A clamshell grab bucket turns a standard excavator into a capable underwater dredging machine, using two hinged shell halves that open and close to grab sediment from the bottom and lift it to the surface. Rivers, canals, marinas, settling ponds and industrial tanks all accumulate sediment over time, and removing it from below the water surface is a persistent challenge — manual tools are too slow and large dedicated dredge rigs are too expensive for many small or confined projects.
This excavator clamshell bucket mounts to the excavator arm and connects to the auxiliary hydraulic circuit, with hydraulic cylinders driving the shell motion. When lowered into the water, the open shells penetrate the sediment layer, then close to trap material before being lifted vertically. Because the shells form an enclosed container when closed, dredged material — soft silt, muddy sludge, sand or gravel — is held securely during lifting with minimal loss back into the water.
Clamshell Grab Bucket Parameters:
| Model | YGCS04 | YGCS06 | YGCS08 | YGCS10 |
| Suitable Excavator | 7-11T | 12-18T | 18-25T | 26-35T |
| Weight | 800kg | 1200kg | 2000kg | 2300kg |
| Opening | 1000mm | 1500mm | 2200mm | 2300mm |
| Working Pressure | 180bar | 210bar | 250bar | 250bar |
| Set Up Pressure | 250bar | 290bar | 320bar | 340bar |
| Working Flow | 190 lpm | 210 lpm | 220 lpm | 240 lpm |
What Materials It Can Grab?
1. Soft silt and fine sediment
Soft silt and fine sediment — found at the bottom of slow-moving rivers, ponds and settling tanks — are the easiest dredging materials. The open shells penetrate easily, the bucket fills completely every cycle, and the closed shells hold it securely with minimal leakage. The main consideration is its high water content, which makes it heavy per unit volume — operators must account for the additional weight when lifting.
2. Sand and gravel
Sand and gravel are common in riverbeds and coastal areas. And sand flows readily and fills the bucket completely, but fine sand can leak through small gaps between the cutting edges during lifting, creating some turbidity. Gravel does not flow as readily and may not fill completely because particles interlock — operators improve fill by lowering with a slight wiggling motion to help the shells settle into the gravel bed. Wear-resistant cutting edges are important because abrasive gravel accelerates edge wear.
3. Clay and compacted bottom material
Hard clay and compacted silt are the most challenging because they do not flow readily and may resist penetration. The operator may need to use the arm’s downforce to push the shells in or use a repeated open-close motion to break up the compacted layer before grabbing. Once penetrated and closed, the dense clay holds securely and releases cleanly. The key is patience — forcing the shells too hard can stress the hinge and cylinder assembly.
4. Debris and mixed material
Many dredging sites contain mixed material — silt, sand, gravel, clay, plus branches, rocks and trash. The strong shells and high clamping force handle irregular debris along with sediment, but large hard objects that will not fit between the shells should be avoided to prevent cutting-edge damage or shell bending.
How to Choose the Right Clamshell Grab Bucket
Choosing the wrong bucket costs time and money. Too small and you make extra cycles. Too heavy and your excavator struggles. The YG series clamshell bucket for excavator offers four models. The choice comes down to matching the bucket to your excavator, your material, and your job.
1. Start with your excavator size.
The excavator determines which bucket you can use. Each model is matched to a specific excavator weight class.
| Model | Excavator Size | Weight | Opening |
| YGCS04 | 7-11T | 800kg | 1000mm |
| YGCS06 | 12-18T | 1200kg | 1500mm |
| YGCS08 | 18-25T | 2000kg | 2200mm |
| YGCS10 | 26-35T | 2300kg | 2300mm |
A bucket that is too heavy for your excavator reduces stability and reach. A bucket that is too light underutilizes the machine’s hydraulic capacity. Match the bucket to the excavator first—everything else follows.
2. Consider your material.
The material type determines whether a hydraulic clamshell bucket is the right tool.
Sand, gravel, crushed rock, coal → Clamshell bucket is ideal. The shells close around loose material and hold it securely.
Mixed demolition debris → Clamshell bucket works well. The opening width accommodates irregular shapes.
3. Check your hydraulic flow and pressure.
Each clamshell grab bucket model requires specific hydraulic flow and pressure. The YGCS04 hydraulic clamshell bucket needs 190 lpm at 180 bar. The YGCS10 needs 240 lpm at 250 bar. If your excavator cannot supply the required flow or pressure, the bucket will not operate at full capacity.
4. Opening size matters.
The opening determines how much material the bucket grabs in one cycle. 1000mm is sufficient for most light material handling. 2300mm allows large-volume grabs and handling of bulky debris. Choose the opening that matches your typical material size and required cycle time.
The decision path:
- Check your excavator’s weight class → pick the matching model
- Confirm your excavator’s hydraulic flow and pressure → ensure it meets the model’s requirements
- Consider your material type → confirm a clamshell bucket is the right tool
- Consider your typical material size → choose the opening that gives you efficient cycles
If you are still unsure, send us your excavator model and material type. We will recommend the right clamshell bucket for excavator. No guesswork. No pressure.
Clamshell Grab Bucket For Sale
If you need a hydraulic clamshell bucket that grabs and holds bulk materials securely, the YG series provides proven performance. Contact us with your excavator model and typical material type. We will recommend the right excavator clamshell bucket for your operation. Get a free quote for your clamshell grab bucket today.
