Learn All About Bucket Options for Mini Excavators

Buckets are the most commonly used attachments on mini excavators. However, when a buyer is looking for one, they have plenty of options and features to sort through to find the right model for their work. Here are some considerations to keep in mind when searching for a bucket.

Size and Capacity

Size is one of the most critical factors when selecting a bucket. Justin Steger, solutions marketing manager for John Deere, says the bucket should be appropriately sized for the job to avoid inefficiencies or excessive strain on the machine.

“A bucket that’s too large may make precise work difficult, while one that’s too small may slow down productivity,” he says. “While not as crucial as in high-production environments, bucket capacity still plays a role. A larger-capacity bucket can help complete tasks more quickly, though it’s important to balance this with the machine’s capabilities.”

Weight is another important consideration when looking at the size of a bucket. Steger says that a bigger bucket generally weighs more, which can impact the mini excavator’s performance. Weight can affect the machine’s stability, lift capacity and digging speed, so it’s essential to properly match the bucket to your mini excavator’s specifications.

Durability

Since buckets face tough conditions, buyers should look for attachments that are built with quality materials that can withstand wear and tear. As Steger points out, “not all buckets are built the same,” so make sure to shop around for a durable bucket.

“Buckets made from higher-strength steel cost more but offer superior durability,” he says. “Additional wear protection, such as reinforced edges and wear plates, can further extend bucket life but may add weight. Finding the right balance between strength, weight and cost is essential based on customer needs.”

Since teeth and cutting edges are the primary wear parts of a bucket, buyers need to search for options that are appropriate for their applications. For example, Steger notes that digging buckets typically have teeth designed for penetrating harder materials and compacted soils, while buckets with smooth cutting edges are better suited for softer soils, sand or finish grading work. Replaceable cutting edges or teeth are available and will increase the working life of your bucket.

“Some buckets will have Uniteeth, which are teeth that bolt to the floor of the bucket,” says Christopher Geller, associate engineer at Caterpillar. “This configuration allows the operator to use the bucket with or without teeth. Other buckets will use pin on tips. These buckets will always need teeth for digging, but Cat offers a wide range of tips to suit every digging operation. We have tips that are narrow and pointed to improve ground penetration. We also have wide tips that are better suited for less penetration and leaving behind smooth ground surfaces. Some tips are designed to be extra durable to resist abrasion wear.”

Other Considerations

Beyond the previous considerations, buyers should also scope out a bucket’s coupler system, support and warranty. Consider a quick-coupler for easy bucket exchanges or a tiltrotator to add speed, efficiency and dexterity. There truly is a bucket type for every application, so let’s take a look at a few of the most popular options.

Bucket Types

Standard/General Purpose

The standard bucket is the most common, cost-effective option. It’s widely used by contractors, landscapers and utility workers for everyday digging, backfilling and light excavation. Buyers can choose from various sizes, with widths ranging from 8 to 42 in. These buckets usually have three to nine teeth for easy ground penetration and are recommended for less demanding conditions. Prices vary from $250 to $2,500, depending on size, capacity and overall strength.

Heavy-Duty

Operators who need a stronger bucket can upgrade to a heavy-duty model. These buckets are designed to handle the broadest variety of digging conditions and are built with high-strength and abrasive-resistant steel.

“The construction of heavy-duty buckets ensures durability, making them ideal for demanding jobs like earthmoving, demolition, landscaping, utility work, road work, waste management, storm cleanup and more,” says Michael Noward, marketing manager at Werk-Brau. “They have the greatest versatility of any bucket in my opinion. With the right manufacture and design, heavy-duty buckets will perform and make the most of the machine they are going on.”

Geller adds that Caterpillar’s heavy-duty buckets feature reinforced floors and walls, as well as bolt-on side cutters to resist wear. The company also offers heavy-duty high-capacity buckets so operators can move more material faster.

Common sizes of this type of bucket range from 12 to 36 in. and cost anywhere from $500 to $4,000. Steger points out that although a heavy-duty bucket comes with a higher price tag than a standard model, they do last longer in demanding applications.

Ditching

Ditching buckets are built with a smooth front edge (as opposed to the teeth on a standard bucket) and are generally used for grading, slope work and ditch cleanout. Steger says these wider, high-capacity buckets improve efficiency when moving large volumes of material but must be used within the machine’s performance limits. They’re commonly used in roadwork, site prep, ditch maintenance and general construction.

“As the name suggests, ditching buckets are specifically designed for digging ditches and trenches,” says Noward. “They have a unique shape with a broader, flatter base and tapered sides, allowing for precise excavation. They are wider and flatter for perfect leveling and finishing surfaces such as driveways, landscape features and golf courses. They are crafted from high-strength steel, ensuring long-term durability in performance.”

Buyers can opt for a bolt-on cutting edge on these buckets to reduce wear to the main edge. Sizes for ditching buckets range from 24 to 72 in. Prices vary from $500 to $5,000, depending on size, brand and reinforcement.

Tilting

Tilting buckets are often used in grading applications and are a popular choice for landscapers, golf course builders, trail builders and general contractors doing development work. This type of bucket has the same benefits as a ditching bucket with the flexibility to slope at an angle (usually up to 45 degrees in either direction).

“A tilting ditch bucket is a specialized attachment for compact excavators that allows for angled digging and precise grading,” says Noward. “Unlike traditional ditch buckets which are in a fixed position, these buckets feature a pivoting mechanism that can be driven by cylinder(s) or an actuator — enabling you to tilt the bucket from side to side. This ability allows for greater control and adaptability. This makes it easier to create ditches with varying angles and achieve better, more accurate results.”

Prices for a tilting bucket range from $5,000 to $10,000 for a cylinder design and $9,000 to $14,000 for an actuator design. Sizes usually range from 48 to 72 in.

Cemetery

Cemetery buckets are designed with a lower capacity than a standard bucket, as well as extra bucket rotation. This enables an operator to dig straight walls and flat bottoms. Although cemetery buckets are known to be used for digging graves, utility companies, pool builders and landscapers can also benefit from this type of attachment.

“Specialized jobs require specific tools,” says Noward. “Among the most unique and vital attachments for compact excavators and backhoes are cemetery/bell hole buckets. Developed for precise digging and earthmoving tasks in sensitive environments, these buckets are essential for cemetery work, pool digging, utility applications and other applications where digging a straight flat backwall is necessary.”

Geller adds these buckets have unique profiles that allow operators to dig graves at specified depths, widths and lengths. As for size, a 36-in. width is common with the cemetery bucket, but the available range is from 12 to 42 in. wide for mini excavators. An operator can expect to pay from $500 to $4,500 for a cemetery bucket.

Skeleton

Skeleton buckets are made for sifting and sorting materials. They’re designed with open slots that allow smaller debris and dirt to fall through while retaining larger materials. According to Noward, skeleton buckets are the perfect solution for sorting and collecting excavated materials and thinning out excess dirt.

“The primary function of skeleton buckets is to separate materials quickly and efficiently,” he says. “This is particularly useful when working on projects that involve landscaping, foundation work or site cleanup. The ability to sift through dirt helps in reusing soil or removing unwanted debris.”

Typical sizes of a skeleton bucket range from 24 to 48 in. in width. Landscapers, construction companies, demolition contractors and concrete processing professionals can all benefit from this type of bucket. As for cost, prices range from $2,400 to $7,000.

Pavement Removal

Pavement removal buckets are engineered to efficiently remove asphalt, concrete and other hard surfaces. This type of bucket often features a robust and reinforced design with sharp edges or teeth that can get underneath materials. Noward says this capability makes pavement removal buckets ideal for a wide range of applications including road repair, utility installation, demolition and resurfacing projects.

“At Werk-Brau, we understand the importance of having the right attachment to tackle the job,” he says. “One attachment that has grown in popularity is the pavement removal bucket. They are critical in asphalt and concrete projects where removal is needed. These buckets are super effective at the task and are often utilized by roadwork and excavation crews.”

Sizes for pavement removal buckets will range from 18 to 36 in. wide. Buyers can spend between $1,500 to $4,500 for this unique mini excavator attachment.

Pam Kleineke is managing editor of Compact Equipment.