Should the bucket width be wider than the thumb? The thumb on my U55 is about 13" wide so would a 12" bucket work? How useful would a rake be compared to just the bucket for picking up stuff with a thumb? Something like this: https://boltzequipmentparts.com/pro...ding-rake-7500-11000-lb-weight-class-machines
Thumbs are almost always built to be narrower than the bucket, otherwise how would you dig a trench for pipe or whatever with the thumb on? The favorite combination is of course a thumb and a quick coupler so you can swap buckets at will, then it doesn't matter so much, except you still can't dig a trench narrower than the thumb.
You can dig with a narrower bucket than your thumb, just can't go any deeper than the top of the bucket. Rakes are good for dealing with brush and slash, but not any better for say rocks or logs.
Thanks guys! I guess I'll get a 16" bucket instead if I need a smaller one and will have to think it over if a rake is worth getting.
When you buy a bucket make sure the teeth spacing will match your thumb. The thumb tines need to land between the teeth of the bucket.
Good point but how can you find out if you but it online?