Excavator Bucket Sizes Explained: What Size Do You Actually Need?

Buy the wrong size bucket and you won’t just lose productivity — you’ll burn fuel, damage your hitch, and possibly crack the bucket itself. Whether you're running a tight 3T unit or a full-bore 45T beast, this blog breaks down exactly what bucket sizes you need, why it matters, and how to match them like a pro.

Why Bucket Size Actually Matters

Too small and you're taking double the passes. Too large and you're stressing the arms, wasting fuel, and risking machine wear.

• Efficiency: One-pass digging means faster completion

• Safety: A properly matched bucket won’t unbalance your machine

• Power-to-Weight Ratio: Don’t overload the hydraulics

• Fuel Burn: Dragging oversized weight costs cash

Bucket Size by Excavator Tonnage

NOTE: Always check your hitch size and hydraulic flow, but this is a solid guide for general matching.

For 1.7T to 3.5T Machines

• Bucket width: 300mm – 600mm

• Applications: Trenching, garden beds, tight-access site work

• Suggested buckets: Rock, GP Trenching, Tilt

  
  

For 5T to 8T Machines

• Bucket width: 600mm – 900mm

• Applications: General civil work, shallow trenching, landscaping

• Suggested buckets: Mud, Tilt, Sieve

For 12T to 20T Machines

• Bucket width: 900mm – 1500mm

• Applications: Site prep, bulk earthmoving, small demolition

• Suggested buckets: Mud, Sieve, GP, Rock (light duty)

For 25T to 35T Machines

• Bucket width: 1200mm – 1800mm

• Applications: Quarry, demo, deep digging

• Suggested buckets: Rock, Sieve, Hydraulic Grabs

For 40T+ Excavators

• Bucket width: Custom builds based on machine arm specs

• Applications: Quarry, deep trench, hardcore bulk scrape

• Suggested buckets: Rock (reinforced), Demolition grabs

Don’t Just Measure Width — Know These Specs Too

Matching your bucket means more than just width.

Pin Diameter

Match to your hitch or it won’t lock in securely.

Bucket Weight

Too heavy and you'll damage the machine or lower performance.

Capacity (m3)

Know how much spoil you can lift at full extension.

Material Density

Rock vs. wet clay? Different forces = different builds.

Ask Yourself These Questions Before Buying

• What kind of soil or material am I digging?

• What’s the job — trenching, bulk scrape, or demo?

• Do I need attachments like a grab or ripper?

• Is my machine rated for this bucket’s weight?

Final Take — Match It Right or Pay Later

There’s no honour in using the wrong tool for the job. A bucket that’s properly matched won’t just make life easier — it’ll protect your machine, save you fuel, and get the work done faster.

• 📞 Call us on 0475 558 888

• 🌐 Visit www.uba.com.au

• 🛠️ Request a quote online — delivered anywhere in Australia