Dipper Stick snapped in half

[Redbug]

What do you think it weighs?

 

[JB4310]

That should be a very successful repair, once you took the weight off it it practically fell back into it's proper place/alignment. I don't see why the weld shop would try to scare you by saying it might not hold up, sure I understand if they don't guarantee it, but it should be a lifetime repair.

Would of been very simple field/ home repair for someone who wanted to go that route, easier than it looked when it was spread, gaping open.
Even with it off the machine I would not cut it in 2 pcs just to start over again aligning it, like some have mentioned, weld the clean 3 sides then beat the top down to get some platting there.

Do you know what it will cost at the shop? So far this has not been that painful for you, after the initial shock that is.

JB.

 

[LD1]

What do you think it weighs?

I am guessing about 300#

 

[EddieWalker]

Dave,

I had my dad set it down in the bed of my truck, then spent the next ten minutes getting him lined up to push it all the way in so it hit my tool box. The reason it took ten minutes is that we have a different idea of what up and down is, and what forward and backwards are. Then there was the missconmunication issues of when to stop lowering the loader and not touch it again after I said it was in the right position. He is very helpful, but we just don't speak the same language!!!!!

I debated over pushing it onto it's side, but I really liked how the holes worked for holding it tight against the tool box. I guess the picture doesn't show it, but the straps are anchored in front of the holes, and the tighter I got them, the more pressure they put on keeping the dipper tight against the tool box.

I try to do a good job with my loads. I had a Class A liscense and did local delivery and pickup in the SF East Bay for years. Securing the load is the drivers responsiblity, and I take it seriously.

Jim,

We had a nice storm come through on Sunday night that gave me a full inch of rain. It was expected and I bought and planted 5 pounds of hulled bermuda seed on Saturday to get the area around my gazebo planted. I don't know when it will rain again, but that storm was sure appreciated!!!!!

As for the weight, I don't have a clue. It was smaller and lighter then I had thought it would be once it came apart. I let it intimidate me when it first happened, and once I got started on it, the entire process became pretty simple and straight forward. Having a plan before hand, and not starting it until I had a plan, also really helped me out.

Thanks,
Eddie

 

[wedge40]

Dave,

I had my dad set it down in the bed of my truck, then spent the next ten minutes getting him lined up to push it all the way in so it hit my tool box. The reason it took ten minutes is that we have a different idea of what up and down is, and what forward and backwards are. Then there was the missconmunication issues of when to stop lowering the loader and not touch it again after I said it was in the right position. He is very helpful, but we just don't speak the same language!!!!!

I debated over pushing it onto it's side, but I really liked how the holes worked for holding it tight against the tool box. I guess the picture doesn't show it, but the straps are anchored in front of the holes, and the tighter I got them, the more pressure they put on keeping the dipper tight against the tool box.

I try to do a good job with my loads. I had a Class A liscense and did local delivery and pickup in the SF East Bay for years. Securing the load is the drivers responsiblity, and I take it seriously.

Jim,

We had a nice storm come through on Sunday night that gave me a full inch of rain. It was expected and I bought and planted 5 pounds of hulled bermuda seed on Saturday to get the area around my gazebo planted. I don't know when it will rain again, but that storm was sure appreciated!!!!!

As for the weight, I don't have a clue. It was smaller and lighter then I had thought it would be once it came apart. I let it intimidate me when it first happened, and once I got started on it, the entire process became pretty simple and straight forward. Having a plan before hand, and not starting it until I had a plan, also really helped me out.

Thanks,
Eddie

Ya they can be pain in the back side at times Eddie..But you'll miss these times when he's gone.

I hope you get photos of putting it back ON!!!

Maybe I can talk to Murphy and make sure he's out of town that day.
Seems like him and I are always running into each other.

Wedge

 

[Short Game]

Maybe I can talk to Murphy and make sure he's out of town that day.
Seems like him and I are always running into each other.

You should join up to the One True Religion (the one I started): Murphyism!

It is the only religion whose mystical properties are empirically provable. I would have already gotten it officially recognized and tax-free, except I keep running into Myrphy's Seventh Law:

"Whatever it is that you wish to do, you'll have to do something else first."​

 

[sandman2234]

I think Eddie added the OSB sheets to slow that Chevy down so he didn't have to worry about quick starts throwing the dipper arm out the back after busting the straps.
David from jax

Waiting on pictures of it finished, before and after paint... Edddie!!

 

[EddieWalker]

I think Eddie added the OSB sheets to slow that Chevy down...

Did you just call my F250 a Chevy?

Just kidding
Eddie

 

[ultrarunner]

Eddie... did Lew's ballpark the price for you?

I think you earned a discount for giving Lew's Welding Service of Tyler national and international exposure...

 

[JB4310]

Eddie... did Lew's ballpark the price for you?

I think you deserve a discount for giving Lew's Welding Service of Tyler national and international exposure...

Yeah I was thinking along the same line, he should tell them they better do a good job, since this has become an Internet sensation

JB

 

[Short Game]

...this has become an Internet sensation

JB

Yeah, and just wait until Geraldo learns that some guy got his dipper stick busted (and it was his dad who did it)!

 

[mjncad]

Holy crap Eddie. I hope your Dad gives you an advance on your inheritance to cover the repairs.

I think you made the right decision to take it to a shop for repairs.

 

[sandman2234]

Did you just call my F250 a Chevy?

Just kidding
Eddie

Color looks just like my Chevy, so I just ASSUMED...
I can't seem to get anything right these days...
David from jax

 

[jenkinsph]

Eddie,
Sorry about your problems with your dipper stick.

Just a thought but you might wan't to consider lowering the relief pressure on the hydraulics while your dad is using the hoe.

 

[jinman]

Yesterday, I was taking down a dead (almost dead) water elm tree beside a creek. (Sorry, no pictures. . . I know, I know...) Anyhow, my LB75B has fairly new teeth and I was ripping out feeder roots so I could just ease the tree over. I found some roots 4"-6" in diameter and they were stong enough that I popped the front wheels and loader bucket into the air with my backhoe. I didn't have the bucket loaded, but my 4wd front end is a bit heavier than a 2wd. Anyhow, I used the teeth to "chew" the roots a bit so they were weak enough to pop out of the ground. Because of Eddie's problems, I was very conscious of the shock loads to the BH and especially the pivot bearings right at the tractor. Once I got the tree pushed over, it had huge root ball filled with dirt. I used the bucket to clear out some of the dirt and then got the bright idea to hook my bucket over the root ball near the base of the tree trunk and bury the teeth. Then, I turned my seat, lifted the outriggers, and drove my tractor while towing the tree and rootball impaled on the BH bucket. It made the front wheels so light that I couldn't steer, so I used brake steering to hold my line.

Looking back, I suspect my dipper was under some tremendous stress to break just like Eddie's. I think "stunts" like that and slamming the bucket into hard soil are probably pretty hard on these machines. It's so easy to move a control stick that you just don't realize how much force is being applied by the hydraulics.

 

[4shorts]

That's actually not a bad repair job. Any reputable welding/fabrication shop could handle that. Yes it looks bad but it really isn't. If I went out in the shop in the morning and saw that in the yard I'd tell the wife I got a nice day ahead of me and you'd be bringing it home that evening or early the next day. Good luck.

 

[EddieWalker]

I've been relying on Lew's for all my repairs since I realized that my welding skills are rather limited. There is a point where I'm just not experienced enough to make two pieces of metal stay together when they are under extreme loads. Instead of taking the time to learn how, I just hire it out and use my time to do other things that I am capable of.

Lew's was recomended to me by several local business's that require welding from time to time, and their reputation is solid. Their prices are fair, and more importantly, they will get to it and it will get done. I've wasted months on the "cheaper" guys, and still didn't get it done. I didn't ask for a price, or a timeline. It will be what it is, when it is.

I have been looking over the boom, and found two small, hairline cracks. I need to really clean it up and look closer. I'm debating wether to weld them up myself or call in a portable welder to do it up. Both cracks are less then three inches long, tight, and on opossite sides of the boom. Both welds will have to be on the side of the boom, so either straight up, or if I lower the boom, sideways.

I'll post pictures of the cracks in a little while.

Thank you,
Eddie

 

[JB4310]

then got the bright idea to hook my bucket over the root ball near the base of the tree trunk and bury the teeth. Then, I turned my seat, lifted the outriggers, and drove my tractor while towing the tree and rootball impaled on the BH bucket. It made the front wheels so light that I couldn't steer, so I used brake steering to hold my line.

Looking back, I suspect my dipper was under some tremendous stress to break just like Eddie's. I think "stunts" like that and slamming the bucket into hard soil are probably pretty hard on these machines. It's so easy to move a control stick that you just don't realize how much force is being applied by the hydraulics.

I don't think your dipper was in danger of breaking in that situation.
That sounds like a fairly static load, you need some crazy dynamics to break a stick in half like that. I think Eddie mentioned Hammering with the hoe.

I could see that breakage happening, with the boom and stick extended, coming down hard with the bucket hitting the ground.

JB

 

[jake98]

It's a good visual lesson on why not to do that.. thanks for edgamakatin' us Eddie

 

[bindian]

I've been relying on Lew's for all my repairs since I realized that my welding skills are rather limited. There is a point where I'm just not experienced enough to make two pieces of metal stay together when they are under extreme loads. Instead of taking the time to learn how, I just hire it out and use my time to do other things that I am capable of.

Thank you,
Eddie

It takes a wise man to admit his shortcomings.
hugs, Brandi