Dipper Stick snapped in half

[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