Hitachi Low Profile Excavator Buckets
There are many different makes and models of excavator buckets and attachments on the market, which ultimately means the attachment design can vary dramatically. This usually depends on the type of attachment, the brand of excavator and the manufacturer. Among the various designs available, low profile excavator buckets have gained significant attention for their unique benefits, particularly in terms of performance and efficiency. Designed to work seamlessly with Hitachi excavators, low profile buckets offer a range of advantages over traditional designs. In this post, we will explore what low profile buckets are, the key benefits they bring and how Rhinox’s Hitachi low profile buckets stand out in the market for their durability, design and functionality.
What are Low Profile Buckets? What Are the Benefits?In recent years, the excavator manufacturer - Hitachi - started to supply low profile digging buckets with their excavators. The low profile bucket design is used to improve the efficiency of your loading and unloading due to the shallow positioning of the pins. With the pins set lower, your excavator's breakout force is increased, giving you more power and precision compared to a standard bucket. The bucket pins are welded directly into the hangers, eliminating the need for extra bosses or bolts like you’d find with bolt-in pins, making the bucket lighter and reducing strain on your digger. |
Low Profile Excavator Buckets VS Standard Excavator Buckets
Choosing between a low profile bucket and a standard bucket depends on the type of work you're doing and how your digger is set up. Rhinox standard Hitachi buckets are ideal for general purpose use and are a reliable option for a wide range of digging and loading tasks. The traditional design allows for direct mounting to your excavator by removing the pins, eliminating the need for a quick hitch. With bolt-in pins, they’re easy to replace, helping to minimise any downtime on site.
On the other hand, Rhinox low profile Hitachi buckets are designed to enhance your machine’s performance, especially when it comes to precision digging and efficient loading or unloading. The shallower pin position increases breakout force, providing more power at the bucket tip for tackling tough ground. These buckets are also lighter due to their welded pin design, which reduces strain on your excavator and improves fuel efficiency. However, low profile buckets do require a quick hitch, as the pins cannot be removed. No special hitch is needed - these buckets will fit your standard quick hitch. One downside of low profile bucket is that replacing worn pins is more challenging with low profile buckets due to the welded design. If the pins need replacing, they would have to be ground out and rewelded, which can be both costly and time-consuming.
Rhinox's Hitachi Low Profile Excavator Buckets - Sizes & Stand-out Features
At Rhinox, we manufacture a wide range of excavator buckets, attachments, and hitches, including the highly sought-after Hitachi low profile digging buckets. Specifically designed for use on Hitachi mini excavators ranging from 1.5 to 6 tons, our low profile buckets are OEM approved and are held in stock for immediate dispatch. One of the key advantages of choosing Rhinox is our lifetime guarantee on the welds, ensuring that every weld is crafted to the highest standards for lasting durability. Additionally, we offer a machine fitment guarantee, so you can be confident that our buckets will fit your Hitachi mini excavator perfectly. Check out some of the standout features of our low profile excavator buckets below.
Rhinox Hitachi Low Profile Digging Bucket Sizes
Bucket Width |
9" Wide |
12" Wide |
18" Wide |
24" Wide |
30" Wide |
36" Wide |
| 1.5 Ton | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| 2-4 Ton | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 5-6 Ton | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Low Profile Hangers & Weld-in Pins
As briefly mentioned above, low profile buckets feature weld-in pins, this means that the bucket pins are welded directly into the hangers, eliminating the need for extra bosses or bolts like you’d find with bolt-in pins. This design makes the bucket lighter and reduces the strain on your digger. Due to the fixed pin design, these buckets must be used with a quick hitch as the pins cannot be removed to direct mount to your excavator. But, no custom hitch is needed - the standard quick hitch for your machine will be fully compatible with these buckets.
Hardened Lip Plate & Edge Options
The lip plates on Rhinox low profile buckets are hardened to HB250 for added durability, helping your bucket perform at its best and last longer in tough, abrasive conditions. You can choose between two cutting edge options: bolt-on teeth or a bolt-on blade. The 1.5 to 4 ton models come with Kubota-style teeth, while the 5 to 6 ton models are fitted with JCB-style teeth. The bolt-on blade is also hardened to HB250 for extended lifespan and features a double bevel edge design, allowing you to rotate it once one side is worn down. For even greater protection, you can pair the bolt-on blade with Rhinox bolt-on side protectors. These replace the traditional bolt-on side cutters found with tooth setups, adding an extra layer of protection to the lower leading edge and helping to further extend the life of your bucket edge.
Excavator Size |
1.5 Ton |
2-4 Ton |
5-6 Ton |
| Tooth Style | Bolt-on Kubota-style Tooth | Bolt-on Kubota-style Tooth | Bolt-on JCB-style Tooth |
| Blade Option 1 | Standard HB250 Blade | Standard HB250 Blade | Standard HB250 Blade |
| Blade Option 2 | Bolt-on Blade + Side Protectors | Bolt-on Blade + Side Protectors | Bolt-on Blade + Side Protectors |
| Blade Option 3 | Rhinox Bolt-on Uni-tusk | Rhinox Bolt-on Uni-tusk | Rhinox Bolt-on Uni-tusk |
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Bolt-on Teeth |
Bolt-on Blade |
Bolt-on Blade + Side Protectors |
Bolt-on Uni-tusk |
Additional Layers of Wear Protection
At Rhinox, every bucket is designed with longevity and performance in mind. Our low profile buckets are engineered to stand up to the toughest working conditions, with features specifically built to reduce wear and extend service life. One of the key areas of focus is the reinforced leading edge, which is three times thicker than the main bucket shell. This added thickness drastically slows the speed of wear to this high-impact area from constant digging and contact with abrasive materials.
Rhinox low profile buckets also feature side wear plates and wear-resistant rear wear straps to protect the bucket from all angles. These wear plates are designed to take on the brunt of daily wear, shielding the bucket shell from as much abrasion as possible. The side wear plates protect against scuffing and grinding when working close to walls, curbs, or in trenches, while the rear wear straps reinforce the back of the bucket - an area that often takes stress during digging, lifting and dumping.
Bucket Transportation Hooks
Like all Rhinox digging buckets from 0.75 to 25 ton, our low profile digging buckets feature lifting hooks that are strategically positioned on the leading edge of the bucket. This placement is a result of the unique geometry of the bucket hangers, which doesn’t allow for the hooks to be incorporated as part of the hanger design itself, as is more commonly on Rhinox excavator buckets. Rhinox bucket hooks provide a safe lifting method, ideal for transporting or handling your buckets securely on-site.
Purchasing your Rhinox Hitachi Low Profile Buckets
If you’re looking to purchase Rhinox low profile buckets, you can easily browse and shop our full range online, including our standard buckets and attachments for Hitachi excavators. Each product listing on our website includes live stock information, so you can see what’s available in real time. Whether you’re after low profile or standard buckets, we offer a variety of options to suit your machine and specific needs. If you have any questions about compatibility, features or availability - or if you're just unsure which option is best for your mini digger or excavator, our expert team is always here to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out, and we’ll make sure you get the right product for the job. Shop now or get in touch today to experience the durability and service that comes with every Rhinox bucket.
