Bucket Fill Factors

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Fill Factor is the percentage of an available volume in a hauler body, bucket or bowl that is actually used.
For example, a fill factor of 87 percent for a hauler body means that 13 percent of the rated volume is not being used to carry material. Buckets often have fill factors over 100 percent.

MATERIAL DESCRIPTION

FILL FACTOR
LOOSE MATERIAL

 

Mixed Moist Aggregates

95-100%

Uniform Aggregates up to 3mm/1/8”

95-100%

3mm – 9mm/1/8”-3/8”

90-95%

12mm – 20mm/1/2”-3/4”

85-90%

24mm/1” and over

85-90%
BLASTED ROCK

 

Well blasted

80-95%

Average Blasted

75-90%

Poorly blasted

60-75%
OTHER

 

Rock Dirt Mixtures

100-120%

Moist Loam

100-110%

Soil, Boulders, roots

80-100%

Cemented Materials

85-95%
Notes
  • Loader bucket fill factors are affected by bucket penetration, breakout force, rack back angle, bucket profile and ground engaging tools such as bucket teeth of bolt-on replaceable cutting edges.
  • For bucket fill factors for hydraulic excavators, see bucket payloads in the hydraulic excavator section.
  • Above values are not valid for Hydraulic Mining Shovels.

Additional materials can be found in the Caterpillar Performance Handbook. Consult your Cat dealer for more information.

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