B. A. Caulkett is a highly experienced designer and manufacturer of loading shovel attachments. Among our comprehensive portfolio of products is a high quality grain bucket range, built to help a company to increase efficiency, productivity and, ultimately, profitability. Please continue reading for more information.
Specification
Each grain bucket from B. A. Caulkett is designed and built to the specification of a customer.
The buckets are available from 1cm3 to 14cm3 capacity. They come with a twin ram system and can be fitted with either a quick hitch or direct mount fitment.
In order to prolong service life, the product comes equipped with a bolt on reversible wear edge and bolt on heel plates. Both fixtures help to protect those areas that may be exposed to mechanical abrasion.
Additionally, the grain buckets are fitted with a trash and spill guard and come complete with all hoses and fittings, as well as closing dampeners on the bucket frame.
Grain Bucket Advantages
When moving grain with a loader, a grain bucket offers several advantages compared to a general-purpose bucket:
- Minimal Damage: A grain bucket typically has a smooth interior surface that reduces the likelihood of damage to the grains being moved. In contrast, a general-purpose bucket may have rough edges or corners that can cause the grains to be crushed or damaged during the loading process.
- Better Control: A grain bucket is usually designed with a wider and flatter shape that allows for better control when moving bulk materials like grain. The wider shape helps to distribute the weight of the load more evenly, while the flatter profile allows for a lower center of gravity and increased stability.
- Higher Capacity: Grain buckets are often larger than general-purpose buckets, which means they can hold more material in a single load. This can result in increased productivity and efficiency, as fewer trips are required to move the same amount of grain.
- Easy Unloading: Grain buckets are typically designed with a tapered bottom that makes it easier to empty the contents of the bucket. This is particularly important when working with materials like grain, which can be prone to sticking to the sides of the bucket.
Overall, a grain bucket is a specialized tool that is designed specifically for moving grains and other bulk materials. It offers several advantages over a general-purpose bucket, including reduced damage to the grains, better control, higher capacity, and easier unloading.
High Tip
Our grain buckets are high tip so permit extra loading height compared to standard alternatives. They also facilitate increase forward reach. The products can be used in combination with high sided vehicles, such as walking floor trailers and hoppers. This is a crucial factor that can help a company to optimise loading time.
Build Quality
B. A. Caulkett is one of the most respected names in the industry. We supply countless products for a huge range of companies across a diverse variety of sectors. Our grain buckets, as with all of our products, are made using premium quality materials and parts. This helps to ensure that they provide tremendous durability and reliability.
What’s more, throughout the manufacture of a B. A. Caulkett grain bucket, the process is overseen start to finish by a single engineer. This helps to optimise efficiency and ensure we are able to maintain extremely high levels of quality control.
Grain Bucket Specifications
The B. A. Caulkett range of Grain Buckets have been expertly designed and manufactured in Suffolk for over 40 years. They represent an important part of the loading shovel attachment range.
With outstanding quality and a range of outstanding features make the B. A. Caulkett Grain Buckets the market leading grain bucket for specification, performance and construction quality.
The B. A. Caulkett grain bucket range is able to achieve the maximum crowd and dump angles available with brackets designed specifically for the machine and mounting required.
Design features can include integrated spill guards to minimise grain spilling over the back as the loading boom is lifted and grounded. Optional bolt on toe plates in nylon or steel are a popular design extra. Nylon toe plates are perfect for use on wooden floors. Wear strips provided on the grain bucket underside which provide additional durability.
Suitable for use on front loaders, loading shovels and telehandlers where the wide range of grain bucket sizes cover all farm grain handling needs. B. A. Caulkett buckets are designed to handle the rigorous demands required from grain handling.
See the grain bucket in action
Grain Buckets Designed For
There are several popular models and makes of loaders that are suitable for use with a grain bucket, including:
- John Deere – John Deere offers a range of loaders that are compatible with grain buckets, including the 5R, 6M, and 6R series loaders.
- Case IH – Case IH loaders, such as the L505 and L705, are also popular for use with grain buckets.
- New Holland – New Holland offers loaders such as the 800TL and 700TL, which are compatible with grain buckets.
- JCB – JCB offers loaders such as the 417 and 427, which are designed for use with agricultural attachments, including grain buckets.
- Caterpillar – Caterpillar offers a range of loaders, such as the 938M and 950M, which can be equipped with grain buckets.
Other notable brands that offer loaders suitable for use with grain buckets include Volvo, Komatsu, and Liebherr.
It’s worth noting that the specific loader that is best for a grain bucket will depend on the size and capacity of the bucket, as well as the intended use and the requirements of the operator.
- CAT
- Tanco
- Trima
- Quicke Euro (8)
- JCB Q-Fit
- JCB Tool Carrier
- JCB Compact
- Manitou MLT
- Matbro (Cone & pin)
- Merlo
Key Technical Considerations
- Machine operating weight and tipping load
- Hydraulic lifting capacity at full lift height
- Grain density (typically 0.60–0.85 tonnes/m³ depending on crop and moisture content)
- Required loading cycle times
- Balance between payload and machine stability
Why does it matter?
Selecting the correct capacity ensures the machine remains within its rated operating load whilst maximising productivity.
An oversized bucket can reduce stability, increase tyre and axle loading, and shorten component life.
Correct bucket sizing maximises payload whilst maintaining machine stability, safety and long-term reliability.
Key Technical Considerations
- High tensile steel construction
- Reinforced side plates and floor sections
- Optimised rib and stiffener placement
- Fully welded internal seams
- Wear-resistant cutting edge
- Finite Element Analysis (FEA) used during design to minimise stress concentrations
Why does it matter?
Grain buckets handle large volumes repeatedly, so weight reduction improves payload while structural integrity must not be compromised.
Efficient design allows operators to carry more product without exceeding machine limitations.
Advanced engineering delivers a lightweight yet durable bucket that maximises productivity and service life.
Key Technical Considerations
- Extended side profiles
- Rolled or radiused spill guards
- Correct backplate angle
- High-back design for improved material retention
- Optimised bucket geometry for maintaining the load’s centre of gravity
- Smooth internal surfaces to encourage complete discharge
Why does it matter?
Even small amounts of grain loss become expensive over thousands of loading cycles.
Reduced spillage improves site cleanliness and reduces operator clean-up time.
Well-designed grain retention features minimise product loss whilst improving loading efficiency.
Key Technical Considerations
- Floor angle optimisation
- Side wall taper
- Bucket depth-to-width ratio
- Cutting edge profile for easy penetration into grain stores
- Internal radius design to eliminate material traps
- Tip angle and rollback characteristics
Why does it matter?
Efficient bucket filling reduces loading times and fuel consumption.
Complete emptying prevents material build-up and cross-contamination between different grain varieties.
Optimised bucket geometry delivers faster loading cycles, cleaner discharge and improved operational efficiency.
Key Technical Considerations
- Loader make and model compatibility
- Quick hitch type (Euro, JCB Q-Fit, Volvo, CAT, Manitou, Merlo, Claas, etc.)
- Hydraulic requirements if fitted with optional features
- Pin diameters and mounting centres
- Overall bucket width matched to machine track width
- Visibility from the operator’s seat
- Compliance with manufacturer lifting specifications
Why does it matter?
Even a well-designed bucket will perform poorly if it is not correctly matched to the carrier.
Correct compatibility ensures safe operation and simplifies installation.
Matching the bucket to the machine ensures optimum performance, safe operation and reliable long-term service.
