Clamshell buckets

The hydraulic clamshell bucket is an equipment composed of two synchronized shells, moved by an hydraulic cylinder. Its body is made of S355, bushes are in casehardened steel while parts more used (such as blades) are made of a wear-resistant material. Clamshell buckets are available with one or two cylinders, that can be horizontal or vertical. Clamshell buckets could be used for different materials loading and also for digging.

Fields of application

You can load with clamshell buckets cereals, wood chips, brushwood, waste, paper, cardboard, sand, gravel, dirt, mud, food … as you can well understand the application fields are manifold, ranging from agriculture to construction sector, maintenance of green spaces and even railway maintenance. On request we can provide special equipment, for example with particular characteristics or with specific treatments for marine use.

Types

The clamshell buckets are essentially divided into two groups: light and heavy. Models light are: BOTLM, BOTLMR, BVT 1 and BVT B. They have one cylinder and are used for handling different materials, also waste. Heavy models are: BOTL, BOTR, BOTS, BOT2, BVT 2, used for intensive and heavy work.

Confronta i modelli

Clamshell bucket comparison table

Compare Tecnobenne clamshell bucket series and discover the differences between models in terms of application, capacity and construction features. Click the series to open the complete product data sheet.

Series Main Application Capacity (Lt) Features
BOTL M Gardening 35 – 620 Compactness
BOTL MR Waste and Green spaces 35 – 620 Removable walls on request
BOT L Light materials / Bulk 150 - 580 Large opening and volume
BOT S Loading and light digging 200 - 500 Optimized profile for digging
BOT R Multi-use / Waste 280 - 530 Robust for continuous cycles
BOT 2 Heavy Duty 400 – 1750 Double horizontal cylinder
BVT 1 Light digging 35 – 500 Vertical cylinder
BVT 2 Digging 50 - 530 Double vertical cylinder
BVT B Specialized Agriculture 515 - 830 Beet handling

Where to install clamshell buckets

Our hydraulic clamshell buckets are mounted on truck or fixed cranes, forestry cranes, on mini telescopic articulated loaders, on wheels or crawler excavators, self-propelled excavators. We provide equipment with all the appropriate accessories according to the customer requirements! Hydraulic buckets are arranged for the machines on which they will be mounted, following tables in relation to the weight of the excavators or the lifting capacity at the boom of the crane arm, we create also special connections to fully satisfy our customer.

Accessories

Accessories that we can provide with our hydraulic grabs are:

  • Bushing to be welded: adapter to weld at the top of the equipment to receive a rotator with shaft.
  • Flanged bushing: adapter to screw at the top of the equipment to receive a rotator with shaft.
  • Hydraulic rotator: it’s mounted on the bucket body, it permits an hydraulic 360 ° rotation. An hydraulic rotator could be with shaft or flange.
  • Mechanical rotator: it’s mounted on the bucket body, it allows a manual rotation of 250 °. You can find mechanical rotators with shaft or flanged.
  • Check control valve: it’s used to prevent that an equipment loses its load in case of breakage of hydraulic hoses.
  • Max valve: it regulates the oil pressure in pipes. It’s usually mounted on the machine, not on the equipment.
  • Teeth: equipment’s blades are drilled to have the opportunity to mount teeth for digging.
  • Suspension link: it’s very important to use it because it swings the bucket through a classic cross movement so the machine doesn’t relieve tension directly on the equipment.
  • Custom-made link:  a particular link to satisfy our customer needs.

Discover our clamshell buckets models

Benna bivalve BVT2 chiusa

Clamshell bucket BVT 2

Clamshell bucket for digging.

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Clamshell bucket BVT B

Clamshell bucket for beet.

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Benna bivalve BVT1 chiusa

Clamshell bucket BVT 1

Clamshell bucket for light digging.

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Benna bivalve BOT2 aperta

Clamshell bucket BOT 2

Clamshell bucket with two horizontal cylinders.

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Benna bivalve BOTS chiusa

Clamshell bucket BOT S

Clamshell bucket for loading and unloading.

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Clamshell bucket BOT R

Clamshell bucket with removable side-walls standard.

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Benna bivalve BOTL chiusa

Clamshell bucket BOT L

Clamshell bucket with a large opening.

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Benna bivalve BOTL MR chiusa

Clamshell bucket BOTL MR

Clamshell bucket for waste and green areas maintenance.

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Clamshell bucket BOTL M

Clamshell bucket for different materials.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Clamshell Buckets

Everything you need to know about hydraulic clamshell buckets, including operation, applications, maintenance and choosing the right model.

What is a hydraulic clamshell bucket and how does it work?

A clamshell bucket is a gripping tool composed of two shells with synchronized movement. The mechanism is driven by one or two hydraulic cylinders (positioned horizontally or vertically) that allow the opening and closing of the shells to collect, lift, or excavate materials.

What materials are used for the construction of the buckets?

The build quality is fundamental for the equipment's durability:

Body: Made of S355 steel, for an excellent balance between strength and weight.

Bushings: Made of case-hardened steel to reduce friction.

Wear-prone parts: The blades and critical contact zones are made of high-hardness anti-wear material.

What is the difference between light-duty and heavy-duty buckets?

The distinction is based on the complexity of the work and the required power:

Light-Duty Buckets (Models BOTLM, BOTLMR, BVT 1, BVT B):

Equipped with a single cylinder, they are ideal for handling bulk materials (cereals, wood chips) and light waste.

Heavy-Duty Buckets (Models BOTL, BOTR, BOTS, BOT2, BVT 2):

Designed for intense work, heavy excavation, and handling heavy loads in construction or industrial sectors.

On which machinery can a hydraulic bucket be installed?

Our buckets are versatile and can be prepared for:

Truck cranes or fixed stations.

Wheeled or tracked excavators and self-propelled loaders.

Articulated telescopic mini loaders and forestry loaders.

Note: Every installation is carried out following specific load tables in relation to the excavator's weight or the crane arm's capacity.

Is it possible to use the buckets in a marine environment?

Yes. Upon request, we provide equipment with specific anti-corrosion treatments and components designed for maritime use, ensuring resistance to salt spray and extreme environmental conditions.

What are the essential accessories for a clamshell bucket?

To optimize performance, we offer a range of dedicated accessories:

Rotator (Hydraulic or Mechanical): To orient the load at 360° or 250°.

Check Valve: Fundamental for safety; it prevents the load from falling in case of accidental hose breakage.

Suspension Link: Essential to allow cross-oscillation, preventing mechanical stress from damaging the machine arm.

Digging Teeth: Perforated blades designed for bolting on specific teeth to penetrate compact soil.

How is oil pressure managed during use?

We recommend the use of a relief valve to regulate the pressure in the hoses. Although it can be mounted on the equipment, it is usually installed directly on the operating machine to protect the entire hydraulic circuit.

What is the difference between a horizontal cylinder bucket and a vertical cylinder bucket?

The difference is functional for use and space:

Horizontal Cylinder (BOT Series): Has a reduced height and a high closing force. It is the classic choice for loading and unloading loose materials.

Vertical Cylinder (BVT Series): Thanks to the vertically placed cylinders, the bucket is slimmer laterally, allowing for better soil penetration or working in narrow spaces like trenches and shafts.

When to choose the BOT2 series with two cylinders?

The BOT2 series is designed for heavy-duty applications. Having two horizontal cylinders, it offers a higher load capacity and a reinforced structure, ideal for those working continuously with heavy materials on excavators up to 15-20 tons.

Are there specific buckets for green maintenance or waste?

Yes, the BOTL MR series is equipped with removable side walls (on request). It is designed specifically for collecting branches, waste, and maintaining green spaces, offering great versatility when switching from bulky materials to finer ones.

What are beet buckets (BVTB)?

These are specialized tools (BVT B Series) with a vertical cylinder. Their shape is optimized for loading agricultural products like beets, ensuring the product is not damaged and maximizing the volume collected per cycle.