How to Measure a Loader Bucket with Loader Bucket Diagram

How to Measure a Loader Bucket with Loader Bucket Diagram

View All Parts From This Machine: John Deere 724J Wheel Loader
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Even the hardest-working, toughest, expertly-operated wheel loader is only as good as the bucket sitting at the end of its boom. If the bucket isn’t up to the job, the machine will be forced to work overtime to keep up and because the bucket faces the brunt of material handling, no bucket will last forever. If you’re searching for a replacement bucket, looking to upgrade your current bucket, or in need of a second bucket to expand your opportunities, the good news is that often there’s a great bucket waiting to connect with your machine.

We’ve already put together a short Loader Bucket Buying Guide with tips and what to consider, but you might be wondering exactly how to ensure the bucket will fit and work with your machine. To help, we’ve assembled this short guide on what to measure on a bucket to make sure it will work with your machine.

 

Print Our Loader Bucket Measuring Guide »

 

Matching the Bucket to Your Loader

Whether you’re searching around the country or around the corner, most people start by searching online using the model, make, and serial number of their machine. Since a bucket designed for a particular machine or salvaged from a matching machine will very likely be a match, using those basic details will help you find early and fast results.

If you’ve been around construction equipment long enough, you already know that often parts will work across machines and with buckets it’s no different. Since you’re reading an article about bucket measurements, you’ve probably already guessed what you’ll want to do to expand your search – grab some fast and simple measurements.

With a tape and a few minutes with your current bucket, you’ll have the measurements you need to connect with a loader bucket seller and open up more inventory and options.

With a tape measure and a few minutes with your current loader bucket, you can find all the measurements you need to search for a replacement. » Click video to play/pause animation.

What Measurements Do I Need to Search for a Used Loader Bucket?

To get the measurements you’ll need to search for a new loader bucket, you’ll just need to grab your tape and take some quick measurements with your current bucket. The most important measurements will be in areas where the bucket connects to the machine, but included are also measurements to help you determine the capacity of your current bucket and compare that to available loader buckets for sale.

To keep things straight and accurately recorded, why not print out our simple printable bucket measuring guide? It has spots to record your measurements and straightforward diagrams to make sure you’re measuring everything correctly.

Lower/Outside Pin Hole Diameter (Required) [View Image]

Measure the diameter of one of the lower/outside pin holes that is used to connect the bucket to the loader boom.

Upper/Center Pin Hole Diameter (Required) [View Image]

Measure the diameter of one of the upper/center pin holes that is used to connect the bucket to the bucket link.

Distance from Center of Upper/Center Pin Hole to Center of Lower/Outside Pin Hole (Required) [View Image]

Measure the distance from the center of one of the upper/center pin holes to the center of one of the lower/outside pin holes.

Inside Bucket Height [View Image]

Measure the inside height of the bucket from the bucket’s floor to the inside top of the bucket.

Inside Bucket Depth [View Image]

Measure the inside depth of the bucket by measuring from the deepest point in the bucket to a point along the center of the outside edge.

Inside Bucket Width [View Image]

Measure the horizontal distance from the inside side of one of the bucket’s side plates to the inside side of the other side plate. 

Overall Bucket Height [View Image]

Measure the overall outside height of the bucket.

Bucket Width [View Image]

Measure the overall outside width of the bucket.

Lower/Outside Pin Ears Inside Width (Required) [View Image]

Measure the inside width of one pair of the lower/outside pin ears that will connect the bucket to the boom.

Upper/Center Pin Ears Inside Width (Required) [View Image]

Measure the inside width of the upper/center pin ears that will connect the bucket to the bucket link.

Center of Lower/Outside Pin Ear Pair to Center of Other Lower/Outside Pin Ear Pair Distance (Required) [View Image]

Determine the pin boss width by measuring from the center of one of the lower/outside pin ear pairs to the center of one the other lower/outside pin ear pairs.

Center of Upper/Inside Pin Ear Pair to Center of Other Upper/Inside Pin Ear Pair (Required for Dual Tilt Cylinder Buckets Only) [View Image]

Determine the distance from the center of one of the upper/inside pin ear pairs to the center of one of the other upper/inside pin ear pairs. (Only on buckets used on loaders with dual tilt cylinders).

 

And that’s that – a few quick measurements and your search for the perfect replacement loader bucket should be off and running. Since the end for a machine doesn’t always coincide with the end of the usability of a bucket, there’s a good chance that your loader bucket is ready and waiting. If you want some tips on how to evaluate the bucket you find, check out our Loader Bucket Buying Guide.

And, of course, if you need help with your search (for a bucket or any other loader part), we’re always here to help. As a top loader dismantler with two fast-moving salvage yards and dedicated reconditioning shops our loader bucket inventory is always evolving. Just drop us a line.

 

Loader Bucket Diagram Gallery

bucket lower pin hole
Measure the diameter of one of the lower/outside pin holes that is used to connect the bucket to the loader boom.
upper pin hole
Measure the diameter of one of the upper/center pin holes that is used to connect the bucket to the bucket link.
upper pin hole to lower pin hole
Measure the distance from the center of one of the upper/center pin holes to the center of one of the lower/outside pin holes.
bucket inside height
Measure the inside height of the bucket from the bucket’s floor to the inside top of the bucket.
bucket inside depth
Measure the inside depth of the bucket by measuring from the deepest point in the bucket to a point along the center of the outside edge.
bucket inside width
Measure the horizontal distance from the inside side of one of the bucket’s side plates to the inside side of the other side plate.
bucket height
Measure the overall outside height of the bucket.
bucket width
Measure the overall outside width of the bucket.
bucket lower pin ears width
Measure the inside width of one pair of the lower/outside pin ears that will connect the bucket to the boom.
upper pin ears width
Measure the inside width of the upper/center pin ears that will connect the bucket to the bucket link.
bucket lower ear to lower ear
Determine the pin boss width by measuring from the center of one of the lower/outside pin ear pairs to the center of one the other lower/outside pin ear pairs.
bucket upper ear to upper ear
Determine the distance from the center of one of the upper/inside pin ear pairs to the center of one of the other upper/inside pin ear pairs. (Only on buckets used on loaders with dual tilt cylinders).