When it comes to fitting excavator buckets and attachments, many operators wonder if there is a universal standard that applies to all machines. This guide will address the common question of whether excavator buckets are universal and provide a detailed explanation of how to determine the right bucket for your specific digger. By understanding the intricacies of bucket fitments and the essential measurements required, you can ensure that you select the correct equipment for your excavator, optimising performance and efficiency on the job site.
It's important to remember that digger bucket sizes will effect how your excavator will perform. The larger excavator buckets are generally heavier because they require more material to be manufactured. This also means that larger excavator buckets can hold more material which will further increase the weight when operating. Diggers equipped with oversized buckets are prone to tipping over, which can damage the machine, endanger the operator, and pose a risk to anyone nearby. On the other hand, smaller buckets, such as the 6” digging bucket, are difficult to find from suppliers or manufacturers. This is because the 6” bucket is typically too narrow to mount hangers with enough dipper gap for the machine's arm to fit through. However, Rhinox has developed a 6” bucket that can be easily fitted onto many mini diggers. At Rhinox, we also offer 3" to 6" digging buckets, known as deep dig or micro trenching buckets. Learn more about micro trenching buckets.
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In short; no, excavator buckets are not universal. However, there are times where machine fitments are often crossed over, so buckets that fit on one excavator will also work on other excavators. For example, a standard JCB 801 bucket, will fit on a standard Kubota KX36 machine, or a Bobcat X335 will also fit a Volvo ECR58 machine. To complicate matters further, when you start to look at larger excavators, such as 12 ton and 20 ton machines, they are often fitted with a hydraulic quick couplers which feature a travelling latch. This means that the buckets that can be used on this machine are almost always universal, as the hydraulic hitch will pick up the slack between the pin dimensions of different sized buckets. |
To determine which buckets and attachments fit your excavator, you need to know the pin dimensions of your machine. Specifically, you must measure three dimensions: Pin Diameter, Pin Centres, and Dipper Gap. For this, you will need an excavator bucket or attachment that you know fits your machine, along with a tape measure or ruler. We recommend using a measuring device that can measure in millimetres (mm) for greater accuracy. When purchasing buckets, attachments, or hitches from a manufacturer, these pin dimensions will be requested to determine the precise model that will fit your mini digger or excavator. If you don't have an attachment available, follow the steps in the video below to learn how to measure your excavator without any buckets.
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If you would like to purchase a Rhinox bucket or attachment to match your digger dimensions, you can shop online today via our pin dimensions search tool, or via the machine make and model tab at the top of the page. If in doubt, don't hesitate to get in touch with us and one of our team will be happy to discuss this with you.