In heavy-duty applications like earthmoving and construction, every component matters. One critical part that often goes unnoticed is the bucket bushing. Though small, it plays a big role in extending the life of your equipment and improving overall performance.
A bucket bushing is a cylindrical metal sleeve—usually made of hardened or alloy steel—inserted into the pivot points of a bucket, such as those used on excavators, backhoes, or loaders. It acts as a sacrificial layer between the pin and the bucket shell, absorbing wear and stress.
Instead of damaging the bucket or pin housing, the wear is concentrated on the bushing, which is easier and cheaper to replace.
Why Use Bushings?
Using bushings in your bucket offers key advantages:
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Protects the bucket housing from direct wear.
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Reduces maintenance costs by allowing bushing replacement instead of bucket repair.
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Improves performance by maintaining tight clearances.
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Extends the service life of pins and buckets.
Bushings are essential in protecting the integrity of your bucket, especially in high-impact and abrasive conditions.
How to Replace Bucket Bushings
Replacing worn bushings doesn’t always require a workshop. Here’s a basic DIY-friendly method suitable even for compact machines:
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Prepare the New Bushings
Store them in a freezer overnight. The metal contracts slightly, making installation easier. -
Remove the Old Bushings and Pins
Use a die grinder to cut a notch in the old bushing. This allows it to collapse and be hammered out. -
Clean the Housing
A wire brush or rotary tool helps remove rust and debris, ensuring a clean seat for the new bushing. -
Install the New Bushings
While still cold, tap the new bushings into place using a soft hammer or a block of wood. At Sibo, we advise against using a hammer for installation because it can deform both the housing and the bushing. Given that our bushings are engineered with such high precision, there’s no need to force them with a hammer. Instead, we recommend installation using liquid nitrogen. -
Reinsert the Pins
Check that everything fits tightly with no play. A secure fit ensures smoother operation.
Materials
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Hardened or alloy steel: Best for heavy-duty and high-load applications.
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Bronze or brass: Suitable for lighter loads or specific environmental conditions.
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Sintered steel or machined bushings: Available as one-piece or split-type, depending on assembly needs.
Design Features
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Grease grooves: Allow for continuous lubrication.
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Dry-running options: For dusty or low-maintenance environments.
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Precision machining: Ensures optimal fit and alignment.
Bucket Bushings Used
Bucket bushings are used in a wide range of machines and attachments, including:
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Heavy du duty bucket
- Figging bucket
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Quick couplers
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Demolition tools
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Tilt buckets and other articulated attachments
Regardless of the type, the goal is the same: keep your machinery running efficiently and reduce unnecessary wear.
Catalog
If you’re looking for steel bushings for your bucket, whether standard or custom, request our PDF catalog here. We’re here to help you choose the right solution for your machine.
Tailored Bushings
Whether you need a standard-size bushing or a custom solution, we can help. We produce bushings from 16 mm to 300 mm in outer diameter, and many standard models are available from stock.
