Replacing excavator bucket shanks

liberty2701 · Jun 7, 2018

I am going to replace the shanks on my excavator bucket. The previous owner operated without teeth at times and wore them down quite a bit. I am going to replace them with H@L shanks and H@L teeth. The shank with the missing tooth has a hard time keeping on the tooth. The weld will break after a while since basically the shank is not holding the tooth at all. This is the only one that comes off. All the pressure is on the weld. I am tired of losing teeth on the shank. I plan on cutting off the shanks with my torch and then preheating and welding on the new ones using 1/8" 7018 ac rods. Any tips on this project?
Maybe I should look towards a new bucket like this bucket , 24" fits excavator or loader backhoe 14-16 lbs.

274-ZW-23 | Hltooth
23HD-5 | Hltooth

Rustyiron · Jun 7, 2018

It might be a "wash" as far as the amount of labor needed to just cut off the whole edge and replace it along with new shanks & covers vs. your plan. You'd have close to a new bucket. For my situation, I might just run it as it is until winter, and do this project then, with a little more time to build up other wear surfaces that need it. :thumbsup:
Do a thread on your project, you know we love pics.

liberty2701 · Jun 7, 2018

I forgot to mention the cost of the parts are $175. Just not sure if it is worth it on the old bucket. 5 teeth and shanks.

What do you think of trying one more tooth on that shank and wrapping three layers of weld all around the tooth? Weld it until I cannot see the tooth anymore. LOL

Shield Arc · Jun 7, 2018

Do you have a carbon arc? A carbon arc would make quick work of this project.

liberty2701 · Jun 7, 2018

No I do not

Big Barn · Jun 7, 2018

Shield Arc said:
Do you have a carbon arc? A carbon arc would make quick work of this project.

Here's a pic of my exothermic lance. It would also work.

To the OP: Personally I would sell your old bucket and buy NEW like the one posted in your link.

Shield Arc · Jun 7, 2018

liberty2701 said:
No I do not

Personally, I won't carbon arc with any of my welders. I would rent one first! Over the years I have put the hurt on welders carbon arcing with them. I've had the leads jump 2-feet off the ground when I would strike an arc.

Big Barn · Jun 7, 2018

Shield Arc said:
Personally, I won't carbon arc with any of my welders. I would rent one first! Over the years I have put the hurt on welders carbon arcing with them. I've had the leads jump 2-feet off the ground when I would strike an arc.

Because a a good portion of his business involves rebuilding buckets, my friend Matt has a BIG old transformer welder as a dedicated power source for carbon arc cutting in his shop.

When the engine drive unit on his shop truck was in for repairs I lent him one of mine. He informed his customers he would be UNABLE to do any on-site air arc temporarily and they would have to bring the repair job to his shop if they wished.

liberty2701 · Jun 8, 2018

I decided to give it another try with another tooth. I welded up the shank some with 7018 rod to ensure a tighter fit on the tooth. I then did 3 passes all around with 7018. We will see what happens.

liberty2701 · Jun 14, 2018

So far the tooth is holding.
I have another question. Can I weld some more hard facing over existing hard facing to build it up some more? any special prep other than preheating?