What size material bucket do I need for my skid steer or compact tractor?
The right size depends on your machine's lift capacity and the type of work you're doing. The 60-inch and 66-inch models work well with compact tractors and smaller skid steers, offering capacities from 11.9 to 13.2 cubic feet struck. If you're running a medium-frame skid steer, the 72-inch bucket is a popular choice with 14.4 cubic feet struck capacity. For larger loaders with higher lift capacity, the 78-inch and 84-inch models deliver maximum productivity with up to 16.7 cubic feet struck and 20.9 cubic feet heap capacity.
Always verify your machine's rated operating capacity and ensure the loaded bucket weight stays within safe limits. If you're primarily moving lighter materials like mulch or topsoil, you can often go wider. For dense materials like gravel or wet sand, match the bucket size more conservatively to your machine's capacity. Forge Claw's team can help you select the optimal width based on your specific machine model and typical jobs.
What's the difference between the Series 2 material bucket and a standard general-purpose bucket?
The Series 2 material bucket features a deep bottom design paired with a standard-height back, which sets it apart from typical general-purpose buckets. This configuration delivers significantly more carrying capacity per scoop while keeping the back low enough that you maintain clear visibility during grading and dumping operations. General-purpose buckets often have taller backs that block your line of sight, making finish work and precision placement more difficult.
The Series 2's design means you're moving more material per cycle—sometimes 20 to 30 percent more volume—which directly translates to fewer trips and faster job completion. The construction is also more robust, with grade 50 structural steel, reinforced quarter-inch side walls, and half-inch wear bars protecting the bottom. General-purpose buckets typically use thinner materials that won't stand up to continuous high-volume work. If you're running material all day—soil, gravel, mulch, sand, or aggregate—the Series 2 is purpose-built for that specific task and will outperform a multi-purpose bucket in both efficiency and longevity.
Should I choose a weld-on or bolt-on cutting edge?
The choice between weld-on and bolt-on cutting edges depends on how you use the bucket and your maintenance preferences. A weld-on edge offers a clean, permanent installation with no protruding bolt heads. It's ideal if you're mostly handling loose materials like mulch, topsoil, or grain where edge wear is minimal. The weld-on style is also slightly lighter and has a simpler profile.
A bolt-on edge is the better choice if you do frequent grading work on pavement, concrete, or compacted surfaces that cause faster edge wear. When the edge dulls or wears down, you can swap in a new one in minutes using hand tools—no welding equipment, no heat, no downtime. This is especially valuable for contractors and landscapers who can't afford to pull equipment off the job for repairs. The bolt-on option adds a small amount of weight and a slightly higher initial cost, but the convenience of field replacement often pays for itself after the first edge change. Either way, you're getting a sharp, durable cutting surface designed for the rigors of daily material handling.
How does the deep bottom design improve visibility and productivity?
The deep bottom paired with a standard-height back is one of the most practical features of the Series 2 material bucket. Traditional high-capacity buckets often have tall backs that increase volume but completely block your view of where you're dumping or grading. The Series 2 gives you serious carrying capacity—up to 20.9 cubic feet on the heap—while keeping the back low enough that you can see over it from the operator's seat.
This visibility is critical during finish grading, site prep, and any precision work where you need to place material exactly where it belongs. You're not guessing or making multiple correction passes. You can see the grade, the pile, and the edges clearly, which means cleaner results and less rework. The deep bottom also positions more material lower in the bucket, which improves machine stability and balance during transport. You're not fighting a top-heavy load, and your machine handles more predictably. The result is faster cycle times, better accuracy, and less operator fatigue over a full day of moving material.
What kind of materials can I move with the Series 2 material bucket?
The Series 2 is engineered for high-volume handling of loose and semi-loose materials across a wide range of applications. Landscapers use it daily for mulch, topsoil, compost, and decorative stone. Contractors rely on it for gravel, sand, crushed aggregate, and fill dirt on site prep and road work. Farm and ranch operators load grain, feed, seed, and soil amendments efficiently. It also excels with lighter bulk materials like wood chips, sawdust, and bark.
The bucket's grade 50 steel construction and wear bar protection mean it stands up well to abrasive materials like sand and gravel that would quickly wear through lighter buckets. The cutting edge is designed to bite into piles cleanly and scrape hard surfaces without gouging. While it's not intended for heavy demolition or extremely dense materials like wet clay or asphalt chunks, it handles the majority of everyday material-moving tasks with ease. The deep capacity and clean dump angle mean material flows out smoothly without hanging up, which keeps your cycle times short and your productivity high across all these applications.
How does the grade 50 steel construction compare to standard mild steel buckets?
Grade 50 structural steel has a significantly higher yield strength than standard mild steel, which translates directly into better durability and longer service life under heavy use. While mild steel buckets may bend, dent, or crack under impact and sustained loading, grade 50 steel resists deformation and maintains its structural integrity job after job. The 3/16-inch shell thickness combined with quarter-inch side walls creates a bucket that won't flex or buckle when you're scooping into compacted material or carrying heavy loads across rough terrain.
The half-inch wear bars further protect the highest-stress area—the bottom surface where material constantly slides in and out. This construction approach means you're not dealing with bent edges, cracked welds, or sagging side walls after a season of hard work. The bucket stays square, the cutting edge remains true, and you're not losing time or money on repairs or premature replacement. For operators running material-handling jobs daily, the difference in steel quality is one of the best investments you can make in attachment longevity and reliability.
Is the Series 2 material bucket compatible with my machine's quick attach system?
The Series 2 comes standard with a universal skid steer quick attach mount plate, which is compatible with the vast majority of skid steers and compact tractors equipped with quick attach systems. This includes popular brands and models from manufacturers across the industry. The universal plate design means you can hook up and start working right out of the crate without modifications or adapters.
If you're running a machine with a non-standard mount or a proprietary quick attach system, Stinger Attachments offers custom mounting options to fit your specific setup. They can also supply the bucket with a plain back if you prefer to weld on your own mounting system. Before ordering, it's a good idea to confirm your machine's quick attach style and lift capacity. The bucket weights range from 555 pounds for the 60-inch model to 750 pounds for the 84-inch version with a bolt-on edge. When loaded, you need to ensure your machine can safely handle the total weight. Forge Claw's team can help verify compatibility and recommend the right size and configuration for your equipment.
What maintenance does the Series 2 material bucket require?
The Series 2 is designed for low-maintenance operation, but a few simple practices will maximize its lifespan and performance. Keep the cutting edge sharp and replace or rotate the wear bars when they thin down to about half their original thickness. If you chose the bolt-on cutting edge, inspect the bolts periodically—especially after the first few hours of use—and keep a set of spares on hand for quick replacement in the field.
After working with sticky materials like wet clay, asphalt millings, or heavy mud, a quick rinse or scrape prevents buildup that can add weight and reduce capacity. Store the bucket on level ground or hang it from the quick attach to keep the cutting edge off the dirt and avoid ground moisture that can promote rust. Check welds and structural joints occasionally, especially if you're working in rocky or high-impact conditions. The grade 50 steel and reinforced construction mean you're unlikely to see issues, but catching a small problem early prevents bigger repairs later. Overall, the Series 2 requires far less attention than lighter buckets and rewards basic care with years of reliable, productive service.
All Stinger material buckets ship free nationwide from Forge Claw, and we offer flexible financing to help you get the equipment you need without delay.