Cannabis Bucker Buyer's Guide

Inform your decision

Cannabis Buckers

Choosing the best cannabis and hemp bucking machine for your cultivation operation is critically important. The wrong bucker can slow your harvesting process, damage your product, and waste time and money. Choosing the right bucker will drive efficiency, reduce labor costs, and contribute to a higher-quality, more consistent end product.

We created the 2022 Edition of the Complete Cannabis and Hemp Bucker Buyer’s Guide to arm you with all the information you need to make an informed purchasing decision for your operation.

With a rapidly changing industry, we update this guide on a continual basis. You’ll find basic criteria to help you compare the various models, manufacturers, and KPIs of each cannabis and hemp bucker on the market.

Prefer to just look at the high-level numbers? Jump right to our Bucker Comparison Table, which includes all major cannabis and hemp bucker models available in 2022.

Section 1:

Product Feed Rate

THE FIRST THING TO CONSIDER WHEN PURCHASING A BUCKER IS THE FEED RATE
(HOW FAST THE BUCKER PROCESSES THE PLANT MATERIAL.)

The first thing to consider when purchasing a bucker is the feed rate – how fast the bucker processes the plant material. A bucker’s feed rate is more dependent on workflow, clogging, and personnel than it is on the machine. Most buckers can only go as fast as the operator.

It’s more important to find a machine that can process very slowly for dry plant bucking (or more sensitive strains) but can also combine consistent higher speeds for wet bucking larger outdoor stocks.

You also need to consider the feed rate of your trimming equipment and try to match that speed with your bucking process. You don’t need a bucking system to blast through your entire harvest in one hour, only to have the plant material sit in bins for 10 hours while a low-volume trimmer chips away at the product.

Opt for a bucker that can process your estimated harvest size easily.
Match your bucking feed rate to your trimming feed rate.
If you have a large trimming capacity (for example, Mobius M108S Trimmer users), consider multiple bucker units.
Choose a bucker that has variable processing speed for workflow flexibility.

Section: 2

Waste handling

Waste material (stems) can be problematic to move and dispose of after bucking. They pile up quickly and are difficult to condense into manageable bundles.

Some large-scale processors use a stem chipper alongside their bucker. A stem chipper does exactly what you’d imagine; it breaks the long stems up into small pieces. It’s the same idea as the wood chipper you saw in the movie Fargo, except much smaller (and not ideal for breaking down bodies for disposal.)

We recommend choosing a cannabis bucker that has an integrated stem chipper.

Remember: One bag of chipped stems is roughly equivalent to 25 bags of un-chipped material.
The Mobius MBX Bucker is the only cannabis and hemp bucker on the market that has an integrated stem-chipper.

Section 3:

Health & Safety

The health and safety of harvesting staff are important, and buckers can be dangerous without proper safety features built-in to their design.

Look for a bucker that is compliant with CSA or OSHA standards. That means it must have safety guarding that keeps hands and fingers away from anything dangerous, as well as protects users from getting loose clothing pulled into the machine.

Protect your staff (and your business) by choosing a cannabis and hemp bucker that has safety guarding and casing.

Section 4:

Customizable / Interchangeable Die Plates

A die plate on a cannabis bucker is a steel plate that attaches to the front of the machine to support the bud and leaf as the stem is pulled away. It also acts as a barrier between the feed rolls and the operator.

Most die plates feature a series of holes ranging in size to accommodate different size stems. To achieve the best buck with the least damage, it is important to feed the stem through the smallest available hole possible. This ensures a clean buck with the least bud deformation.

Not all die plates work for all stem sizes or plant characteristics, which is why it’s important to be able to change the feed plate for further customization of your bucker to your workflow.

Keep several different sizes of feed plates on hand to better customize your bucker for each batch or harvest.
Always keep a backup die plate for critical redundancy.
Consider a die plate with several different hole sizes to ensure a tight fit of each stem and enhanced functionality.
Some die plates are made specifically to allow two operators to use a single bucker at the same time.

Section 5:

Product Flow — Front Panel Funnel

Your bucking machine removes the flowers or buds from the stems. Then what?

Many buckers simply allow the flowers to fall straight down. In this case, you need a large, wide tote underneath to catch the product, and it can create a mess because of the distance the material falls.

We recommend choosing a cannabis bucker that has a front panel funnel to help direct each flower to the right place. If you’re considering using conveyors in your product flow, having a front panel funnel is essential to direct the product cleanly onto the conveyor. It will also contribute to a cleaner work environment and reduce product loss from spills.

Front panel funnels can reduce product loss.
If you plan to use conveyors, front panel funnels are required.

Section 6:

indoor vs. outdoor use

Will you be using your cannabis and hemp bucker primarily indoors or outdoors? Or both?

If you’re going to be using the bucker outdoors, it’s important it has wheels that will allow you to roll easily across the outdoor terrain, whether that be muddy, bumpy, or rocky.

If you’ll be using your bucking unit primarily indoors, you want large castors that will move smoothly across concrete floors.

Consider a bucker that has an option for different wheel or tire types to match your use environment.
For best flexibility, choose a bucker that has wheels that can be changed to accommodate both indoor and outdoor use.

Section 7:

Cleaning & GMP

Cannabis and hemp processing equipment gets dirty and sticky, especially when processing wet material. Wet cannabis material can build up and clog the rollers and faceplate, so they need to be cleaned between batches.

That’s why it’s important that the cannabis and hemp bucker you choose is easy to assemble and disassemble. Quick and easy cleaning also means the bucking machine is more likely to fit into a GMP-compliant workflow.

Look for a bucker that can be disassembled with as few tools as possible.
Stainless steel construction is important for durability and easy cleaning.

Section 8:

Top Buckers Comparison Table

When you choose the best hemp and cannabis bucker for your commercial cannabis facility, you are investing in the efficiency of your operations. It’s important to choose one that is going to not just fit in your current workflow but improve it. If you have questions about cannabis and hemp buckers, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Mobius.

To schedule a pressure-free virtual demo of the Mobius MBX Bucker, please fill out the form below. Our customer service team is based in North America and can answer any questions about our products and quality assurance.

MACHINE MACHINE CONSTRUCTIONS FACEPLATE CONSTRUCTION FRAME INCLUDED FRAME CONSTRUCTION FEED ROLL MATERIAL VARIABLE SPEED CSA & OHSA Guarding Compliant Integrated Stalk Chipper Feed Roller HP Indoor Wheel Outhoor Wheel Advertised Throughput (WET) MSRP (USD) Crating & Freight
MOBIUS MBX BUCKER 6061 Aluminum/ Stainless Steel Stainless Steel Yes Stainless Steel Cast Urethane Yes Yes Yes 1/2 HP Yes Option 150 LBS/HR $22,400 Included
TRIMINATOR BUCKMASTER 6061 Aluminum/ Stainless Steel Stainless Steel Yes Mild Steel Rubber Yes No No 1 HP Option Yes 150 LBS/HR $12,995 Included
TRIMINATOR BUCKMASTER PRO 6061 Aluminum/ Stainless Steel Stainless Steel Yes Mild Steel Rubber Yes No No 1 HP Option Yes 300 LBS/HR $19,995 Included
MUNCH MACHINE MOTHER BUCKER Mild Steel Stainless Steel Yes Mild Steel Neoprene Yes No No 1/2 HP Yes Option 150 LBS/HR $19,900 Extra
MUNCH MACHINE DOUBLE BUCKER Mild Steel Stainless Steel Yes Mild Steel Neoprene Yes No No 1/2 HP Yes Option 300 LBS/HR $35,900 Extra
CENTURION PRO HP1 6061 Aluminum/ Stainless Steel Stainless Steel Add $1,895 USD Mild Steel Rubber Yes No No 3/4 HP
Included with frame option
$399 MSRP 175 LBS/HR $12,495 Included
CENTURION PRO HP3 6061 Aluminum/ Stainless Steel Stainless Steel Yes Mild Steel Rubber Yes No No 3/4 HP Yes No 500 LBS/HR $24,995 Included
CENTURION PRO GC1 6061 Aluminum/ Stainless Steel Stainless Steel Add $1,895 USD Mild Steel n/a No No Yes 1/4 HP
Included with frame option
$399 Msrp 40 LBS/HR $5,276 Included
CENTURION PRO GC3 6061 Aluminum/ Stainless Steel Stainless Steel Yes Mild Steel n/a No No Yes 1/4 HP Yes No 120 LBS/HR $13,196 Included
TWISTER B4 6061 Aluminum/ Stainless Steel Stainless Steel Add $2,000 USD Mild Steel Neoprene Rubber Yes No No 1 HP Yes No 150 LBS/HR $21,911 Included
TRIMPRO THE BUCKER 6061 Aluminum/ Stainless Steel Stainless Steel Yes Mild Steel Rubber Yes No No Not Available No No Not Available $4,950 Extra
EZTRIM EXPREP BUCKER 6061 Aluminum/ Stainless Steel Stainless Steel Add $1,000 USD 6061 Aluminum Silicone Yes No No 1/3 HP
Included with frame option
Add $2,000 1 plant / 1-5 Minutes $7,000 Extra
GREENRIDGE HARVESTING BLACK BEAR II Stainless Steel Stainless Steel Yes Mild Steel Not Available Yes No No 1/2 HP No No 75 LBS/HR $8,750 Included
MASTER BUCKER MB BUCKER 500 Stainless steel Stainless Steel Yes Stainless Steel Not Available Yes No No 1 HP No Yes 143 LBS/HR Not Available in North America
BUDTENDER BUCKER Mild Steel Mild Steel Yes Mild Steel Not Available Yes No No 1 HP Yes No Not Available $14,500 Extra
TRIMWORKZ ULTIMATE BUD BUCKER MACHINE Stainless Steel Stainless Steel Yes Stainless Steel Rubber Yes No No Not Available Yes No 250-300 LBS/HR $13,050 Extra
TRIMWORKZ ULTIMATE BUD MACHINE BUCKER XL Stainless Steel Stainless Steel Yes Stainless Steel Rubber Yes No No Not Available Yes No 500-600 LBS/HR $22,500 Extra
OX BOX BUCKING MACHINE 6061 Aluminum Stainless Steel Yes Mild Steel Rubber Yes No No 3/4 HP Yes No 90 LBS/HR $11,000 Included
VZ-TEC EASY BUCKER VZ1000 Powder-Coated Steel Powder-Coated Steel Yes Powder-Coated Steel Poly Brushes Yes No No 2 x 1 HP Yes No 1000 LBS/HR (DRY) $26,500 Included
VZ-TEC EASY BUCKER VZ500 Powder-Coated Steel Powder-Coated Steel Yes Powder-Coated Steel Poly Brushes Yes No No 2 x 1 HP No No 500 LBS/HR (DRY) $22,000 Included
HORIZON HARVESTING BOULDER 2019 304 Stainless Steel 304 Stainless Steel No n/a All Steel Traction No No No Not Available No No 160 LBS/HR per/iris $17,000 Included
LOCUST INDUSTRIAL VD-1480 BUCKING MACHINE Powder-Coated Stainless Steel Powder-Coated Stainless Steel Yes Powder-Coated Stainless Steel Steel Yes No No 4 HP Yes Optional 200 LBS/HR $19,500 Included
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