A hydraulic clamshell bucket for excavator is a two-piece bucket attachment that opens and closes like a clamshell. It is designed for vertical excavation and controlled material handling. Instead of scooping from the side like a standard bucket, you lower the clam bucket directly onto the material from above, close the jaws, and lift.
The bucket is widely used for dredging, excavation, bulk material handling, and loading operations across construction, mining, marine, and port industries. It handles sand, gravel, soil, coal, rock, and other loose materials. The YGCS series is built for excavators from 7 to 35 tons, with opening widths up to 2300mm.
YG Clam Bucket For Excavator – Key Specifications
Here are the complete parameters for all four models. Choose based on your excavator size and material handling needs.
| Item/Model | Unit | YGCS04 | YGCS06 | YGCS08 | YGCS10 |
| Suitable Excavator | ton | 7-11 | 12-18 | 18-25 | 26-35 |
| Weight | kg | 800 | 1200 | 2000 | 2300 |
| Opening | mm | 1000 | 1500 | 2200 | 2300 |
| Working Pressure | bar | 180 | 210 | 250 | 250 |
| Set Up Pressure | bar | 250 | 290 | 320 | 340 |
| Working Flow | lpm | 190 | 210 | 220 | 240 |
How Does A Clamshell Backhoe Bucket Work?
Step 1 – Position and open. Position the excavator arm over the pile of material. Lower the bucket so the open jaws sit on top of the material.
Step 2 – Close and grab. Activate the hydraulic cylinder—the two halves close like a clamshell, grabbing the material from above. The hydraulic pressure keeps the jaws tightly closed during lifting.
Step 3 – Lift and place. Lift the bucket, swing to the drop-off point, and open the jaws to release the material.
The bucket can also rotate 360 degrees for precise positioning. This makes it ideal for working in tight spaces where you cannot swing the excavator body.
Where Can You Use A Clam Bucket For Excavator?
The clamshell backhoe bucket is suitable for many applications:
- Bulk material handling – Sand, gravel, soil, coal, crushed stone, and aggregates.
- Dredging – Removing silt and sediment from waterways, ports, and harbors.
- Scrap metal handling – Grabbing and moving loose scrap metal and demolition debris.
- Recycling yards – Handling mixed recyclable materials.
- Marine and port operations – Loading and unloading bulk cargo from ships.
- Mining – Handling ore, overburden, and other mined materials.
- Landscaping and site cleanup – Moving mulch, topsoil, and construction debris.
- Trenching and excavation – Vertical excavation in confined spaces.
Key Advantages Of A YG Clamshell Bucket
- Grabs from above. No need to reposition the excavator. Lower the bucket and grab – faster cycle times.
- Handles loose materials. Perfect for sand, gravel, coal, and other materials that spill from standard buckets.
- Controlled dumping. Open the jaws gradually for precise placement.
- Versatile. Works in construction, mining, marine, recycling, and landscaping.
- Durable construction. Built for heavy-duty use with high-strength steel.
- 360° rotation (optional). Precise positioning without moving the excavator.
Conclusion – Grab More with YG Clam Bucket
A clam bucket for excavator turns your machine into a bulk material handling specialist. YG offers four models for 7-35 ton excavators, with openings from 1000mm to 2300mm. The bucket grabs sand, gravel, soil, scrap, and other loose materials from above – no need to reposition. It works in construction, mining, marine dredging, recycling, and landscaping. Built with high-strength steel and durable hydraulics, the YGCS series is designed for heavy daily use.
YG Machinery also offers other excavator attachments: breakers, grapples, shears, and crusher buckets. Contact YG with your excavator make, model, and material type. They will recommend the right hydraulic clamshell bucket for excavator and provide a quote. Start grabbing – start moving.
Phone / WhatsApp / WeChat: +86 159 3715 3321
Email: admin@chinayugongmachinery.com
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a two-piece bucket attachment that opens and closes like a clamshell. It grabs material from above for efficient bulk handling.
YGCS04 fits 7-11 ton excavators. YGCS10 fits 26-35 ton machines. Choose based on your excavator weight.
Sand, gravel, soil, coal, crushed stone, scrap metal, and other loose bulk materials.
Yes. Clamshell buckets are widely used for dredging in ports, harbors, and waterways.
Regularly grease pivot points. Inspect hydraulic hoses and cylinders for leaks. Check for wear on the cutting edges.
