What size high volume material bucket do I need for my wheel loader?
Choosing the right bucket width depends on your wheel loader's lift capacity and the type of material you're handling. The MBHV-WL series offers four sizes: 7-foot (1.5 cu yd), 8-foot (1.75 cu yd), 9-foot (2.0 cu yd), and 10-foot (2.2 cu yd). For small wheel loaders, the 7 or 8-foot models work well with materials like mulch, compost, or sawdust. Midsized loaders can typically handle the 9 or 10-foot buckets when moving silage, manure, or grain.
The key is matching bucket capacity to your machine's rated lift capacity without overloading the hydraulics. Forge Claw can help you verify fitment based on your specific loader model and the materials you work with most. We'll make sure you get a bucket that maximizes productivity without exceeding your machine's capabilities. Proper sizing means fewer trips, better fuel efficiency, and less wear on your equipment over time.
How does the bottom radius support improve performance?
The bottom radius support serves two critical functions in the MBHV-WL bucket design. First, it adds structural reinforcement at a high-stress point where the bucket floor meets the sides, preventing deflection and extending bucket life under repeated heavy loading. Second, and equally important, the radius design dramatically improves material discharge.
Sticky or clumpy materials like wet manure, composted organics, or damp sawdust tend to cling to flat bucket floors, forcing operators to shake the bucket or scrape it clean manually. The curved radius profile helps material roll out cleanly during dumping, reducing the amount of product left behind and eliminating wasted time. This matters especially when you're working with expensive inputs like fertilizer or feed where leaving material in the bucket cuts into your margins. The radius also makes cleanout at the end of the day faster and easier, getting you off the job site sooner.
Can I use this bucket on different machines or just my current wheel loader?
The MBHV-WL series is designed with versatility in mind, which protects your investment if you upgrade machines or expand your fleet. It comes standard with a universal skid steer mount plate that fits most common wheel loaders, and Stinger offers optional mounting configurations including Global ISO mounts and other construction carrier systems. This means the bucket can move with you as your operation grows or changes.
If you add a different loader down the line or run multiple machines, the bucket adapts rather than becoming obsolete. That flexibility is especially valuable for contractors and rental operations where equipment configurations change frequently. Before ordering, Forge Claw will help you confirm compatibility with your current machine and discuss whether you need alternative mounting options for future flexibility. The goal is making sure this bucket works for you today and continues adding value as your operation evolves.
What's the difference between weld-on and bolt-on cutting edges?
Both cutting edge options have advantages depending on your operation and maintenance setup. Bolt-on edges are the most popular choice because they're easy to replace in the field without specialized equipment. When the edge wears down, you simply unbolt the old one and bolt on a new edge using basic hand tools. This is ideal if you don't have welding equipment on-site or prefer quick, no-downtime replacements. Bolt-on edges do sit slightly higher than weld-on versions due to the mounting hardware.
Weld-on edges provide a lower-profile cutting surface and eliminate bolt heads that can catch on material, making them a good fit if you have welding capabilities on-site and prefer that traditional setup. Some operators who do regular welding maintenance choose weld-on edges for the cleaner appearance and slightly better ground contact. Either option delivers the durability you need. The choice comes down to your maintenance preferences and available equipment. Forge Claw can supply either configuration to match how you work.
What materials is this high volume bucket best suited for?
The MBHV-WL is engineered specifically for lightweight, high-volume materials where capacity matters more than raw digging force. It excels with agricultural materials like silage, manure, grain, straw, and hay. Landscaping and composting operations use it for mulch, wood chips, sawdust, compost, and topsoil. It's also ideal for feed handling at livestock operations, moving fertilizer at ag supply facilities, and handling bulk organic materials at municipal composting sites.
The bucket's reinforced construction handles the weight and repetition of these materials without the premature wear you'd see in a standard bucket. The 70-degree back angle and bottom radius support make it particularly effective with sticky materials that don't flow easily. While you could technically move denser materials, the bucket is optimized for maximizing cubic yard capacity on lighter loads. If you're regularly handling sand, gravel, or rock, a different bucket design would be more appropriate. Forge Claw can recommend the right attachment based on the specific materials you move most frequently.
How does this bucket improve fuel efficiency and productivity?
Increased capacity directly translates to fuel savings and higher productivity through basic math. If your current bucket holds 1 cubic yard and you upgrade to a 2-cubic-yard MBHV-WL model, you've just cut your number of trips in half for the same volume of material. Fewer trips means less fuel burned driving back and forth, less engine hours on your loader, and less wear on tires and drivetrain components.
Over a full day of work, this can mean finishing a job in 6 hours instead of 10, which either saves you labor costs or frees up time to take on additional work. The 70-degree back angle reduces hydraulic strain during rollback and dumping, so your machine isn't working as hard each cycle. The bottom radius support speeds up dumping by ensuring clean material discharge, eliminating time wasted shaking the bucket or scraping out leftovers. These efficiency gains compound over weeks and months into measurable cost savings and revenue opportunities that make the bucket pay for itself.
What maintenance does this bucket require?
The MBHV-WL is designed for minimal maintenance, but regular inspections will extend its working life and prevent small issues from becoming costly downtime. Check the cutting edge periodically and replace it when it wears down to maintain proper bucket performance and protect the bucket shell. If you're using bolt-on edges, verify that bolts are tight and haven't loosened from vibration.
Inspect welds and structural bracing regularly, especially if you're working in demanding conditions or near the bucket's capacity limits. Keep mounting hardware and pivot points clean and free of packed material or debris that could interfere with attachment and detachment. Look for unusual wear patterns, cracks, or damage, and address anything you find early before it progresses. The Grade 50 steel construction is built tough, but catching a small crack or bent brace early prevents it from spreading into a bigger repair. Most operators find that a quick visual inspection at the start of each week and keeping the cutting edge in good shape covers the maintenance needs.
Is it better to buy or rent a high volume material bucket?
For operations that regularly handle bulk materials, ownership makes far more financial sense than renting. Rental costs add up quickly, and you're paying repeatedly for the same capacity without building any equity. If you're moving manure, compost, mulch, or grain more than a few times per month, the MBHV-WL typically pays for itself within the first year compared to ongoing rental fees.
Ownership also means the bucket is always available when you need it, without scheduling conflicts or availability issues. You can customize it with your preferred cutting edge style and maintain it according to your standards. Forge Claw offers flexible financing options that make ownership accessible without tying up operating capital. The 2-year warranty and free nationwide shipping further improve the ownership value proposition. Renting might make sense for one-time projects, but if high-volume material handling is part of your regular workflow, buying the right bucket is an investment that pays returns through improved efficiency, lower operating costs, and increased job capacity.