Benefits to Plant Hire of Bolt-on Side Protectors
When it comes to running a competitive plant hire business, even the smallest changes can yield big results. One smart upgrade that can significantly improve your operating costs, equipment performance and client satisfaction is fitting bolt-on side protectors to your bladed digging buckets. While this might sound like a small tweak, it's actually a cost-effective, high-impact improvement that can help protect your investment, reduce downtime and enhance your reputation in a competitive industry. In this post, we’ll explore four key benefits of fitting Rhinox bolt-on side protectors to your new and existing excavator digging buckets - and how they can help your excavator plant hire company gain and save money.
4 Benefits to Plant Hire of Fitting Bolt-On Side Protectors to Your Bladed Digging Buckets
1. Reduced Replacement Costs
One of the biggest, ongoing expenses for any plant hire company is equipment replacement. Buckets commonly used in abrasive environments are particularly prone to wear and tear. Bladed digging buckets are especially vulnerable because their leading edge lacks the protection that a sidecutter tooth would usually provide. To help combat this issue and make your bladed buckets last up to 3 times longer, Rhinox has designed bolt-on side protectors. These side protectors shield critical, high-wear areas, such as the leading edge and lip plate, helping to preserve the welds from damage. By absorbing the majority of the impact and abrasion, the side protectors prevent premature wear on the bucket itself, saving you from costly and complex repairs, or full bucket replacements. By reducing the frequency of bucket replacements, you can significantly lower your capital expenditure and redirect those savings toward other business priorities.
2. Cost-Effective Maintenance
Maintaining an excavator hire fleet doesn’t need to mean constantly replacing worn-out buckets. When you fit bolt-on side protectors to your bladed digging buckets, maintenance becomes far more cost-effective. Instead of replacing the entire bucket when wear sets in, you can simply reverse or swap out the bolt-on blade and fit a fresh pair of side protectors - and at just a fraction of the cost. This streamlines your ongoing maintenance, helping to keep your equipment in top condition with minimal disruption. Rhinox makes this process even easier by offering replacement side protectors and BladeX packages directly through our online store or by calling or emailing our customer service team. With just a small additional upfront cost you can have greater long-term savings. Bolt-on side protectors and blades offer a smarter, more efficient way to protect your buckets and your bottom line.
3. Improved Equipment Reliability
Reliable equipment is the backbone of any efficient plant hire company, and your digging buckets are no exception. When mini digger and excavator buckets are properly maintained and protected against wear, they perform more consistently and are far less likely to cause unexpected issues on-site. Fitting bolt-on side protectors plays a critical role in this by reinforcing the most vulnerable areas of your bladed digger buckets - ensuring they stay fully functional, even in demanding conditions. By minimising premature wear, you drastically reduce the likelihood of emergency repairs, breakdowns and disruptive site call-outs. This proactive approach to maintenance not only helps you avoid costly downtime but also ensures your customer's projects run smoothly and on schedule. In short, bolt-on side protectors are more than just a wear part - they’re a smart investment in long-term equipment reliability and customer satisfaction.
4. Enhanced Customer Satisfaction
Customer satisfaction is a powerful driver of success in the plant hire industry - and it starts with the quality of the equipment you provide. Supplying reliable, well-maintained excavator attachments not only ensures smoother, more efficient operations for your clients, but also speaks volumes about your company’s professionalism. Fitting bolt-on side protectors to your bladed buckets is a clear sign that you take fleet maintenance seriously and are committed to delivering consistent, high-performing equipment. This level of care builds trust, reinforces your credibility, and helps set you apart in a crowded marketplace. Over time, these small but important details translate into stronger client relationships, repeat business and valuable word-of-mouth referrals - essential for growing your reputation and staying ahead of the competition.
Purchasing your Rhinox Bolt-On Side Protectors
Rhinox bolt-on side protectors are designed to be highly versatile - they’re compatible with a wide range of digging bucket brands across the industry, not just Rhinox buckets. This means you can upgrade your existing bladed digging buckets without needing to overhaul your current setup. These bolt-on side protectors are available for excavators ranging from 1.5 to 8 tons.
Important compatibility note: To fit Rhinox bolt-on side protectors onto a non-Rhinox bucket, your 1.5 to 4 ton bucket must accept a Kubota-style sidecutter tooth, and you 5 to 8 ton must accept a JCB-style sidecutter tooth.
If you’re already using Rhinox digging buckets, our BladeX Heavy Duty package gives you even more value. This package includes both the bolt-on blade and the side protectors, offering a convenient, all-in-one solution for wear protection. You can either choose a Rhinox bladed bucket pre-fitted with side protectors or purchase the side protectors separately to retrofit onto your existing buckets. Upgrading your bucket setup has never been easier. Shop online, reach out to our customer service team or contact your Rhinox sales rep to express interest and take the first step toward a more efficient and reliable fleet.
