Development of a new bucket design for a single-bucket hydraulic excavator

BACKGROUND: Single-bucket hydraulic excavators are used in mining industry, construction industry, public utilities and other sectors of the economy. The productivity of these machines depends on a number of factors, among which the main one is the bucket volume. Due to the impossibility of overcoming the digging resistance forces, it is impossible to install a larger bucket on an excavator of a certain category. AIM: Development of the excavator bucket design, the shape and mechanics of which reduce digging resistance to make it possible to install larger buckets. METHODS: The bucket model was built in the Kompas-3D software, and the APM FEM Kompas-3D application was used for strength calculations. RESULTS: Sketches of the proposed buckets with a volume of 0.25 m³ are considered. The search for optimal parameters of the bucket parts to make it possible to install it on a production excavator and to perform the digging process was carried out. Justification of the parameters of the bucket parts is given. In order to check the operability, a strength calculation of the designed bucket structure was carried out. This will help to increase the productivity of the excavator and to expand its functionality. CONCLUSION: As a result of the study, changes in the design of the production bucket, which make it possible to install buckets of increased volume on an excavator without losing the strength and reliability of the structure, were proposed. The strength calculation showed a safety factor of 3.3, which proves the operability of the designed structure of the proposed bucket.