Choosing the right skid steer bucket can be a bit confusing. There are low profile buckets, high back buckets, rock buckets, tooth buckets, snow buckets and many types of specialty buckets.
Low Profile Bucket
The most common skid steer bucket is the low profile bucket. This is the bucket that is commonly sold with new skid steers and is the best choice for an all round bucket. It is useful for landscaping because its low profile design allows the operator to see the cutting edge of the bucket, but can also be used for moving material and loading trucks or trailers. Our HLA brand low profile buckets come in widths from 48” up to 96” and all come with replaceable, reversable bolt on cutting edges.
Tooth Bucket
A tooth bucket is a low profile bucket with digging teeth, commonly referred to as the tooth bucket, is useful for digging into hard soil or gravel. The teeth on our HLA buckets are replaceable.
High Back Bucket
The high back skid steer bucket has a higher back than the low profile bucket, which allows it to hold more material. The disadvantage of this bucket is that the height of the back of the bucket prevents the skid steer operator from seeing the edge of the bucket. This bucket is useful for moving large volumes of materials and loading trailers or trucks. Available in widths from 48” up to 96” with skid steer quick attach, JD 440/540 quick attach and Euro/Global quick attach.
Rock Bucket
The rock bucket (stone fork or skeleton bucket) is made for picking up and collecting rocks while allowing dirt to fall through the tines. Our HLA rock buckets come in light duty and heavy duty. The light duty is rated at 2000 pounds and comes in widths of 48 – 70 inches. These are designed for smaller skid steers and tractors. The heavy duty rock buckets are rated at 5500 pounds and come in widths from 55 – 92 inches. The heavy duty rock buckets are available in skid steer quick attach and Euro/Global quick attach.
Snow Buckets
Snow buckets are all about volume. They have a high back and are available in widths from five to ten feet. Heaped capacity ranges from 29 cubic feet to 59 cubic feet. When choosing a snow bucket consider the area being cleared and whether a wide bucket will be practical, especially when clearing around buildings or vehicles.
Things to consider when buying a bucket.
Do you need a bolt-on-cutting edge? All our buckets come from the factory with a reversible, replaceable bolt-on-cutting edge. The bolt-on-cutting edge prevents wear on the bucket cutting edge and extends the life of the bucket. However, if weight is a consideration, or you only use the bucket occasionally, you may want a bucket without a bolt-on-cutting edge. We stock a complete inventory of replacement cutting edges for HLA buckets.
How wide should my bucket be? A skid steer bucket should be at least as wide as the skid steer. For example, a 68” wide skid steer should have a 72” bucket. This allows the bucket to clear an area in front of the skid steer and create a flat surface for the tires or track to run over.
Heavy duty or regular duty? If you use your bucket daily, whether around a farm or in construction, you should buy a heavy duty bucket. It will last longer and be able to take the daily usage better that a regular duty bucket. If you only use your bucket once or twice a week, then a regular duty bucket would be your best choice.
Specialty Buckets
In addition to the buckets listed above, we sell stump buckets, auger buckets, side discharge buckets, 4 in 1 buckets, grapple buckets, screening buckets, and tree scoop buckets.
Check out our buckets page and call or email us if you have any questions.
