A question we often get asked is 'What is the narrowest bucket I can fit on my digger?'. There are many different bucket sizes that are available for your digger / excavator so in this post we will summarise what is the narrowest digging bucket you can fit on a range of different size machines and alternatives to the standard digging bucket that will help save you time and money, making you more efficient. Keep reading to find out more.
Probably the biggest deciding factor of the narrowest bucket available to suit a particular machine is the width of the arm of the digger. Simply put, the bucket can't be narrower than the arm, otherwise there is nothing to mount the bucket hangers to. Roughly speaking the following guide is the narrowest you can fit on each machine size range:
Digger Weight |
Width (Inches) |
Width (MM) |
| 1.5 Ton | 6 Inches | 150 mm |
| 3 Ton | 9 Inches | 230 mm |
| 5 Ton | 12 Inches | 300 mm |
| 8 Ton | 12 Inches | 300 mm |
| 13 Ton | 12 Inches | 300 mm |
| 20 Ton | 18 Inches | 450 mm |
This is just a guide - there are a few machines in each range that break these norms. Even with this in mind, it is worth bearing in mind some other factors - these include whether the machine is fitted with a quick hitch. Simply put, if the machine is fitted with the hitch, it normally sits wider than the arm, so whilst you may be able to fit a narrow bucket on the hitch you will probably find the hitch sits wider than the bucket again limiting how narrow you can effectively dig.
In some instances, there are cases where a really narrow trench is required. Often this is because operators are trying to minimise the reinstatement cost, or minimise the disruption caused when laying pipes of utility cables.
Rhinox have developed a work around in this case, known as a Deep Dig Bucket or Micro Trenching bucket. These buckets were originally developed for use on Virgin Media and BT Openreach Fibre Optic broadband contracts, but have since found a wide range of uses including installing water pipes across fields and through caravan parks, or installing irrigation for gardens or golf courses. The way these buckets work is that they are longer than a standard bucket, but they have a flat plate at the top, which allows the bucket to be narrower than the hangers.
The Rhinox Micro Trenching Bucket is available in a range of different widths and depths, check out our full range in the table below. If you want more information on these buckets, click here.
Widths Available for 15" Depth |
Widths Available for 27" Depth |
| 3" wide, 15" depth | 3" wide, 27" depth |
| 4" wide, 15" depth | 4" wide, 27" depth |
| 5" wide, 15" depth | 5" wide, 27" depth |
| 6" wide, 27" depth |