RSBM Multifunctional Clamshell Buckets

Clamshell buckets are hydraulic material-handling attachments featuring two hinged shells that open and close like a giant clamshell. Driven by hydraulic cylinders, they grab, hold and transfer loose bulk materials with high efficiency and precision. These tools are indispensable wherever large volumes of earth or bulk commodities must be loaded or excavated: for example, loading sand, gravel, grain, coal, fertilizers or waste at a port or construction site. Built for heavy-duty tasks, clamshell buckets ensure fast, reliable operation even in harsh environments. RSBM’s multifunctional clamshell buckets embody this proven design and expand its versatility for modern material-handling needs.

What Are Clamshell Buckets?

A clamshell bucket is essentially a two-shell “grapple” mounted under a boom or crane. Each shell is curved like half of an oyster shell. In operation, hydraulic cylinders drive the shells in synchronous movement: the cylinders push the shells closed to grab material, and retract to release. This simple principle – two powerful jaws controlled hydraulically – allows the bucket to open and close precisely on a wide range of materials. Common uses include excavating or lifting bulk soil, sand, gravel and debris and loading/unloading loose goods. Compared to manual grabs or simple buckets, hydraulic clamshells dramatically boost productivity because they can handle large loads quickly while allowing fine control of the clamshell closure.

Clamshell buckets are highly adaptable. They can mount on many types of machines – for example, truck-mounted cranes, backhoe loaders, mini-excavators, stationary tower cranes, ship or harbor cranes, material handlers, and even railroad excavators. This compatibility makes them useful in virtually any industry that needs bulk material movement: construction (excavation, foundation digging), mining and quarrying, forestry and agriculture (moving wood chips or grains), waste recycling, port logistics (cargo loading/unloading) and more. In each case, the clamshell bucket provides a versatile end-of-arm tool to quickly scoop up and relocate bulk materials.

 

Versatile Applications

RSBM’s clamshell buckets come in two primary versions: a loading (or “general-purpose”) bucket and a digging/heavy-duty bucket. The loading version excels at moving loose materials; it is typically used for bulk transfer of earth, sand, gravel, mud, grains, coal, fertilizers, industrial or agricultural waste, minerals, and similar commodities. In practice, a truck crane fitted with a clamshell bucket can quickly load a dump truck or hopper with sand or gravel, or lift bulk grain or fertilizer from a stockpile into transport containers. A fixed crane at a recycling yard can use it to grab scrap or refuse, significantly speeding up handling compared to manual methods.

Key Industries and Materials:

• Construction & Earthworks: Soil, clay, gravel, sand – ideal for digging trenches or moving backfill.

• Mining & Quarrying: Broken stone, ore, minerals – for excavating in open pits or loading conveyors.

• Agriculture & Bulk Commodities: Grain, corn, soybeans, fertilizer, biomass – for rapid loading and unloading of bins and silos.

• Ports & Terminals: Coal, scrap metal, wood chips, recyclables – on harbor cranes for ship loading/unloading.

• Waste Management: Demolition debris, industrial waste, sludge – clamshells easily handle loose waste material.

Clamshell buckets are also sold in a digging-heavy-duty version, with larger cylinders and sturdier jaws, for working in compacted soils or heavy-duty applications. This variant can penetrate compact, hard-packed ground better than a standard bucket. For excavators and material handlers (35+ ton machines), the heavy-duty clamshell can scrape and dig even in tough conditions. In both versions, built-in hooks or linkages allow mounting on the host machine; often a self-leveling coupling (pendulum link) is used so the bucket swings freely in four directions, keeping it properly oriented.

Key Features and Accessories

RSBM clamshell buckets are engineered with customer needs in mind. Standard design features include a double-cylinder connecting-rod layout: two large hydraulic cylinders on each side connect via a sturdy cross-linkage, so that both shells open and close evenly. The cylinders ride in a precision “honing” tube and use premium sealing rings, ensuring tight, leak-free operation even after heavy use. Thanks to this design, each cycle (open/close) is fast and dependable, enabling short work cycles. RSBM’s double-cylinder geometry also provides balanced force for powerful grabbing, and flexible, smooth control for delicate placement when needed.

 

All RSBM clamshell models are available with or without digging teeth, depending on the task. Regardless of configuration, the bucket’s core structure (shells, frame and pivot) is built from NM500 wear-resistant steel. NM500 is a high-strength alloy (Chinese standard) with Brinell hardness around 470–520 – roughly equivalent to SSAB Hardox 500. In other words, RSBM buckets use premium wear steel comparable to the best global brands. This heavy-duty steel gives the buckets exceptional wear life when digging or scraping abrasive material. Key components like pivot pins are forged from 42CrMo alloy steel, heat-treated for maximum toughness, and even feature internal oil passages or grease channels to extend lifespan.

Manufacturers often add wear plates or liners in high-abrasion areas; for example, Idrobenne (an industry leader) fits Hardox steel liners to the cutting edges and tips. RSBM’s NM500 structure serves the same purpose of protecting against wear. Together, these material choices ensure the bucket resists grinding, shock and abrasion over thousands of cycles.

Optional accessories expand the bucket’s functionality. These include:

• Hydraulic rotator: A motor-driven unit that provides full 360° continuous rotation, allowing the bucket to swivel smoothly under load. This is ideal for fine positioning or loading materials into a bin.

• Mechanical (free) rotator: A passive swivel (typically ~250° rotation) that lets the bucket spin freely, useful for simple dump operations with cranes.

• Bolt-on digging teeth: Replaceable steel teeth welded to the shell edges improve penetration in hard ground or rock.

• Anti-wear blades: Hardened counter-blades along shell edges extend life when scraping tough surfaces.

• Scrapers (ejectors): Rubber or metal scrapers fit between the shells to automatically clear sticky mud or debris as the bucket closes.

• Linkage extensions: Extra links or custom linkages (pendulum link) can adapt the bucket to different machines and working heights.

These options allow RSBM clamshells to be customized for any task. In fact, RSBM can supply buckets with precisely the needed features – with or without teeth, with hydraulic rotation or free rotation, and any linkage for your crane or excavator. Such flexibility lets operators fine-tune the attachment for specific jobs.

Construction and Durability

Durability is built into RSBM’s design. As noted, NM500 steel (used in all structural components) provides very high strength and wear resistance. This mirrors industry best practice: top manufacturers use “Swedish” or high-tensile steels and Hardox plates on their heavy buckets. RSBM’s equivalent (NM500) and the careful heat treatment of parts result in an extremely tough bucket body.

Moreover, all pivotal parts are engineered for longevity. The pivot pins on the bucket are large-diameter and made of chromoly alloy, giving them high shear strength. In many designs (as with Idrobenne), pins are case-hardened and have grease grooves or internal channels. RSBM includes similar features: the pins and bushes are designed for continuous lubrication, greatly reducing wear at the joints. High-quality seals in the cylinder pistons prevent hydraulic oil leakage, meaning the cylinders stay airtight and require less maintenance over time. All of these build into a “long life” component – RSBM’s clamshell buckets can run through thousands of cycles with minimal downtime.

RSBM’s manufacturing follows strict quality standards. Engineering and assembly are performed with modern design tools and skilled personnel. The result is equipment that is “user-friendly” by design: wear parts (like teeth or blades) are easily accessed and quickly replaced. In short, RSBM buckets combine robust materials and thoughtful engineering to deliver exceptional reliability. The buckets are built and tested under factory conditions to ensure they will stand up to tough jobs in the field.

Performance and Benefits

In operation, an RSBM clamshell bucket delivers high productivity and precision. The hydraulic drive allows an operator to move large loads with each grab. For example, a typical clamshell can lift several cubic meters of sand or gravel at once, greatly cutting loading times. At the same time, hydraulic control means the bucket’s opening/closing can be finely modulated. The operator can make very small movements of the shells, enabling delicate placement of material (without spillage) or gentle scraping of surfaces. Compared to mechanical grabs or manual methods, hydraulic clamshells drastically improve efficiency and accuracy in bulk handling.

Key benefits include:

• High Efficiency: Move large volumes per cycle, reducing handling time on every load. Hydraulic clamshells can quickly fill trucks, hoppers or pits in minimal time.

• Precision Control: The hydraulic system ensures smooth, incremental bucket movements. Operators can control opening precisely to avoid over-filling or spillage, which is crucial when handling fine or valuable materials.

• Heavy-Duty Durability: RSBM’s rugged construction means the bucket keeps performing under severe conditions. It resists wear and impacts, allowing continuous operation with little unscheduled downtime.

• Operator Comfort & Safety: Powered operation greatly reduces physical effort. Operators no longer need to grapple by hand or risk being close to moving debris. This lowers fatigue and improves safety.

• Versatility: One clamshell bucket handles many tasks – from excavation to loading barges – eliminating the need for multiple tools. They are equally effective at construction sites, mining camps, or ports.

In short, RSBM clamshell buckets streamline material handling. Bulk loading projects that once required multiple lifts or extra equipment can often be done in one cycle. The precision of hydraulic control cuts down material waste (no extra spillage) and the speed of operation boosts overall jobsite productivity.

Why Choose RSBM Clamshell Buckets?

RSBM’s commitment to quality ensures that our clamshell buckets offer both performance and value. Each bucket is built to exacting standards and tested in-house, reflecting our decades of experience in excavator and crane attachments. The use of premium steels (NM500), alloy pins, and high-grade seals means you get a bucket that lasts. Our design also emphasizes maintainability: RSBM buckets are easy to service in the field, keeping downtime to a minimum.

Furthermore, we back our products with responsive technical support. RSBM engineers can help customize your clamshell bucket for the specific material and machine you have. Whether you need a certain working volume, a special linkage, or unique wear edges, RSBM can tailor the attachment to meet your needs. This kind of OEM/ODM flexibility sets us apart in the market.

In application, RSBM clamshell buckets become the cornerstone tool for bulk handling. Their robustness and efficiency make them indispensable for contractors and operators. By choosing RSBM, you equip your crane or excavator with a proven solution that speeds up tasks, lowers costs, and stands up to the toughest jobs. For loading earth, gravel, coal, waste or any loose bulk material, our multifunctional clamshell buckets deliver reliable performance day in and day out.

For more information or to request a quote, please contact RSBM – your partner for premium material-handling attachments.