Evaluating Oversized Buckets on High-Horsepower Skid Steers

[MikePhua]

The Rise of Large-Frame Skid Steers
Skid steer loaders have evolved dramatically since their inception in the late 1950s. Originally designed for tight maneuvering and light-duty tasks, modern skid steers like the John Deere 333E and Bobcat T870 now boast over 100 horsepower and rated operating capacities exceeding 3,500 pounds. These machines rival small wheel loaders in breakout force and hydraulic flow, prompting operators to explore larger attachments—including oversized buckets—to maximize productivity.
Terminology annotation:
- Rated operating capacity (ROC): The maximum load a skid steer can safely lift without tipping, typically calculated at 50% of the tipping load.
- Tipping load: The weight at which the machine begins to lift off the rear wheels or tracks.
- OTT (Over-the-Tire Tracks): Track systems mounted over skid steer tires to improve flotation and traction.
- Snow bucket: A wide, lightweight bucket designed for handling low-density materials like snow or poultry litter.
Bucket Width vs. Material Density
Standard buckets for mid-sized skid steers range from 72 to 84 inches wide. Larger machines often come equipped with 84 to 96-inch buckets. While width increases surface coverage and reduces passes, it also amplifies the risk of overloading when handling dense materials like wet clay, gravel, or rock.
For example:

• A 96-inch snow bucket may weigh under 500 pounds empty and handle fluffy material with ease.
  
• The same bucket filled with saturated soil or crushed stone could exceed 2,500 pounds, surpassing the machine’s ROC and stressing the lift arms.
  
• A 10-foot bucket, while theoretically possible on a 100hp machine, becomes impractical due to weight distribution and structural strain.
  

Operators must consider not just width, but depth and profile. A deep bucket with high sidewalls may hold more volume than a wide, shallow one, affecting lift dynamics and visibility.
Real-World Calculations and Load Behavior
One operator calculated that a 2,000-pound ROC machine with a 72-inch bucket handles roughly 333 pounds per foot. Extrapolating that to a 3,500-pound ROC machine suggests a 10.5-foot bucket could be feasible—on paper. However, this ignores real-world variables:

• Material density fluctuations
  
• Uneven loading
  
• Dynamic forces during travel and braking
  
• Hydraulic limitations and cycle times
  

Even with counterweights, a skid steer can become unstable when lifting a heavy load high and then decelerating. The rear end may lift, especially on slopes or uneven terrain.
Machine-Specific Considerations
The John Deere 333E, for instance, offers 40 more horsepower and 1,500 pounds more ROC than its predecessor, the 322. With three sets of counterweights, its operating weight approaches 12,150 pounds. This added mass improves stability, but only to a point. The hydraulic system is electronically limited to prevent tipping, meaning the machine may refuse to lift a load that exceeds safe parameters—even if physically capable.
Recommendations:

• Use 8-foot buckets for loose dirt, mulch, or topsoil
  
• Avoid exceeding 96 inches for dense materials
  
• Install bolt-on teeth for better penetration into piles
  
• Reinforce bucket corners to prevent deformation
  
• Monitor hydraulic pressure and lift arm strain during operation
  

Operator Experience and Field Anecdotes
One operator built a 97-inch bucket for his Gehl 7800 to match the width of his OTT tracks. While effective for leveling and light material, he noted that filling it with rock caused spillage and reduced control. Another user lifted a 5,800-pound log with forks, only to have the rear end rise during descent—highlighting the importance of load placement and momentum.
A contractor in Georgia cautioned against oversized buckets for digging, citing risk of bending lift arms, pins, and couplers. He emphasized that wide buckets are best reserved for smoothing and backdragging, not excavation.
Manufacturer Intent and Structural Limits
Manufacturers design skid steers with specific load envelopes. Exceeding these with oversized buckets can lead to:

• Premature wear on bushings and pins
  
• Hydraulic overheating
  
• Frame distortion
  
• Reduced resale value due to visible stress damage
  

While aftermarket bucket suppliers may offer 100-inch or larger models, these are typically intended for snow removal or poultry litter—not soil or aggregate.
Conclusion
Oversized buckets on high-horsepower skid steers offer tempting gains in coverage and efficiency, but they come with trade-offs in stability, durability, and safety. Operators must balance bucket width with material type, machine capacity, and jobsite conditions. For most applications, an 84 to 96-inch bucket provides optimal performance without compromising structural integrity. Beyond that, the risks outweigh the rewards—unless you're pushing snow, not dirt.