A wheel loader’s bucket is a pretty straightforward attachment. Unfortunately, this means that it doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Although often overlooked, the bucket is the most critical component of a wheel loader.
The bucket is responsible for digging up heavy masses of ground, logs, and other industry-specific materials, significantly affecting machine uptime, productivity, and performance. Because of the important work it performs, it’s crucial to choose the right wheel loader bucket type for the success of your operations.
With the number of selections, features, and variables that go into wheel bucket selection, it can be challenging to choose the right one. Your construction equipment dealer offers a wide range of options but choosing the right bucket doesn’t have to be complicated.
To make the right choice, consider the three factors below when choosing a wheel loader bucket:
1. The Material Being Moved
In choosing the right wheeler bucket (or any construction machinery), you will first want to consider the type of material you’ll use it for. Material density, moisture level, hardness, and abrasion play a big role in bucket selection—they will serve as a guide in which wheeler loader bucket is best for you.
To determine the type of material a wheeler loader bucket is meant to move, make sure to read their Bucket names. General-duty or heavy-duty buckets work with less abrasive materials like soil and clay. On the other hand, a severe-duty bucket is ideal for more abrasive materials, like rocks and gravel.
Remember that you won’t always get to load a large bucket to full capacity, especially if you’re moving very heavy, hard-to-get-through material. In some cases, a smaller bucket could out-dig a larger one by allowing your loader to cycle faster.
2. Size of the Bucket
It may seem obvious that bigger is better, but when it comes to choosing a wheeler bucket, that’s not always the case. A bigger bucket doesn’t automatically equate to more production!
Size isn’t the primary deciding factor in selecting the right wheeler bucket—it involves consideration of the size and power of the wheel loader, production expectations, the material’s abrasiveness, and the size of the trucks and hoppers.
When you fail to factor these components into your decision, you may end up choosing a bucket that pushes your loader over the recommended capacity limit. This could result in accelerated wear, reduced component life, and unplanned failure.
3. Design of the Bucket
Although price doesn’t guarantee the quality, choosing the least expensive bucket isn’t recommended. Your wheeler bucket options may look virtually the same, but each one has its pros and cons. To determine whether you’re making the right decision, make sure to watch for the differences in design.
Here are some features that make a high-quality wheel bucket:
- Harder, thicker plate material
- Curved side plates
- Bolt-on teeth, cutting edges, and other add-ons
- Wear protectors and extra guarding
- Longer bucket floors
- Quality edges, side cutters, and teeth
Shop Wheel Loader Buckets at Groff Tractor
The bucket is a crucial part of a wheel loader, which is why you’ll need to put time and consideration into the bucket selection process. Now that you know which variables to keep in mind when selecting a wheel loader bucket, reach out to a trusted and reputable equipment trader.
Have you been looking for the best heavy equipment dealers in Pennsylvania to purchase your wheel loader bucket from? Then, you’ve come to the right place! At Groff Tractor, we offer a construction equipment for any industry, including reliable machines from trusted brands. View our inventory today!