work, what kind of material?

If he is mainly moving material, get the biggest bucket possible.

If he is mainly trenching, I would stick to 12" or less.

Personally, I would want a 6" and an 18" on that machine, but digging up here is nasty, so the materials really matter.

 

[Henro]

What kind of work, what kind of material?

If he is mainly moving material, get the biggest bucket possible.

If he is mainly trenching, I would stick to 12" or less.

Personally, I would want a 6" and an 18" on that machine, but digging up here is nasty, so the materials really matter.

Work would be anything you can imagine on mostly wooded 3 acres.

My 10” bucket is often a nightmare with clay soil here in this area...sticks and makes the bucket capacity nearly zero much of the time. To the point I never use it.

I guess I was wondering if the BX has the guts to dig well with the 16 inch bucket, or if anyone who bought a 16 inch bucket regretted it, and why.

Wonder if my 10 inch bucket would fit a BX? Maybe he will get lucky.

 

[dirtydeed]

I had a BX23 (older version) and selected the 12" bucket. That seems to be the most common and appropriate size for that machine. To me, the 8" (they used to offer a 10") was just too small. It wasn't like a high capacity trenching bucket. If he encounters clay frequently, the larger the bucket, the better off he will be. Clay tends to really stick in a narrow bucket and can be pretty frustrating to dig.

I have a 16" on my BH77 (B2650) and it's sized about right for that. I would think it would be a bit large for the BX.

edit: ha, I see you already figured out the issue with clay.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

I'd go with the 16". The BX23S has enough power for it and might be better in clay. I got a 12" on mine 2 years ago and while it's served me well, wider would have been better for moving 'stuff' here and there, digging deep holes in good soil.

 

[NHSleddog]

Work would be anything you can imagine on mostly wooded 3 acres.

My 10” bucket is often a nightmare with clay soil here in this area...sticks and makes the bucket capacity nearly zero much of the time. To the point I never use it.

I guess I was wondering if the BX has the guts to dig well with the 16 inch bucket, or if anyone who bought a 16 inch bucket regretted it, and why.

Wonder if my 10 inch bucket would fit a BX? Maybe he will get lucky.

Ahhhh clay.

Big bucket, and cut a few holes in the back of it to break the vacuum and help release sticky material. Up here that tends to be muddy thick top soil.

 

[greenacresnorth]

I bought my backhoe with the intent of digging out small shrubs and small stumps, 12" has served my very well, it works very good in the clay/rock we have here in western NC mountains.

 

[ravensview]

I also run a 12” size bucket, but I do not have a lot of clay

 

[Redbusdriver]

I have a BX23S and went with the 16 inch bucket. The bucket curl has the most force on the backhoe and I have not regretted it at all, even when digging stumps. I do live in a area of good loam soil, not much clay. If I were to get another bucket it would be a small trencher or even a ripper blade. Were I at my last place that had high clay and a bit of shale the 12 inch would most likely be better. Hope that helps!