10 Different Types of Excavator Buckets

The construction industry is constantly growing and changing to keep up with the needs and demands of the users and operators in it. Where having the correct equipment for the job is essential. So, choosing the appropriate excavator bucket for your machines are necessary to efficiently tackle the specifications of the job and the type of material you are handling. There are now a huge selection of different types of buckets, so you might not know where to start if you're new or just looking to try something else. We have complied a list of 10 Different types of Excavator Buckets and what we believe are their best uses.

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1. Digging Bucket

Also known as a general purpose excavator bucket, the digging bucket is the attachment you will most likely recognise. Digging buckets are the most common bucket provided with mini diggers and excavators when buying or hiring. It's primary use is what the name suggests - bulk digging through soil and rubble in construction, landscaping or groundworks environments.

The digging bucket is most commonly seen with fitted with teeth to help penetrate tougher, more compact ground. The teeth break through the material allowing you to scrape it into the bucket to be moved or removed. They're also becoming popular to be fitted with a blade for creating a flat bottom to your trench or to be used around utilities. The general purpose digging bucket usually comes in a large variety of widths to best suit the job at hand. For example, Rhinox mini digging buckets are available for 0.75 to 25 ton excavators, in 6", 9", 12", 18" and 24" to best suit the application, whether that be digging a small ditch or clearing a larger area.

2. Rock Bucket

Although a durable bucket, the standard digging bucket may not always be the most suitable bucket for your digging job. The rock bucket is a heavy duty version of the standard digging bucket. Rock buckets are reinforced with much stronger and thicker wear plates to add 'bulk' to the bucket and are fitted with sharper teeth. These modifications reinforce the bucket for use in much harsher conditions and help penetrate solid materials. A popular use is continuous breaking up of rocks and extremely abrasive, compact materials, like in quarries. Rock buckets are currently not available at Rhinox.

3. Utility Bucket

The utility bucket is a modification of the standard digging bucket, featuring the addition of the Uni-tusk - a rounded edge, bolt-on blade. The Uni-tusk is a Rhinox invention and was initially created to help protect utility workers when digging near utilities as it deflects cables away from the bucket. The unique Uni-tusk blade system has been manufactured as a bolt-on edge option to replace teeth or standard bolt-on blade options. As well as, the improved safety for utility works, the rounded, cast steel blade locks the side plates and lip plate in place, to increase the structural integrity of your bucket. It is also heat treated to 550 HB to further maximise the wear strength for continuous digging in harsh conditions.

4. Grading Bucket

The grading bucket is known by a wide variety of names, including: dyking bucket, finishing bucket or ditching bucket. The grading bucket is a wide, shallow bucket used for levelling and profiling the ground. The low profile shell design was designed to increase the width of the bucket without increasing the weight, as not to overload your excavator.

As mentioned, these buckets are best used for profiling, particularly softer materials and aggregates. The wider shell enables you to cover a wider distance in one motion. These buckets create a smooth finish to the material you're profiling due to the flat edge of the bucket, as well as the flat bottom. But they can also be used for a variety of other tasks such as: cleaning ditches, loading material, back-filling and sloping. The grading bucket is commonly fitted with a bolt-on blade to strengthen the lip plate and provide additional resistance against wear to prolong the life of your bucket. Grading buckets are available in a wide variety of widths to suit your excavator size. For example, Rhinox mini grading buckets are available for 0.75 to 25 ton excavators, in 30" to 84" wide.

5. Tilt Grading Bucket

The tilt grading bucket is exactly what the name suggests, it is a grading bucket that has the ability to tilt. A tilting bucket is the solution to grading and profiling on an angle. They're manufactured with a hydraulic hook up to allow them to tilt from left to right, providing greater flexibility when working on more complex forms and shapes, such as levelling slopes, cleaning ditches and maintaining sloped landscapes. The Rhinox tilt grading bucket is manufactured with 1 ram to allow you to tilt 45 degrees in both directions and plugs straight into your standard auxiliary or hammer hydraulics making it quick and easy to attach them ready to use.

6. V Bucket

The V ditching bucket is a triangular shaped bucket, designed to form clean sided, sloped drainage trenches. These V shaped dyking buckets are also commonly used for digging V shaped trenches used for laying pipes and cables across large plots of land. These buckets are usually manufactured for larger excavators due to the complex design required to create the trapezium shape. Currently, Rhinox do not manufacture v buckets but some of the popular manufacturers of this bucket on the market include Bucket Warehouse and Digbits.

7. Frost Bucket / Hardpan Bucket

A frost bucket or hardpan bucket looks and performs similarly to a rock bucket but has a bonus feature...a ripper tooth style attachment fitted to the reverse of the bucket. Depending on the manufacturers design, they might fit multiple of these ripper teeth features, with the purpose of these to further increase the digging ability. They provide additional penetration to help break up extremely compacted grounds, where your standard digging or rock bucket can't quite cut it - helping to loosen rocks and other aggregates as the bucket curls round. Rhinox do not manufacture frost buckets.

8. Micro Trenching Bucket

The micro trenching bucket, also known as a deep dig or fibre optic bucket, is a deeper, narrower bucket than any other. The micro trenching bucket was initially designed for digging narrow trenches for the installation of fibre optic cables but is now used for a variety of applications, such as laying standard cables, pipes and irrigation. The main benefit of the micro trenching bucket is the time spent digging, backfilling and remediating surfaces. The amount of time taken to dig out the initial trench is drastically reduced alongside a reduction in the amount of time spent backfilling the area you have dug out. You can also save large amounts of money on materials usually required to reinstate the surface to it's initial condition, such as retarmacking a public footpath. Rhinox micro trenching buckets are available for 0.75 to 4 ton mini diggers, in 3", 4", 5" and 6" widths at depths of 400mm and 700mm (15" and 27").

9. Riddle Bucket

The riddle bucket is also referred to as the skeleton bucket due to its design or a shaker bucket due to the action required to use it. Riddle buckets are manufactured with a slotted back and used for separating different sizes of material, for example removing bricks and roots from soil. They are primarily used on building sites to remove larger aggregates from the ground to be reused or recycled. Most often, it's more cost effective to separate the aggregates on-site and arrange for their collection or repurposing, rather than disposing of them as mixed aggregates. Rhinox riddle buckets are manufactured using a similar design to our standard digging buckets which allows us to produce a variety of sizes, from 24" to 60" wide, to suit 0.75 to 25 ton excavators.

10. Rake Riddle Bucket

The rake riddle bucket is a combination of your standard land clearance rake and a riddle bucket. Also known as the rake bucket, the rake riddle bucket is a shallow bucket with a slotted back and narrow tines along the front edge. As the name suggest, the rake riddle bucket allows you to rake through materials in the ground like tree roots or brambles and then riddle the material of bricks and larger rocks in one movement. The rake riddle bucket is designed to save you money as you not only save space required to store two separate excavator attachments, you also save money on purchasing and maintaining two separate attachments. Rhinox rake riddles buckets are currently available for 0.75 to 8 ton excavators.

In conclusion, excavator buckets come in various shapes and sizes, each tailored to meet specific construction, excavation and landscaping challenges. From standard digging buckets to specialised attachments for rock excavation, grading and trenching, these versatile tools are essential for maximising efficiency and productivity on sites, as well as saving you money on repairing or replacing damaged buckets. Understanding the unique features and applications of different types of excavator buckets ensures smooth and successful project execution.

A proper construction site is hard to imagine without an excavator, here are the top 10 must-have attachments for the next project.

Switching out attachments can quickly transform an excavator from a jackhammer to a mower and the best part is that there are options for excavators of every size. Let&#;s take a look at the essential attachments that give excavators the versatility and flexibility they&#;re famous for. 

Auger Drills

Auger drills are indispensable tools for excavators, designed with a spiral mechanism that efficiently drills holes into various materials. These drills, resembling giant screws, penetrate the ground with a rotating motion and lift the excavated material, leaving a clear and precise hole behind. One of their key advantages is their versatility, allowing for use on different terrains, including earth, pavement, wood, or even ice.

What sets auger drills apart is their adaptability, available in sizes ranging from 4 inches to 4 feet, with digging depths extending up to 33 feet. This makes them ideal for a multitude of tasks, from planting trees and creating foundational pillars to constructing robust foundations. Whether your project involves drilling straight downward into different materials, auger drills stand out as versatile and reliable tools, proving invaluable in the realm of construction.

Buckets

The quintessential attachment for an excavator is the bucket, crafted from robust steel and featuring teeth along its front edge for effective ground penetration. Buckets are versatile, available in various shapes and sizes, and are the expected attachment on an excavator. While their primary function is material scooping and movement, selecting the right bucket for the task enhances an excavator's efficiency.

Several popular bucket types cater to specific needs:

1. General bucket: Maximize material filling and handle light-duty grading and leveling.

2. Dirt bucket: Durable and designed for digging, moving rocks, and handling dirt.

3. Rock bucket: Ideal for stone and gravel handling, allowing soil to sift through the bottom.

4. Heavy-duty bucket: Suited for moving sturdy materials, road construction, and leveling rough terrains.

5. Light material bucket: Perfect for removing light materials like snow, offering higher capacity.

6. Low-profile bucket: Compact for tight spaces, featuring a longer lip and lower back for enhanced visibility and precision.

Choosing the right bucket is crucial, whether for rock removal or debris pickup. The proper bucket enhances operator productivity, reduces operating costs, and ensures that an excavator performs optimally for specific tasks.

Trenchers

For precision in digging tasks, especially when creating trenches, opting for a trencher proves to be a superior choice over a conventional bucket. Lionel Smitka, the marketing manager at Digga Australia, a leading machinery attachment manufacturer, highly recommends trenchers as a top choice for excavator attachments. According to Smitka, using a trencher on an excavator translates to significant time and cost savings.

Trenchers specialize in digging trenches exclusively, making them much faster than alternative attachments like buckets for such purposes. To illustrate, the time and fuel required for multiple excavators with buckets to dig a trench can be surpassed by a single trencher. Moreover, trenchers refine backfilling, ensuring a smoother return to the trench without sinkage.

An often overlooked advantage is the trencher's ability to operate in close proximity to buildings and other structures, making them ideal for challenging trenching jobs. Their versatility extends to handling rockier soil types, allowing their use in utility installations, footings, and irrigation systems.

Despite their reliability and efficiency, Smitka notes that trenchers are often underrated among excavator attachments, with some contractors still relying on buckets for trenching. To gain a competitive edge, Smitka suggests embracing trenchers more frequently for construction projects. 

Compactors

When the task at hand involves compacting the ground, the go-to tool is a compactor. However, the key to selecting the right compactor lies in understanding and identifying the soil type. Granular soil, comprising particles like sand and gravel, tends to crumble easily. When subjected to vibration energy during compaction, there's reduced friction, and the particles settle in a way that restricts movement. In such cases, a plate compactor proves to be the more suitable choice.

A typical plate compactor features a flat plate that swiftly moves on the ground. The rapid impacts, coupled with the weight of the plate, effectively compress the ground beneath. The ability to rotate up to 360 degrees makes plate compactors ideal for working in narrow trenches or reaching areas inaccessible to rollers.

On the flip side, cohesive soil, which contains more clay, demands a different approach. This type of soil requires more impact force to knead out air and excess water for effective compression. For this purpose, a wheel compactor with roller bearings becomes the preferred tool. While some contractors may opt for manual soil compression, using a compactor proves to be a more time-saving, cost-effective, and efficient approach.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of excavator clam shell bucket. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Couplers

Efficiency at a construction site hinges on having the right tools, and a coupler stands out as a game-changer. Offering swift attachment changes, couplers allow you to seamlessly switch from a bucket to a compactor, saving valuable time. Notably, a glass recycler in South Carolina utilizing hydraulic couplers for their heavy equipment has reported saving up to half an hour during attachment changes.

This time-saving aspect is particularly crucial in construction projects where frequent changes are the norm. Hydraulic couplers, also known as quick couplers, not only streamline the process but also enable operators to work without leaving the cab, enhancing convenience. On the other hand, some contractors may find mechanical couplers more cost-effective if they don't frequently change attachments. However, it's essential to note that with mechanical couplers, operators need to leave the cab for each attachment change, requiring two employees and potentially introducing some inconvenience.

Despite this, continuous development in coupler technology aims at improving performance and safety. When deciding between hydraulic and mechanical couplers, the choice ultimately boils down to what makes the most sense for the company and the specific requirements of a project.

Various Grapples

Grapples, although more commonly associated with forestry tasks, have found their utility on construction sites as well. Characterized by two sizable claw-like clamps operated hydraulically, these attachments can rotate and move at various angles, enabling the lifting and transportation of heavy materials regardless of size or shape.

The precision and power inherent in grapples make them invaluable for a range of tasks, including demolition, trash removal, and land clearing. However, it's crucial to underscore the importance of maintenance, especially for grapples. Regular upkeep is essential, as the fingers on the clamp can wear out over time and may need replacement.

Neglecting proper maintenance for grapples poses risks, as a worn-out attachment may lose its grip, introducing potential dangers when handling heavy materials. In essence, grapples emerge as versatile attachments capable of managing various materials, suitable for both straightforward and more robust applications, provided they receive the necessary care and attention.

Hammers

Hammers or breakers serve as specialized attachments designed for breaking up materials, offering a diverse range of options to cater to specific needs. When selecting the right hammer, the choice hinges on the material at hand, and here are the three primary types:

1. Blunt Tool

1. Purpose: Ideal for breaking oversized materials with impact braking.

2. Mechanism: Delivers a high impact over a larger area.

3. Application: Best suited for large-scale demolition where penetration requires a broad impact.

2. Chisel Tool

1. Purpose: Used for penetration breaking when removing large pieces of material is required.

2. Mechanism: Concentrates energy on a small working area for precise breaking.

3. Application: Well-suited for trenching and utility work where the focus is on breaking materials into manageable chunks.

3. Moil Tool

1. Purpose: Primarily employed for the demolition of rebarred concrete.

2. Mechanism: Penetrates through mesh wires, making it effective for breaking down concrete buildings and structures.

3. Application: Particularly useful for tasks requiring precise and controlled demolition, especially in scenarios involving reinforced concrete.

In summary, the versatility of hammers becomes apparent as they offer tailored solutions for different breaking needs, ensuring efficient and controlled demolition across various materials and applications.

Flail Mower

Attaching a flail mower to your mini excavator empowers you to effortlessly clear overgrown areas, extending from highway roadsides to riverbanks. Flail mowers excel at handling vegetation on diverse terrains, including hillsides, ditches, and trails, showcasing their adaptability. The combination of the mini excavator's long reach and the flail mower's rotating knives proves highly effective in clearing any landscape.

One notable advantage of flail mowers is their safety feature. The rotating flail knives have the ability to bounce off hard objects like rocks, mitigating potential hazards. This contrasts with regular mowers that may throw rocks, posing risks to people and structures and causing damage.

Flail mowers are available in various sizes and configurations, but their primary function remains consistent&#;preparing the land by efficiently clearing thick trees and shrubbery. The versatility of flail mowers, coupled with their safety benefits, positions them as valuable attachments for land preparation, ensuring optimal results in vegetation clearance across different terrains.

Rakes

Rakes, another crucial attachment for land preparation, share a similarity with grapples in their utilization of fingers, or tines, available in varying sizes and spacing. These evenly spaced tines play a pivotal role in smoothing out the soil during the land preparation process.

With a rake attachment, you gain the capability to clear additional debris and break up substantial material chunks, effectively grooming the site for subsequent work. Providers often distinguish between general-purpose and land clearance rakes. The former is ideal for covering a wide area swiftly where significant digging power is unnecessary to break up the soil.

Land clearance rakes, in contrast, come with varied gaps between tines, catering to different types of work. For tasks involving large debris such as rocks, thicker tines with larger gaps are preferred. However, it's essential to find a rake with a tiny gap that prevents clogging while efficiently handling the specific demands of the job.

Rake attachments prove indispensable for extensive and efficient land clearing jobs, offering simplicity in use alongside their multifunctionality. 

Rippers

Rippers play a pivotal role as the initial force breaking through tough or frozen terrains. These attachments boast a straightforward design, featuring a pointed end reminiscent of a dinosaur tooth, allowing them to cut powerfully through various types of hardened ground.

Contractors favor rippers when confronted with challenging terrains like rock, shale, or permafrost due to their exceptional ability to penetrate such hard surfaces. Besides their effectiveness, rippers are a preferred choice for breaking ground because of their ease and speed of operation, coupled with their near-silent operation.

When faced with challenging soils, utilizing specialized attachments like rippers proves to be more cost-efficient and productive. Unlike traditional buckets that might crack when attempting to dig into the frozen ground, investing in a ripper attachment ensures longevity and sustained efficiency in overcoming challenging terrains.

Hydraulic Thumbs

When dealing with irregularly shaped materials that don't conform to the confines of a bucket, a hydraulic thumb becomes an invaluable attachment. This large clamp is seamlessly connected to a bucket, effectively securing and stabilizing loads for efficient material transportation and removal, ultimately enhancing overall productivity.

Ease of operation is a hallmark of hydraulic thumbs, as operators can effortlessly control them using a thumbwheel stick on the joystick, adjusting the clamping speed with precision. This user-friendly design ensures that operators can easily adapt to various tasks without unnecessary complexity.

Hydraulic thumbs go beyond mere clamping; they provide additional grip, allowing operators to finely control the pressure applied to objects, preventing unintended damage. This versatility makes hydraulic thumbs suitable for a wide range of applications. Whether engaged in utility installation, landscaping, demolition, road construction, or forestry, hydraulic thumbs prove to be indispensable tools, enabling operators to securely grasp objects of diverse shapes and sizes.

Conclusion 

Excavators, versatile workhorses in construction, derive their operational prowess from strategic attachments. A quick change in attachment transforms an excavator from digging to brush cutting, showcasing its adaptability. The key to optimizing an excavator's potential lies in selecting the right attachment for the specific task at hand. With Bonovo's extensive range of excavator attachments, tailored solutions await every construction need&#;simply determine your work requirements, and the perfect attachment awaits.