Wheel loaders play a pivotal role on your jobsite. It’s their job to move large volumes of dirt, rocks, processed aggregate, snow, and almost anything else that needs to be removed, transported, or loaded. Deciding which wheel loader bucket is right for your machine and the types of projects you typically handle is critical for your productivity and success. Choosing the wrong bucket can derail your entire operation.
In this article, we cover the most important factors for determining the optimal wheel loader bucket for your specific requirements, so you’re as productive as possible.
Consider your material
The job of your wheel loaders is to dig, load, transport, and unload heavy, bulky, and abrasive materials. Ultimately, it’s the type of materials you are working with that plays a large role in deciding which wheel loader bucket to use. When it comes to loose materials like sand, gravel, and topsoil, we recommend a general purpose bucket with a larger capacity and curved edges. For carrying large volumes of lower density material like snow or mulch, a light material bucket is typically the best choice. For loading high density rocks or concrete on quarry and mining jobs, we suggest a rock bucket. You can also use a rock bucket for large earthmoving work like site development and road construction.
Typically, the name of the wheel loader bucket tells you what material it is made to work with. For example, a rock bucket with rocks, an abrasion bucket with abrasive materials, a light material bucket with lighter materials, etc.
Think about if you’re digging or loading
When deciding which wheel loader bucket is right for your operation, consider the types of jobs you generally handle. If your main task is digging out material, then you’ll want a bucket with stronger breakout forces and high penetration teeth. If you’re primarily loading trucks, however, then we recommend a high capacity bucket with a smooth profile, straight cutting edge, and a large opening angle.
Find the balance between machine power and bucket size
Contrary to common belief, a larger wheel loader bucket does not always mean higher production. Selecting an appropriate bucket size involves careful consideration of the size and power of your wheel loaders, as well as the dimensions of your trucks and hoppers. Oversizing the bucket beyond the recommended capacity limit accelerates wear, diminishes component lifespan, and leads to costly unplanned downtime.
- Refer to your wheel loader owner’s manual for information on bucket size and maximum tipping load
- Assess the truck or hopper size to determine the number of loads required daily to meet your goals
- Choose a wheel loader bucket that efficiently moves the necessary material without overloading the machine.
Advanced features for wheel loader buckets
After determining the basic type of bucket you’ll need for your specific type of job and material, next you want to consider additional design features that may save you time or minimize wear and tear. Below are some examples of additional wheel loader bucket features:
- Curved side plates and integrated spill guards for improved material retention
- Wear protectors and additional guarding to minimize damage and extend bucket life
- Quick couplers facilitating easy bucket changes, particularly valuable for frequent bucket changes
- Bolt-on teeth and cutting edges allowing versatility for different project types
- Longer bucket floors to reduce cycle times
If you have any questions about choosing the correct wheel loader bucket, or about wheel loaders in general, contact our team today!