How To Measure Digger Bucket Pin Dimensions
Measuring the pin dimensions on your digger bucket is an incredibly easy task to carry out. However with the different terminologies used for each individual dimension, it can soon become rather daunting and put the most experienced of operators off. For example the dipper gap, as we call it, is also often referred to...

Measuring the pin dimensions on your digger bucket / excavator bucket is an incredibly easy task to carry out. However with the different terminologies used for each individual dimension, it can soon become rather daunting and put the most experienced of operators off. For example the dipper gap, as we call it, is also often referred to as the dipper width, boom width, or even ‘the distance between the ears’. While these are all correct terms that are used widely in the industry, if we listed them all on our handy smart machine search tool, it would probably double the size of the post.

For a quick and easy guide to Measure your Pin Dimensions, keep reading:

How To Measure Pin Dimensions (Video):

 

 

What you need:

A tape measure. Its as simple as that. You can use a tape measure to accurately measure all the dimensions you need.

Better options:

While tape measures are probably the most common measuring device in anybody’s tool box, we also suggest that for the most accurate method using either a steel ruler, and/or a pair of Vernier callipers for the pin diameter.

Measuring the pin diameter:

This is simply the diameter of the pin that is used to mount the bucket or attachment to your machine. Either use a pair of Vernier callipers or tape measure to measure the width of the pin body, or use the hole in the side of the bucket, providing neither are worn out too much. A handy tip is the bucket pins tend to be in 5mm intervals, for example 25mm, 30mm, 35mm, 40mm and so on!

Pin Diameter Diagram

Quick Tip: Align the 10cm/100mm mark on your tape measure, then subtract 100mm
How to measure your pin diameter 

 

Measuring the Dipper Gap:

The dipper gap is probably one of the more important measurements. Get it wrong and it could mean that your bucket does not fit, or alternatively fits but has a lot of slack, meaning your bucket rocks from sided to side when the digger is in operation. Generally the tolerance levels for the dipper gap are quite forgiving, however they are often measure with +/- 2mm. Please watch of for the wear and tear on your buckets, as a worn boss or a bent hanger can often give you a false reading. See how the bucket fits on your machine, if it has a lot of play, deduct a millimetre or two. If it is tight and hard to fit to your machine, think about adding a millimetre.
The most simple way of measuring the dipper gap is to remove your pin and slot the tape measure through one hole, and press the tip of the tape measure against the boss at the opposite side. Sadly there are no obvious increments for the dipper gap, so it is best to work to the nearest millimetre, allowing up to 2mm for wear and tear.
 Rhinox Dipper Gap Diagram
How to measure your Dipper Gap

 

Measuring the pin centres:

The final measurement is the pin centres. Please note: If your machine does not have a quick hitch fitted, then the pin centres are not always imperative, meaning the tolerances can be quite large due to the bucket link / H-link being able to move to line up with the hole. If you are running a 12-25 ton digger, these tend to be fitted with a hydraulic hitch, therefore the pin centres tend to me set at a standard 450mm, as the hitch travels to fit the bucket.
 
These are probably one of the more difficult dimensions to measure, but the simplest method is to measure from the front edge of one hole, to the front edge of the second hole. Please see the diagram below!

Rhinox Pin Centres Diagram 

Measuring Pin Centres

  

We hope this information has been helpful to you, however if you need anymore assistance, we have a support team on hand to help you with this. Get in touch using the phone by calling 01439 259 259 (+441430 259 259 for outside of the UK) and they will be happy to assist. You can also email sales@rhinox-group.com.

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