Which Three Attachments Should Every Excavator Start With?

When you bring home a new excavator, it usually comes with a single general-purpose bucket. But construction pros and equipment dealers know that one bucket rarely suffices for every job. Under budget constraints, the savvy choice is to focus on three versatile RSBM attachments: a Standard Bucket, a Quick Hitch, and a Thumb. These three form the core “starter kit” for most excavator work. In short, the bucket does the digging and loading, the quick hitch lets you swap tools in seconds, and the thumb adds a gripping “hand” to handle irregular loads. In what follows we explain why each is indispensable, using RSBM’s durable designs as examples.

RSBM Standard Bucket: The Versatile Workhorse

Every excavator buyer already has one factory bucket, but it’s wise to have a spare or alternate bucket on hand. RSBM’s General Purpose (GP) or Standard Bucket is built to tackle the everyday tasks of digging and loading earth, sand, gravel or loose rock. Its tapered shape gives extra depth for efficient scooping, and RSBM even adds high-strength side cutters and wear plates to extend service life. In practice, you’ll find yourself using the standard bucket for most earthmoving jobs – trenching, site prep or loading trucks – making it an essential attachment.

• Built for general duty: RSBM’s GP buckets (standard buckets) are designed for common tasks like excavating soil, clay or gravel. They come in sizes to fit 1–50 ton machines, so whether you have a mini-excavator or a mid-sized crawler, there’s a compatible bucket.

• Versatility of widths: Different jobs call for different bucket widths. RSBM offers the standard bucket in many widths (from narrow trenching sizes to wide grading shells), all built to work with various pin-on or quick-coupler systems. This means you can switch buckets for tight trenches or broad scoops without having to buy a whole new machine.

• High-wear durability: Buckets take heavy abuse: rocks, roots and abrasive soil scuff the cutting edge and sides. RSBM’s buckets use wear-resistant steels (e.g. Q355/NM400 or optional Hardox panels) on the cutting edge, side cutters and adapter teeth. If you work in really rocky or demolition sites, RSBM even offers “Heavy-Duty” and “Rock” bucket versions with extra-thick plates and reinforced teeth. In short, having a spare bucket pays off. If one bucket’s teeth wear out, you can swap it quickly and keep digging, instead of waiting for a costly repair.

In summary, an RSBM Standard Bucket is the foundation attachment for daily excavator work. It’s rugged enough for most ground conditions, and having an extra bucket (or a different-width bucket) on hand keeps you productive even when wear-and-tear strikes.

RSBM Quick Hitch: Fast, Safe Attachment Changes:

One reason to limit to three attachments is practicality – you want each one to pay for itself. A quick hitch (quick coupler) is an essential time-saver attachment. RSBM’s quick hitches (also called couplers) let the operator change tools without dragging out hammers and pins. With a quick hitch, you stay in the cab and flip a lever or push a button, and your excavator instantly connects or disconnects buckets and other tools. This rapid-change capability significantly boosts productivity and safety on any site.

• Save time (and money): Traditional bucket changes require a crew member to bang out pins with a hammer. A quick hitch removes that step, so switching from a digging bucket to, say, a hammer or a thumb takes only seconds. Less downtime means lower labor costs and more machine hours working.

• Avoid wear and injury: Frequent manual pin changes lead to bent pins and crushed fingers over time. RSBM’s quick hitches use built-in latches (mechanical or hydraulic) and safety locks, reducing the risk of accidental drops. They also prevent undue stress on the excavator’s linkage by fitting snugly to the arm. In fact, RSBM notes that using a quick hitch “protects the machine against unnecessary wearing” by avoiding repeated hammer blows on pins.

• RSBM compatibility: All RSBM buckets can be made to fit any RSBM quick hitch, and vice versa. You simply specify the pin spacing and hydraulic hookups (if any) for your machine. Because RSBM designs are modular, you can mix and match their buckets, hitches and thumbs to suit your excavator model without worrying about fit.

Below are the three flavors of RSBM Quick Hitch you should know about:

RSBM Mechanical Quick Hitch (Manual or Semi-Auto)

This is the simplest style of quick coupler. Often called a manual or semi-automatic quick hitch, it uses a simple lever or linkage system (sometimes spring-loaded) to lock attachments in place. RSBM’s mechanical couplers are built to fit 1–50 ton excavators, and they’re known for reliability and economy. According to RSBM, their manual coupler “is one of the most efficient ways to change digger buckets and attachments”, quickly freeing you from hammering pins.

• Best for smaller machines and budgets: A mechanical quick hitch is ideal on sub-15-ton machines or when budget is tight. It has fewer moving parts and doesn’t require auxiliary hydraulics, so it costs less than the hydraulic version.

• Simple operation: You usually just pull a handle (sometimes accessible from the cab via a cable) to release the old tool, then hook up the new one and engage the latch. Some models are semi-automatic, meaning a spring or gravity hook catches the bucket and a small pin locks it – still much faster than manual pin insertion.

• RSBM feature: RSBM’s Manual Quick Hitch (sometimes called “Mechanical Quick Hitch”) comes with standard dual safety locks and is pressure-tested. It keeps the machine “functioning in a better way” by cutting down changeover time.

Example: On a compact excavator at a tight digging site, an RSBM Mechanical Quick Hitch lets a single operator swap between a narrow trench bucket and a grading bucket dozens of times a day without extra help.

RSBM Hydraulic Quick hitch

A hydraulic quick hitch adds powered convenience and safety. It looks similar to the mechanical hitch but has an internal hydraulic cylinder that operates the latch. You run your excavator’s auxiliary hydraulics to it, so you never leave the cab to flip any locks. RSBM’s hydraulic quick hitches are made for 1–50 ton machines as well, and they pack extra protective features.

• Ease of use: With a hydraulic coupler, simply activating a switch (or joystick) presses the latch closed and locks it down. To release, you retract the latch the same way. This totally cab-operated process is much faster and eliminates manual effort.

• Durability and safety: RSBM emphasizes that their hydraulic hitches combine strength with a double-safety system. For example, a solenoid-actuated safety pin inside the hitch keeps the bucket secure even if hydraulic pressure is lost. In practice, this means you can swap buckets at full reach or above ground without worrying.

• Protects equipment: Because the hitch handles the high forces, there’s less shock transmitted to the excavator’s arm and pins. RSBM points out that using a hydraulic quick hitch “maximizes the product lifetime” of both buckets and the machine linkage.

If budget allows, most professionals prefer a hydraulic quick hitch. It adds a small cost up front, but the labor savings and extra safety are worth it for frequent attachment changes. RSBM supplies models with solenoid or spool-valve controls, and all are fully compatible with their bucket range.

RSBM Tilting Quick Hitch (45° Swing Coupler)

For the ultimate flexibility, consider an RSBM Tilting Quick Hitch. This is essentially a hydraulic coupler with an added swing (tilt) function. Using an extra hydraulic line, it lets the bucket pivot left or right up to about ±45°. In effect, your bucket gains another degree of freedom, which is invaluable for precise grading or catching awkward materials.

• Swing function: As RSBM explains, the swing cylinder quick coupler “provides a certain range of swinging motion (e.g., ±45°), enhancing flexibility in various operations”. For instance, you can backfill against a wall or slope sideways without repositioning the whole machine, just by tilting the bucket.

• Installation and safety: RSBM’s Tilt Quick Hitches are built with the same locking and safety systems as the standard hydraulic hitch, so you don’t sacrifice security for the tilt. They are available in several sizes (for different tonnages) and work with the same brand of buckets.

• Best-in-class efficiency: Despite the added functionality, changing attachments is just as quick. The bucket attaches and detaches the same way; you only need to hook up one more hose for the tilt cylinder. RSBM points out that this all-in-one unit “improves work efficiency” by reducing manual intervention.

In summary, if your projects demand extra dexterity (say, landscaping around confined obstacles or placing riprap), the RSBM Tilt Quick Hitch is a smart choice. It costs more than the standard hydraulic hitch but expands your machine’s capability dramatically. For a three-attachment starter set, we recommend one tilting hitch rather than a basic hydraulic one, because it can act as either—a tilting hitch is fully hydraulic with tilt.

RSBM Thumb: A Gripping “Hand”

The third essential attachment is an excavator thumb. Think of it as a mechanical claw that works with the bucket. With a thumb attached, your excavator can grasp irregular objects (logs, debris, rocks) just like a giant hand. This turns a standard bucket into a grab bucket, letting you lift, carry and sort materials that would otherwise fall out. Thumbs are widely used in demolition, forestry, scrap handling and general loading tasks because they add so much versatility.

So how many options do you have regarding thumb? Let’s see

RSBM Mechanical Thumb:

This is a fixed “pincer” welded or bolted to the arm that you manually swing into position. RSBM’s mechanical thumbs are sturdy and inexpensive to produce. They come in matched sizes for each excavator – no need to measure; just tell RSBM your excavator model and they will select the right thumb. The big advantage is cost: mechanical thumbs are the lowest-priced option. They are perfect for simple jobs like piling brush or moving demolition debris.

RSBM Hydraulic Thumb

RSBM’s hydraulic thumbs add a cylinder that lets the operator open and close the thumb from the cab. This gives continuous control and the ability to adjust grip on the fly. RSBM notes that hydraulic thumbs offer more flexible control angles than mechanical ones. They actually divide hydraulic thumbs into weld-on, pin-on and progressive-link styles, which differ in how they attach and articulate. The bottom line is that a hydraulic thumb is more versatile, though it costs more and requires one extra hydraulic circuit.

Here are the typical variations of RSBM hydraulic thumbs (we won’t go into technical detail, just a quick overview):

• Weld-on thumb: A simple thumb welded directly to the excavator boom. Very robust and requires no extra pins, but must be custom-fit and is semi-permanent.

• Pin-on thumb: A thumb that bolts or pins onto the stick near the bucket pin. It tends to fit most excavators without welding (you bolt a bracket on the stick and the thumb pivots on the bucket pin). RSBM’s pin-on thumbs are easy to install and can be removed if needed.

• Progressive-link thumb (slider): This type uses a parallelogram linkage for smooth opening/closing motion. It often offers the most “parallel” action with the bucket teeth. RSBM’s progressive thumb provides a uniform clamp and self-centering motion.

 

Regardless of type, adding an RSBM thumb means your standard bucket can now pick up large rocks, logs, or demolition waste in a controlled grip. This is especially handy on jobs involving irregular or loose loads.

Ideal Starter Combination

For a one-machine, three-attachment starter kit, we recommend: one RSBM Standard Bucket, one RSBM Hydraulic Tilting Quick Hitch, and one RSBM Hydraulic Thumb. This trio covers virtually all basic tasks:

• The standard bucket (with backup wear parts) handles digging and loading.

• The tilting quick hitch lets you quickly swap attachments and also tilt the bucket for fine grading and reach. Because it’s hydraulic, it works for any excavator above the smallest size.

• The hydraulic thumb gives the bucket instant grabbing power for lifting non-containable materials.

Together, this setup maximizes versatility. You keep the bucket for normal digging, and with a single lever change on the quick hitch, you can attach the thumb for grabbing. When you need to lay pipe, pick up pipes or logs, or sort debris, the thumb-equipped bucket does the job. When you need to break concrete, switch to a breaker (not included in the three, but a quick hitch makes it possible later). And the tilting hitch ensures you can set material down at angles that a rigid coupler could not.

In short, RSBM’s attachments are engineered to work together seamlessly. By choosing these three essentials from RSBM, an excavator owner gets a versatile, durable kit that covers most on-site needs. As RSBM points out, these attachments “make your excavator more versatile, efficient and safe”. For anyone starting fresh with a new excavator and a tight budget, this RSBM bundle is the smart, long-lasting choice.