Bucket Fill Factors?

[fensoncont.]

Hello,
I know manufactures rate there machines in Loose Cubic Yards. To convert that to Bank Cubic Yards (BCY is usually the pay yards) you multiply by the load factor.

But what about excavator buckets?? I thought you just did the same thing, but then in the Cat Performance Handbook I saw "Bucket Fill Factors". I read about it, but still did not understand it. So my main question is: How do I get Bank Cubic Yards in excavator buckets??

[JimBruce42]

So my main question is: How do I get Bank Cubic Yards in excavator buckets??

The simple answer Nolan is: you don't. As soon as that bucket, or blade, or cutting edge breaks into the ground you start putting voids into the volume of soil. Any yardage moved will always be in loose cubic yards because you (for lack of better words) "fluff" the material, however you always bid a job by BCY, you just have to figure out the swell factor for the soil moved to know how to bid your iron, or how many truck loads it will take to get extra dirt off site.

The BCY in a 3' by 3' by 3' hole might be one yard, but you won't get that same one yard out with a 1 yard bucket struck perfectly, because there is always going to be a certain % of air in the yard.... I hope that makes sense I know what I'm trying to say but its not coming out how I want it to:Banghead :confused: :Banghead

[fensoncont.]

Thanks for the info, makes things clear with air voids.

But, do I just use the same load factor as the haul unit?? Or do I use a fill factor??

[rabcon]

Loose X 22% :bouncegri

[fensoncont.]

I'm not understanding how you got that or why that will work. Please explain.

[rabcon]

I was just refering to compacted soil, verses loose soil. w x h x d = & divide By 27 = loose dirt, & multiply by 22% = compacted soil. Sorry this may not be what your looking for !! :Banghead