Ill try to keep this short. I have a 2013 Bobcat E80 - 900 hrs. Works well, but in hard clay it has a tough time making production with a 30" smoothedge. Recommendation was swap out the smoothedge for a 24" spade teeth bucket and try it. So I rented the 24" to try, and they send me this little bucket that is 6" narrower, and at least a foot smaller in height. I called the dealer asking how I'm supposed to make production with this little teaspoon bucket. They said that its the right one for the machine. In my mind I was expecting a bucket of similar height to the 30" I have, but just a little narrower. Thoughts? I need to get more hard clay moved with this machine. I am digging around utilities and drain tile...which is why I like the smoothy.
Probably something they have on hand and want to sell….Tony
You need a toothed bucket. In all but the hardest clay here, my KX057 (5.5 ton class) can pull a 24" toothed bucket easily. A couple weekends ago I was digging for a septic line, and the clay was stupendously hard. The digging was hard enough that the corner teeth were warm to the touch. No rock in the clay either. Your 8 ton should be able to handle a 30" toothed bucket in normal clay around here.
lumberjack, can you give me an idea of what capacity bucket is appropriate? Height and depth? The capacity is not listed on the tag.
The tip length should be the same on most tooth buckets to properly interface with the thumb (which you may or may not have). I don't know the measurements for your specific machine. I do know that my 24" bucket holds 6.5 cu ft, the 36" holds 8.5 cu ft.
Try a 28" with tiger teeth, if not, run a ripper. You have a hydro-quik-coupler so that wouldn't be a big deal. I run a 28" on our 55 and it does fine. Regards, CD
The E60 - E85 excavators use werk brau buckets, try to find a dealer who can accomodate, or buy a second 30" and weld on shanks. Sean